Quality Assurance Specialist – Substantiations

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date: September 10, 2024

Closing Date:  September 23, 2024

Job Class Code: 5093
Grade: 25 (Supervisory Services) 
Salary: $57,408 - $81,078.40/yr.
Position Number: 02000-1618

Location: Augusta, Bangor, or Portland 

Core Responsibilities:

As a Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist-Substantiations, you will play a key role in assuring the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) complies with statute, rule, and policy. This position will conduct reviews and represent the Department at hearings on child welfare findings to provide continuous quality improvement feedback to the districts, as well as appropriate due process to those individuals who have been indicated or substantiated. This position will prepare for, attend, and participate in statewide meetings and trainings to support child welfare staff in improving their knowledge and skills around the findings process. This position will support OCFS by spearheading rulemaking efforts and providing guidance and expertise to program staff as they craft and promulgate new and updated rules. This position will also provide training, technical support, quality assurance, and quality improvement support for OCFS’ district offices around the electronic discovery system used for child welfare court cases. 
In addition, the QA Specialist-Substantiations may be required to participate in other projects initiated by OCFS and to perform other special projects as requested by OCFS management.

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have eight (8) years combination of education and/or professional experience in social services. Preference will be given to those possessing a Social Work License (LSW or higher), active and in good standing. The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

1.    Knowledge of and prior experience in 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 the findings definitions and findings appeal rules.

3.    A demonstrated history of involvement in findings decisions that adhere to policy and rule.

4.    A thorough knowledge of MACWIS and Katahdin. 

5.    Exceptional written and oral communications skills. (Please provide a writing sample with your application materials.)

6.    Experience with the State’s rulemaking process.

7.    Casework experience managing protective custody cases in Maine’s District Court. 

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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 the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families throughout Maine.  This position is in the OCFS Policy and Training Unit, located in our Augusta office. This position will be located in our Augusta, Bangor, or Portland office. 

Application Information:

 Please submit all documents or files in  PDF format.

For additional information about this position please contact Brieanna Gutierrez at (207) 626-8670. To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter addressing the competency areas identified in the Requirements Section above. To request a paper application, please contact Ashley Smith at Ashley.Smith@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%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 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. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% 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 fathers 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.