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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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist I

Opening Date: February 18, 2026

Closing Date: March 3, 2026

Job Class Code: 5092

Grade: 22 -Prof & Tech Svcs

Salary: $47,652.80 - $66,497.60 per year*

*This is inclusive of a 1.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02000-2201

Location: We have a current vacancy that can be based in our Augusta, Portland, or Bangor offices and is full-time dispatch from home.

Core Responsibilities:

As an Out-of-Home Investigator you will be performing professional services work, under limited supervision, with statewide travel. You will be responsible for investigating child abuse and neglect allegations in State-licensed facilities and programs, programs subject to licensure, and programs funded by the Department. These may include but are not limited to: child care; children’s residential facilities; children’s shelters; public and private schools; unlicensed persons funded by the Department; and summer camps.

You will also:

• Plan and coordinate investigations with law enforcement and licensing entities.

• Collaborate with the public and a wide range of professionals.

• Conduct interviews with children and adults.

• Determine if child abuse and/or neglect have occurred.

• Determine if licensing violations have occurred.

• Document all investigation activities and complete final investigation reports.

• Explain statute and regulations for childcare, children's residential programs, and shelters for youth.

• Assess an individual's personal characteristics, emotional stability, and social characteristics.

• Analyze and evaluate evidence/information.

• Explain appeal rights and procedures.

• Conduct informational meetings and/or trainings.

• Participate and/or testify in hearing processes.

• Use electronic databases and word processing programs.

You will be dispatched from home to your investigation sites. Therefore, this work requires a substantial amount of travel and field activities, in addition to some office-based administrative functions. Your work will require a flexible work schedule beyond the typical 8-5, Monday-Friday standard week, as some occasional evening duties are performed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Six (6) years of education and/or professional experience in social services casework, social services program development/delivery, or social services related fiscal/budget administration/analysis work.

Preference will be given to applicants who are licensed as a Social Worker (LSW) as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure and/or have a background in law enforcement.

In order to properly evaluate your experience, you must also respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter:

1. You will be responsible for investigating child abuse and neglect in State-licensed or subject-to licensure programs. This is a process that involves conducting child and adult interviews, making observations, and assessing information and evidence in order to determine findings. Describe your experience in gathering information through observation and interviews and making a determination based on that information.

2. Describe previous experience with children’s services programs.

3. You will spend most of your time in the field where direct supervisory support is not immediately available. You will operate with considerable autonomy in establishing your day-to-day work activities and priorities. Describe positions in which you have worked with minimal supervision.

Applicants with foreign degrees must have them evaluated by the World Education Services for authentication and US equivalency and submit such authentication and equivalency with their applications.

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.

Agency information:

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.

The Office of Child & Family Services (OCFS), within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families throughout Maine.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Angel Jamison, Out of Home Investigation Supervisor by email at Angel.Jamison@Maine.gov

To apply, please upload a recent resume (if available) and cover letter addressing each of the preferred skills/experience areas above.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@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.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• 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 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.

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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.