OCFS Child Welfare Program Specialist

Location: Maine, USA,None,None

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Supervisor 

Opening Date: November 7, 2024    

Closing Date: November 21, 2024

Job Class Code: 5015   
Grade:  24 (Supervisory Services)
Salary: $54,579.20 - $77,459.20 per year

Position Number: 02022-7818

Location: Bangor, Portland, or Augusta 

Only Employees With Promotional Status In the Department of Health and Human Services May Apply

Core Responsibilities:

The Child Welfare Program Specialist will be responsible for evaluating the quality of practice and policy as it relates to Permanency and Investigations. A component of this position is to ensure the adherence to the Office of Child and Family Services, Program Improvement Plan (PIP), staff usage of the Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools to fidelity, the engagement of families, and the collaboration of community stakeholders and others involved in the child welfare system. This position will work with management on building a program that can ensure best practices are being designed, implemented and evaluated to ensure child welfare staff have the tools necessary to provide positive outcomes to the children and families OCFS serves. This position will also be responsible for other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of OCFS and the Child Welfare Project Manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have a bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of professional social work experience.  

You must possess full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.  The backgrounds of well-qualified candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

1.  Knowledge of and prior experience in multiple child welfare program areas. 
(Please list the program areas you have experience with and the length of time in each area.)
2. A thorough knowledge of Katahdin and MACWIS systems. 
3.  Exceptional written communications skills. 

* Only post-secondary degrees from a College or University whose accreditation has been granted from a nationally recognized accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education will satisfy educational requirements.  Information can be obtained at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ .  Foreign degrees must be evaluated by the World Education Services for authentication and US equivalency.

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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 DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families through community networks, local resources, and life-long family connections throughout Maine. This position will be located in the Bangor, Portland, or Augusta office and may require statewide travel as needed. 

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Jenna Wolfinger (207-592-5487) or Jenna.Wolfinger@Maine.gov

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter addressing the competency areas identified in the Requirements Section. 

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.L.Harman@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: