Adult Protective Services Caseworker

If you are a current State of Maine employee you must complete your application through the internal application process (Find Jobs Report). Please apply using your PRISM account. If you are on Seasonal Leave and do not have access to PRISM contact your local Human Resources representative for application information.

Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Human Services Caseworker

Opening Date:January 5 2026

Closing Date: January 16 2026

Job Class Code:5069

Grade: 22 (P&T)

Salary:$25.68 - $34.65 per hour*

*Pay includes a $3.00/hour stipend. An additional $1.00/hour stipend is available with a relevant Masters degree.

Position Number:03030-3999

Location: Portlandthis position requires travel throughout Cumberland County.

This position allows for partial telework with management approval.

Core Responsibilities:

As an Adult Protective Caseworker you will:

• Perform professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults including Adult Protective Services Intake Investigation and Public Guardianship and/or conservatorship duties.
• Investigate allegations of abuse neglect and exploitation of incapacitated and dependent adults Identify and arrange for support services and petition for public guardianship and conservatorship as appropriate.
• Communicate with individuals reporting to APS to determine whether APS has authority to become involved and document all relevant information electronically.
• Act as the Public guardian representative for adults under guardianship/conservatorship. This includes medical psychiatric placement and financial decision-making and involves regular face to face contact with adults under guardianship/conservatorship and their caregivers medical professionals and family members.

Your workload will include:

• Performing the APS investigations process in a timely manner which includes interviewing clients alleged perpetrators and collateral contacts and requesting and reviewing records as necessary.
• Documenting all investigation and guardian representative activities in the form of case notes.
• Advocating for and coordinating provision of services.
• Visiting individuals regularly for ongoing assessment of needs and safety.
• Maintaining accurate case records of activities; writing summaries reports letters and memos.
• Exercising discretion in decision making in carrying out investigation and guardian representative activities.
• Acting as Representative Payee/Conservator for individuals.
• Serving as Public Guardian agent making decisions to promote individual self-determination consistent with the best interests health and well-being of public wards.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelors 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.

Please submit a copy of your transcripts with your application materials.

The background of well-qualified candidates will include at least 1 year of experience working with incapacitated and dependent adults. Please describe that experience in your cover letter.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 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/social welfare. An LSW-Conditional requires an earned BA/BS in a field related to social work/social welfare.

Possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operators License.

*Chapter 10 of the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure regulations defines a field related to social work or social welfare as including but not limited to: behavioral science social and behavioral sciences childhood development education human development mental health and human services psychology educational psychology rehabilitation services and sociology.

The board will consider degrees in other areas on an individual basis. For additional information on degree requirements contact the Maine Board of Social Work Licensure at .

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 youre 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 States 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 Maines older citizens vulnerable adults and adults with disabilities.

Application Information:

For additional information about these positions please contact

Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application please contact

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government you find employees who embody our state mottoDirigo or I leadas they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforces health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package including:

• Work-Life Fit Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays 12 days of sick leave and3 weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage The State of Maine pays85%-100%of employee-only premiums ($12845.82 - $15112.76 annual value) depending on salary. Use this chart to find thepremium costsfor you and your family including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information aboutprogram requirements.
• Dental Insurance The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employees pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leaveis one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a childincluding fathers and adoptive parentsreceivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional unpaid leave may also be available under theFamily and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for anextensive 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 foranything less than full-time.

Theres a job and then theres 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 youre looking for a great next step and want to feel good about what you do wed love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

.

If you are unable to complete the online application please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.