Location: Augusta,Maine,United States
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Social Services Program Specialist I
Opening Date: November 8, 2024
Closing Date: November 22, 2024
Job Class Code: 5092
Grade: 22 (Pro/Tech)
Salary: $47,174.40 - $65,832.00
Position Number: 03000-4356
Location: Augusta
Core Responsibilities:
As a behavioral health surveyor, you will be responsible for conducting licensing surveys for mental health and substance use disorder agencies (including residential facilities) to ensure that they are compliant with applicable state licensing regulations. You will investigate complaints alleging non-compliance with State regulations and facility-generated incident reports. You will determine, based on observation, document review, and interviews, whether agencies/programs are in compliance with licensing regulations. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and monitoring all licensing surveillance activities for your case load. You will work under limited supervision. This position primarily travels to Kennebec, Penobscot, Sommerset and Knox Counties, but does require some additional statewide travel, occasional overnight stays, and infrequent night or weekend survey(s).
You will also:
• Conduct licensing surveys, case investigations, document all survey activities and findings in Statements of Deficiencies per outlined timeframes.
• Review facility-generated Plans of Correction to ensure that these plans address all deficiencies cited.
• Provide technical assistance to agencies/providers.
• Participate in appropriate training at the request of the supervisor/manager.
• Work with providers who have applied to open a new agency.
Minimum Qualifications:
Six (6) years of education and/or professional experience in social services casework, social services program development/delivery, or social services-related fiscal/budget administration/analysis work.
Preferred candidates will also have:
• a license in Social Work as issued by the Maine Board of Social Worker Licensure;
• experience with assisted housing or behavioral health homes/ facilities or group homes; and/or
• knowledge of the Maine rules and regulations related to assisted housing, behavioral health, and substance abuse services.
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 mission of the Division of Licensing and Certification is to ensure that Maine’s most vulnerable citizens – the sick, injured, infirm, disabled, elderly, and children – are free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, and substandard quality of care, by enforcing state and federal regulations related to the provision of healthcare and social services.
Application Information:
For additional information about this position please contact Mitchell Gray at (207) 441-2437 or by e-mail at Mitchell.Gray@Maine.gov
To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application. Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.
In your cover letter explain how you meet the “Minimum Requirements” listed above, and what experience or education you have that meets any of the preferences listed in the “Preferred candidates” section.
Please note: applications submitted without cover letters, or with cover letters that do not address the information required above, may not be considered for this vacancy.
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:
- 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 costsfor 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.
