Job#OMF-51390-2.13.26-KGB
This position is located within the Office of Management and Finance in the Human Resources Department.Ready to make a meaningful impact on Louisiana’s workforce and organizational culture? Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) as a Human Resources Professional! Support the agency’s mission by driving effective talent management, enhancing employee engagement, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and strengthening organizational development initiatives.
Grow your career with opportunities in leadership, professional development, and specialized HR certifications.
Why Join Us?
Play a key role in building a strong, inclusive, and high-performance culture
Move beyond traditional HR — be a change leader and trusted advisor
Collaborate with passionate teams in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment
Enjoy autonomy, visibility, and the chance to make real organizational impact
Grow your career while helping others grow theirs
LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.
Eight years of human resources experience; OR
Six years of full-time experience in any field plus five years of human resources experience; OR
A bachelor’s degree plus five years of human resources experience; OR
An advanced degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, industrial and organizational psychology, organizational behavior, or a Juris Doctorate plus four years of human resources experience.
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.
Designation as a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) will substitute for a maximum of one year of the required experience.
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found
here.
Job duties:
This position leads and directs all human resources operations for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) which is a large, complex, and highly visible state agency. The HR program supports approximately 525 full-time positions, plus about 50 additional unclassified and classified WAE (part-time, temporary) positions when employed. The department also provides HR services to Soil and Water District offices statewide, which employ approximately 255 staff.
Employees are located across the State of Louisiana, with about 60% working in field offices (or primarily out in the field). This role ensures that all HR programs and decisions comply with Civil Service rules, state and federal laws, and department policies
- Administers and directs the departmental Classification and Compensation Program. Develops, implements, and amends classification and compensation policies.
- Directs classification and/or pay studies, surveys, and analyses, initiates SER's and other recruiting/retention tools.
- Participates in manpower planning activities designed to determine proper size and level of staffing and the most advantageous and efficient organizational configuration for existing and new sections/units.
- Ensures compliance with Civil Service mandates which requires job description updates to reflect most current job duties.
- Meets with budget unit heads and managers to discuss the organization of new units and reorganization of existing units.
- Administers and directs the Employee Administration program for LDAF.
- Consults with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners and Directors, regulatory agencies, HR Staff and employees regarding HR issues, State Civil Service rules, policies, pay computations, staffing issues related to LACareers postings and eligible lists, and other HR management issues and relays information to staff.
- Ensures compliance with Civil Service Commission rules and regulations, departmental policies, and procedures as well as state and federal laws on all personnel and payroll actions.
- Administers and directs the departmental Employee Relations Program, including Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Crisis Leave, Employee Assistance and Grievance programs.
- Develops and amends the agency's written policies and procedures in accordance with federal regulations and state guidelines, and Civil Service Commission rules and regulations.
- Directs the approval process of FMLA and Crisis Leave donations and requests and provides guidance over the crisis leave pools.
Represents LDAF at Civil Service Commission meetings and provides information to board members in support or opposition of HR/Departmental related issues. Represents the Department in court subpoenas duces tectum for production of and testimony on personnel and pay records.
Responds during emergency operations to ensure time (payroll) is processed and employees receive accurate compensation.
Track all sign in sheets and time sheets for reconciliation prior to payment of overtime. Provide overtime estimates to the Deputy Commissioner. Complete force account labor account reports.
Prepares and disseminates information to employees. Attends meetings, reviews incoming informational material, reviews, and interprets new or revised rules, policies, and procedures.
Oversees and completes special projects for the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner of Management & Finance, Deputy Undersecretary and Commissioner and routinely provides information, analyses and recommendations as needed on a wide variety of HR issues and topics. Prepares correspondence for same executives' signature on HR issues. Serves as liaison with State Civil Service and other regulatory agencies.
Counsel's employees, supervisors, managers, and executive staff on SCS rules and regulations and employment laws (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.)
Performs other related duties as assigned.
This position may drive a state vehicle and must possess a valid driver's license. Statewide travel to LDAF offices may be required.
Functional Requirements:
- Prolonged sitting at workstation
- Sit over a long period of time at workstation or in a vehicle for travel
- Drive a vehicle to various work locations statewide
- Lifting items such as tools, computer, scanner, luggage, or other items used to travel and perform duties/attend class throughout the state
Environmental Factors:
- Working indoors and occasionally outdoors
Position-Specific Details: Appointment Type: - Full-time- this position may be filled by probation or by promotion of a classified employee of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry serving with permanent status.
- Applicants who are not permanent employees of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will be required to serve a probationary period up to 24 months.
- Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
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 this job title 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 on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
For further information about this vacancy, contact:Tiffany Waddell- HR Analyst
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
twaddell@ldaf.state.la.us
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.
