Job Description

About this Job
Office of Juvenile Justice
Central Office
State Police Bldg. 1st Floor
7919 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is committed to protecting the public by providing safe and effective individualized services to youth, who will become productive, law-abiding citizens.
The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is seeking an internal, committed Probation and Parole Program Specialist - Juvenile. The Probation and Parole Program Specialist - Juvenile plays a key role in strengthening Louisiana's juvenile justice system. This position leads program evaluations, ensures quality improvement across services, and supports evidence-based practices that make a lasting impact on youth and communities.
Minimum Qualifications
Four years of experience as a probation or parole officer, or in counseling, psychology, social work, education, criminal justice, or administrative services plus one of the following:
1. Three years of experience in corrections or law enforcement
2. Three years of continuous active military duty (all Military Occupational Specialties apply)
3. Six years of full-time experience in any field
4. A bachelor's degree
OR
Three years of experience as a probation or parole officer, or in counseling, psychology, social work, education, criminal justice, or administrative services plus a master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, education, business administration, public administration, or a criminal justice field.
EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
An applicant who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or a felony, or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from the disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted.
Possession of a current Louisiana driver's license.
This position may require the incumbent to handle and carry firearms.
Successful completion of the Corrections Juvenile Services-Agent Curriculum.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
The Probation and Parole Program Specialist - Juvenile serves as a subject matter expert in program evaluation and quality assurance for the Office of Juvenile Justice.
Key responsibilities include:

• Program Evaluation & Quality Assurance (50%)

• Lead the identification, implementation, and monitoring of evidence-based practices across juvenile probation and parole programs.
• Research and consult with policy staff to strengthen operational guidelines, contractual agreements, and agency procedures.
• Develop and oversee quality assurance standards, performance metrics, and outcome reporting for executive leadership.
• Provide expert consultation on community-based services contracts, ensuring alignment with agency mission and best practices.

• Program Monitoring & Reporting (20%)

• Conduct evaluations of secure and non-secure residential treatment programs using the Correctional Program Checklist (CPC).
• Prepare comprehensive evaluation reports with recommendations for program and service improvements.
• Document corrective actions, track compliance, and conduct follow-up site visits to ensure accountability.
• Maintain accurate records of program performance and outcomes for agency review.

• Contract Oversight & Training (20%)

• Design and implement contract monitoring tools to assess provider performance.
• Analyze contract data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Train OJJ staff, facility personnel, and contracted providers on quality assurance tools, monitoring procedures, and performance standards.
• Assist in drafting requests for proposals (RFPs) for intervention programs and services, and participate in scoring contractor submissions.

• Compliance, Audits & Other Duties (10%)

• Support the ACA Manager in preparing for American Correctional Association (ACA) audits.
• Attend all required agency training sessions to maintain compliance and professional development.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support agency operations and strategic initiatives.

Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: This is a full-time, promotional posting for current Office of Juvenile Justice employees serving with permanent status. Permanent employees may be required to serve a probational period
Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group. Work Location: The position may be housed at the Office of Juvenile Justice Central Office or at the Probation and Parole regional office closest to the chosen applicant's home address.
Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c).
The Office of Juvenile Justice will receive a list of eligible applicants ONLY from the people who respond to this posting.
In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of Juvenile Justice to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to be considered for employment.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

The Office of Juvenile Justice is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide.
If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you will need special accommodations.
NOTE: Prior to an appointment, the selected applicant must take and pass a drug screening test, possess a valid Louisiana Driver's License and clear a background check.
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Garilyn London
OJJ/ Human Resources
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement - State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (

). LASERS has provided this to give you more detailed information about their system * Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (
), * Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (
), among others

Skills Required