Spotlight State Civil Service March 2025
#3 Issue
The Spotlight's Mission is to foster meaningful communication with all stakeholders of the State Civil Service System.
Every Day For Every Citizen
Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., Director
Director's Message
At the heart of state government work is a simple but profound purpose: to serve our citizens and improve lives. Each of us, no matter our role, contributes to that mission whether it’s by providing essential services, supporting critical programs, or ensuring that our agencies run smoothly. This shared commitment unites us and gives deeper meaning to our daily work. The Louisiana State Charitable Campaign (LA SCCC) offers us another way to live out that mission. Showing support
• Excellent Compliance Audits • State Civil Service Recent Awards • State Civil Service Division Highlights • OGB Open Enrollment Meetings In this Issue:
for this campaign can extend our impact beyond our offices and into
communities across the state. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps local nonprofits provide food, shelter, health services, education, and hope to our neighbors in need. In many ways, giving through the campaign is an extension of what we already strive to do as public servants. By going the extra step, we not only strengthen the lives of others but also affirm the values of compassion, commitment, and community that define us as a workforce. This fall, I encourage you to reflect on the ways your work already touches lives and to consider how participating in the charitable campaign can multiply that impact. Together, through both our service and our giving, we embody the mission of state government: improving the lives of the people of Louisiana. To learn more about how you can make
a difference visit: LASCCC.org or contact your agency’s human resources department. Thank you for all you do, every day for every citizen, to serve our state with purpose. Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., State Civil Service Director
civilservice.louisiana.gov | jobs.la.gov | scsinfo@civilservice.la.gov
Louisiana Recognized for Transforming Hiring in State Government
In recognition of its innovative hiring practices, Louisiana State Civil Service received the prestigious 2025 Advancing the HR Profession Award from the National Association of State Personnel Executives. The 2025 Advancing the HR Profession Award was presented to the department in recognition of its innovative State Civil Service Hiring Framework. This modern, skills- first approach reimagines talent acquisition by prioritizing individuals’ competencies and capabilities over traditional credentials alone. The framework empowers HR professionals and hiring managers to more accurately evaluate candidate potential by clearly defining and emphasizing job-relevant skills. The SCS Hiring Framework also simplifies the application process for job seekers, particularly those with qualifications gained through nontraditional or alternative pathways. Developed in response to challenges with traditional hiring methods, especially the over-reliance on pre-employment test scores that often narrowed the applicant pool and overlooked qualified individuals, the framework marks a significant shift toward a more inclusive, effective, and forward-thinking hiring process.
“Together, our team has built a Hiring Framework that not only strengthens how we hire across state government but also demonstrates the power of thoughtful, mission-driven human resources. To be recognized by NASPE affirms our commitment to innovation in Louisiana state government and the impact of putting people and skills at the center of the hiring process .”
Read the full Media Release
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2025
Excellent Compliance Audits
State Civil Service would like to commend Department of Corrections-Prison Enterprises for achieving a perfect Compliance Audit. This agency achieved 100% compliance in all categories audited.
Teresa Davis, Department of Corrections HR Director, and Brooke Farrar, Prison Enterprises Assistant Deputy Director
State Civil Service would also like to commend several agencies for an excellent Compliance Audit. These agencies achieved 90% compliance or higher in all categories audited, had no areas of concern, and no major rule violations. Congratulations to Department of Public Safety and Corrections-Corrections Services, Dixon Correctional Institute, Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, and Raymond Laborde Correctional Center. The results received by these agencies show the value and importance of excellence they place on Civil Service rule compliance. They are to be commended for a job well done!
State Civil Service has updated the agency's email system. All SCS employee email addresses will now be formatted as " firstname.lastname@civilservice.la.gov ." All la.gov mail sent will be forwarded in the short term.
Reminder
Louisiana State Civil Service and the Recruiting & Outreach Center will be closed for the following upcoming holidays:
11 Nov.
Veterans Day Holiday
Subscriptions
General Circulars
27 Nov.
Thanksgiving Holiday
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2025
OGB Annual Enrollment Informational Meetings
Annual Enrollment for the 2026 plan year begins October 1, 2025, and runs through November 15, 2025. Virtual Informational Meetings: Annual Enrollment informational meetings for Active Employees and Rehired Retirees will be held virtually via Zoom this year. Please plan to attend a session that best fits your schedule. Zoom links for the sessions are included below.
Date
Location
Start Time
https://la-ogb.zoom.us/j/96439646352 https://la-ogb.zoom.us/j/96949654455 https://la-ogb.zoom.us/j/97930902918 https://la-ogb.zoom.us/j/97498532500 https://la-ogb.zoom.us/j/93469948890 https://la-ogb.zoom.us/j/94045031411
Sept. 23 Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Sept. 25
9:00 AM 2:00 PM 9:00 AM 2:00 PM 9:00 AM 2:00 PM
Enrollment Guide Availability: The 2026 Enrollment Guide for Active Employees and Rehired Retirees will be available soon on the OGB Annual Enrollment website, which is currently being updated. OGB will distribute a follow-up memo once the website has been fully updated with the 2026 plan year information. IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you wish to remain enrolled in your current OGB health plan with the same covered dependents for the 2026 plan year, no action is required—your coverage will continue automatically. However, if you are enrolled in a Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you must re-elect your contribution amounts for the 2026 plan year. If you have any questions, please contact OGB Customer Service at 1-800-272-8451.
