Deputy Director Office of Child & Family Services

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Services Manager III 

Opening Date: February 10, 2025

Closing Date: February 24, 2025

Job Class Code: MA36

Grade: 36 (Confidential)

Salary: $92,851.20 - $131,518.40 per year

Position Number: 02022-8114

Location: We have a current vacancy that is located in our Augusta office and will require state-wide travel.

Core Responsibilities:

As Deputy Director you will work collaboratively with the Director in planning, directing, implementing and overseeing OCFS programs, services and the strategic plan.  You will act on behalf of the Director as delegated and as a member of the Executive Management Team, develop, implement, and evaluate associated programs, policies, and resource allocations on an ongoing basis. You will advise the Director concerning the impact of state and federal legislative proposals and mandated program changes, measure program performance against established goals, initiatives and metrics, identify program deficiencies and service gaps, and develop appropriate corrective plans.  You will provide support to four Associate Directors, each responsible for managing one or more program areas and directly oversee the Violence Intervention and Response Program and Children’s Licensing and Investigation Services. 

You will work collaboratively with the Director and Office of the Commissioner in the development of a strategic plan and supporting projects and programs for the Office of Child & Family Services to ensure OCFS services and programs are aligned with and support the implementation of the Department’s strategic vision and plan.

You will also research and establish linkages with other DHHS Office programs and partner with leaders in those programs to define areas of intersecting services and develop a comprehensive and integrated system of services for Department clients.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, you must have a ten-year combination of education and experience comprised of a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, social services, a behavioral health area, healthcare administration, or a related field and six (6) years experience in the development, implementation and administration of programs or public administration/ program management.  A master’s degree is preferred.  You must have significant experience leading and managing professional staff.  Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.  The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:

1.    A proven ability to be an effective, executive-level “program strategist” demonstrated by experience leading cross-departmental or multi-agency project team in developing integrated organizational goals and project plans that meet broad customer and constituent needs.

2.    The ability to assess the effects of guidelines, rules and/or regulation on departmental operations and program budgets.

3.    A demonstrated ability to use program data to set performance milestones/objectives, evaluating program performance, and implementing system change.  

4.    A thorough knowledge of Maine State government policies / procedures, legislative processes and budgetary processes and experience in developing and monitoring legislation and budgets to support effective and efficient service delivery.   

5.    Strong communication skills and the ability to identify issues and develop potential solutions.

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 and Family Services (OCFS) within DHHS supports Maine's children and their families by providing Early Care and Education, Children’s Licens