Guardianship Representative

Location: Maine, USA,None,None

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Human Services Caseworker

Opening Date: October 15, 2024

Closing Date: October 28, 2024

Job Class Code: 5069
Grade:  22 (Pro-Tech)
Salary: $25.68/hour - $34.65 per hour*
*Pay includes a $3.00/hour stipend. An additional $1.00/hour stipend is available with a relevant Master’s Degree.  

Position Number: 03030-4407

Location: Lewiston, Augusta or Rockland (this position requires travel throughout Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties)

This is a full-time position and allows for partial telework with management approval. 

Job Duties: As an Office of Aging and Disability Services Caseworker, you will: 

•    Perform professional social work for eligible adults, predominantly in the areas of public guardianship and/or conservatorship. 
•    Coordinate the provision of services including housing, employment, direct supports, and the promotion of community inclusion. 
•    Participate in care planning which includes plan writing and extensive documentation. Provide case management activities for adults under guardianship/conservatorship including medical, psychiatric, placement, and financial decision-making. 

Your workload will include: 
•    Advocating for and coordinating provision of services including reviewing, analyzing, and documenting person-centered plans, care plans and behavior plans.
•    Visiting clients regularly for ongoing assessment of needs and safety including assessing living arrangements and support systems.
•    Maintaining accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
•    Discussing and documenting progress with the individual and the treatment team.
•    Evaluating impact of services and exercising discretion in decision making in order to determine the continued need for, modification or in some cases, termination of services.
•    Monitoring community based Medicaid Waiver programs and documenting progress and outcomes.
•    Participating in crisis resolution using crisis intervention techniques and skills. 
•    Collaborating with Adult Protective Services and Crisis Prevention/Intervention Services when necessary to stabilize and secure emergency needs.
•    Acting as Public Guardian and Conservator/rep-payee, making decisions consistent with the best interests, health and well-being of public wards.

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational
institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelor’s Degree in a related social
service/social welfare/social work area which includes at least 12 courses in behavioral
science, social science, or social work; AND must have or be eligible for conditional or full
licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as determined by the Maine State Board of
Social Worker Licensure. 

Necessary Special Requirement: Applicants must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure. (An LSW requires an earned BA/BS in social work. An LSW-Conditional requires an earned BA/BS in a field related to social work.)

The background of well-qualified candidates will include at least 1 year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Please describe that experience in your cover letter. 

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 Aging and Disability Services (OADS) within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, support and well-being of Maine’s older citizens, vulnerable adults and adults w