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2025
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State Civil Service Division Highlights
The Human Resources Program Support team is proud to serve as an extension to your HR offices, assisting HR, supervisors, managers, and employees across Louisiana. With a collective 89 years of state service, our staff brings both expertise and dedication to ensuring that state agencies have the guidance and tools needed to navigate Civil Service Rules, state and federal laws, and HR policies and procedures. Human Resources Program Support
Rachel Johnson, SCS HR Consultant Specialist; Patrice Davis, SCS Asst. Division Admin; Elizabeth Montalbano, SCS Division Admin; Alicia Jones, SCS HR Consultant Specialist; and Maegon Ruiz, SCS HR Consultant Supervisor
What we do: • Alternate Work Schedules • Continuous Performance Management (CPM) • Crisis Leave Policies • Detail to Special Duty Extensions & Prior Approvals • Discipline Inquiries • Extension of Hours and Reappointment (WAE) • Job Appointment Extensions • Modification of Personnel Actions [15.10(b)]
• MOUs (Universities for CPM) • Layoffs/Layoff Avoidance & DPRL • Overtime Compensation • Prohibited Actives Exception [14.1(p)] • Telework Policies • Transfer of Governmental Functions
What’s New & In Progress HRPS has been hard at work advancing several projects to provide agencies with clear, consistent, and practical resources. Recent efforts include drafting proposed updates to the Chapter 12 Handbook, which include revisions to all the Job Aids and Resources to ensure clear guidance of the Rule and ease of use. In addition, we are revising all FAQs to provide quick answers for agencies. To further support the agency, we have updated and created sample disciplinary letters that guide the letter writer to ensure the required elements of the rule are present and provide best practices when writing the letter. HR Handbook updates have been completed in Chapter 11 (Rule 11.10e) and Chapter 21 (FLSA Overtime), providing added clarification to the rule to ensure easier understanding. Our team has also drafted proposed layoff templates to help agencies maintain consistency and compliance during the layoff process. Looking ahead, our focus will shift to Chapter 15, where we’re developing a Modification of Action Request Form, due process sample letters, and updating FAQs to guide agencies on what is required when requesting a modification of action, as well as the requirements for notification to the employee. Together, these projects will strengthen confidence in applying Civil Service Rules. Our Commitment We don’t just provide answers – we provide partnership, clarity, best practices, and uniformity in understanding the Civil Service Rules. HR Program Support is here to help you navigate challenges and strengthen HR practices across state government.
See contacts for the HR Program Support Division
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2025
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Division Highlights Division Highlights Division Highlights Division Highl
Paper Agency Operations At A Glance
Port of South Louisiana
The Paper Agency Operations division plays a vital role in supporting the state workforce. Certain state agencies, known as paper agencies, submit personnel actions on paper to be processed by this team. These agencies include small, self-funded, or federally funded entities like housing authorities, levee districts, and boards. Despite a small team of five, with over 50 years of combined HR experience, the division processes personnel actions, determines classification, provides SCS Rule guidance, creates job postings in the Louisiana Jobs System, and provides agencies with a list of screened qualified applicants. By The Numbers
Tamara Kennedy, PSLA Chief of Staff; Amber Gorham, SCS HR Supervisor; Vicki Kidder, SCS HR Division Admin; Jennifer Ruckstuhl, SCS Asst. Div. Admin; Monserrat Belilla Garcia, SCS HR Consultant; Monique Parker, SCS HR Consultant; Brian Cox, PSLA Interim ED
Supported 124 agencies, impacting 2,345 employees statewide
Completed 1,195 personnel actions
Created 280 job postings and processed 287 eligible lists
Completed 1,195 personnel actions
In addition to these core responsibilities, the division has also spearheaded major workforce initiatives. Recently, Paper Agency Operations successfully conducted a job study for the Compliance Investigators series and is currently leading a study on airport-related job titles. These projects reflect the division's ongoing commitment to ensuring fair, accurate, and competitive job structures across the classified service. Through their diligence, Paper Agency Operations ensures that even the smallest state entities remain compliant with Civil Service rules and that employees across Louisiana receive timely, accurate HR support. This division's behind-the-scenes work is vital to the continued success of the state's classified service.
See contacts for the Paper Agency Operations Division
Runway at Lakefront Management Authority
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2025
l 2025 Professional Trainer Graduates
Congratulations to our recent CPTP Professional Trainer Certification graduates! These employees represented the Louisiana Department of Health and were recognized during the September Commission Meeting.
• Ashley Ferguson • Keegan H. Hayes • Sachie U. Nimtz • Jacoba G. Perkins • Danielle J. Stevenson • Azilethea O. Wesley
Jacoba G. Perkins, Sachie U. Nimtz, Keegan H. Hayes, and Ashley Ferguson
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Louisiana State Civil Service | P.O. Box 94111 | Baton Rouge, LA 70804 US
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