If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Opening Date: February 25, 2026

Closing Date: March 11, 2026

Job Class Code: 4134
Grade: 20

Salary: $35.35 - $44.32/ per hour (Salary is inclusive of stipends)

Shift: 10:45a - 11:15p & 2:45p - 11:15p OR 12:45p - 11:15p

The starting salary is based on education and experience. Starting salary for promotional candidates will follow contractual requirements.

Additional shift differential $3.00/hour while working 2nd shift hours

Additional shift differential $4.50/hour while working 3rd shift hours

Additional weekend differential $2.10/hour while working weekend hours

In addition, the selected candidate may qualify for a $200/month nursing student loan reimbursement.

DESCRIPTION: This is the second level of professional nursing work involving the care and treatment of patients who are mentally, emotionally or physically ill. Responsibilities include overseeing and providing medical and/or psychiatric nursing care in a hospital facility. Supervision may be exercised over hospital paraprofessional personnel and/or other assigned personnel as a group leader. Work is performed under limited supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS: Plans and oversees unit work including general and psychiatric nursing care of patients in order to ensure care is in accordance with accepted nursing practices. Inventories supplies and equipment and orders required medicines and supplies in order to maintain appropriate inventory levels. Administers medications and treatments in order to ensure patients receive proper medication and treatment in a timely manner. Orients and trains student nurses and paraprofessionals to nursing methods, practices, and techniques and monitors patient care activities in order to ensure consistent quality of care. Writes patient progress reports in order to maintain medical records and document unusual behavior. Assesses emergency situations and takes appropriate action in order to overcome and resolve patient problem. Assesses patient’s health status, plans care, or makes appropriate referrals in order to ensure patient needs are met. Performs audits relative to patient care in order to ensure patient receives proper and timely treatment. Conducts individual and group counseling therapy in order to provide patient treatment. Reports on patients' condition to other appropriate professionals in order to provide information and recommend changes to treatment program. Intervenes therapeutically when patient exhibits signs of behavioral escalation in order to overcome situation. KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice. Knowledge of materia medica, hospital dietetics, sanitation, and personal hygiene. Knowledge of patient behavior and psychological dynamics. Ability to apply standard nursing, medical, and psychiatric methods, practices, and techniques. Ability to instruct and supervise subordinate personnel. Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions to exact detail. Ability to establish and maintain records, charts, and reports. Ability to maintain a therapeutic attitude toward and harmonious relationship with mentally and physically ill patients.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelors Degree in Nursing or related field -OR- graduation from an accredited school of nursing plus one (1) year of professional nursing experience. LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A license as a Registered Nurse as issued by the Maine State Board of Nursing.

Agency information:

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness. As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

For additional information about this position please contact Jennifer Iverson at 207-561-5425 or email jennifer.iverson@maine.gov

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. To request a paper application, please contact Theresa Peppard at theresa.m.peppard@maine.gov.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.