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 II

Opening Date: March 9, 2026

Closing Date: March 20, 2026

Job Class Code: 5093

Grade: 25 (Supervisory Services)

Salary: $58,552.00 - $82,700.80 per year*

*This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02031-2442

Location: Augusta

Core Responsibilities:

As one of two individuals in the Sentinel Event program, you will be responsible for ensuring that healthcare facilities (ambulatory surgical centers, dialysis centers, and hospitals) covered by the Sentinel Event statute and rule are in compliance with all regulatory requirements for the mandatory reporting of sentinel events. The following are essential duties of this position:

You will:

• Review and analyze information to determine if adverse events comply with the sentinel event criteria

• Provide technical assistance to ensure that facilities understand the Sentinel Event program requirements

• Review medical records to gain information necessary to assess causal factors leading to the adverse event

• Assess root cause analyses submitted by healthcare facilities to ensure that they meet the thorough and credible requirements of statute and rule

• Input data into the Sentinel Event database, maintain case log sheets and close cases once all requirements have been met

• Research topics related to patient safety, and assist in developing material for the quarterly sentinel event newsletter

• Be responsible for analyzing aggregated data for the annual sentinel event report

• Conduct on-site reviews to determine if healthcare facilities are in compliance with sentinel event regulatory requirements

• Make formal presentations related to sentinel events and patient safety topics

• Coordinate education sessions to promote patient safety topics

• Assist Sentinel Event Program Manager in reviewing and revising sentinel event statute, rules, policies

• Develop and maintain collegial relationships with reporting facilities while enforcing the SE rule

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding records, facilities, and reporting of sentinel events

Minimum Qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in healthcare.

Preferred candidates will ALSO have:

• Experience working as a Registered Nurse

• Experience working with healthcare providers, either directly or in a consulting role

• Experience reporting Sentinel Events and knowledge of Sentinel Event rule

• Experience in healthcare safety, risk management and/or quality improvement

• Experience reviewing and abstracting information from medical records

• Analytical skills/abilities in order to determine if case submissions meet criteria for full review

• Critical thinking skills including ability to objectively analyze and interpret information

• Experience conducting or reviewing root cause analysis

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work well in a team and independently

• Technical writing experience and basic computer skills

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 mission of the Division of Licensing and Certification is to ensure Maine’s citizens receive quality and effective health care and social services by developing and applying regulatory standards that help people have safe and appropriate outcomes.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Madeline Orange, Program Manager, by email at Madeline.Orange@Maine.gov

*To apply, upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

*In your cover letter, please provide the following information:

1) Your understanding of key patient safety issues facing healthcare today and how you have been involved in patient safety/risk management activities

2) Your experience working in healthcare settings

3) Your experience in conducting or participating in root cause analyses

4) Your experience with critical thinking and analysis of medical records

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

To request a paper application, please contact Lucia.Nadeau@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.