Regional Policy Specialist

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist I – Regional Policy Specialist

Opening Date: April 30, 2024

Closing Date:   May 14 2024

Job Class Code: 5092
Grade:  22
Salary: $ 45,801.60- $ 61,443.20/yr.

Position Number: 02022-7226

Location: Central Office Augusta

 **Only Employees with Promotional Status in DHHS May Apply**

This position allows for partial telework with management approval.

Core Responsibilities:

Regional Policy Specialists are based in statewide offices and are subject matter experts in OFI eligibility programs, technology, and process with the responsibility of conducting trainings and providing support to OFI staff. Daily work is completed independently and within team projects. The position is connected to Central Office and works with Program Managers and Training Management to identify initial and ongoing training needs for eligibility staff, make recommendations for training solutions and developing successful training programs using innovative technology tools. Attention to detail is key as a component of the work is performing quality control reviews of eligibility decisions made by others.

Typical daily assignments include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitating training efforts: Playing a significant role in training new hires on OFI eligibility policy rules and procedures, culturally and linguistically appropriate customer service, as well as key aspects of the OFI business model processes and technology. Regional Policy Specialists need good writing skills to write post training feedback and assessments.
• Using policy knowledge and technology to build trainings and resources: Working with Program Managers and Training Management to plan, coordinate, monitor, and implement eligibility rules for OFI programs including, but not limited to, SNAP, TANF, and MaineCare. Trainings are also developed around technology tools (such as Streamline Maine, ACES, Siebel, DocuWare, Avaya, Swampfox, SAVE, AVS, etc.). Our team builds trainings and resources using Adobe software, Microsoft’s PowerPoint, Word, Forms, and Excel as well as Articulate 360’s Storyline and Rise.
• Supporting accurate and efficient eligibility casework: Providing clarification and instruction to Eligibility staff who do casework support and determine initial/ongoing eligibility for the various programs OFI administers. This is completed verbally and written through large and small group sessions, one on one consultations, and a shared email box.

Change is constant in this position; policy and procedures require consistent messaging and training. This position will be responsible for gaining a clear understanding of these changes, recognize how they will impact front line eligibility staff, and develop successful training programs to support and educate. In this role you will use initiative, logic, apply critical thinking, and develop strong working relationships with Central Office and your Training Unit peers to identify problems and collaborate to develop strategies to assist eligibility staff statewide.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, you must have six (6) years of education and/or professional experience in social services casework, social services program development/delivery/management, social services related fiscal/budget administration/analysis work. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Supplemental Qualification Questions:

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

PERFORMANCE AREA #1:  Please describe your knowledge and experience in the Office for Family Independence public assistance programs and the technology needed to determine eligibility.

PERFORMANCE AREA #2: Please describe your experience identifying training needs of OFI eligibility staff and your ability to support eligibility staff in providing equitable customer service, accuracy, and efficiency.

PERFORMANCE AREA #3: Please describe your experience with presenting and sharing information to groups/individuals and how you have utilized technology to accomplish this goal.

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 ap