Child Protective Services Caseworker

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: December 31 2025

Closing Date: Open Continuously

Job Class Code: 5077
Grade: 24
Salary: $32.35- $42.34 per hour*
* Hourly rate includes a $7.50/hr. recruitment and retention stipend

Link to realistic job preview

Want to make a real difference in the lives of Maine children The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) within DHHS is looking for people committed to protecting the rights and well-being of children by providing professional case management services for our clients throughout the State of Maine. As a Child Protective Services Caseworker you will develop investigative and case management skills and build extensive contacts within the judicial law enforcement educational and social services communities. If youre in search of a career that is professionally and personally rewarding offers exceptional training and educational opportunities and supports children and families in Maine this could be your next career opportunity.

We have current vacancies in our Augusta Bangor Biddeford Caribou Ellsworth Houlton Lewiston Machias Portland Rockland Sanford and Skowhegan offices.

As a Child Protective Services Caseworker you will:
Perform professional social work in the areas of child protection childrens services and adoption.
Engage families to assess child safety and make plans which best meet the safety well-being and permanency needs of their children.
Create a team for each family consisting of family staff and community resources to support safe solutions for children.
Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner with input from parents children extended family and community stakeholders to assure child safety.

Assess:
o child safety abuse and neglect and signs of danger.
o family strengths and capabilities.
o family functioning;

Separate unsafe caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required to make children safe.
Make appropriate plans for children focusing on their safety needs preservation of family relationships reunifying children when appropriate or achieving a permanent placement in another family if needed.
Maintain accurate case records of assessments activities and plans; summaries; reports; letters and memos.
Follow federal and state laws mandates policy and timeframes to achieve child safety well-being and permanency. Perform case planning and when needed petition for protective custody and placement of children

Successful candidates will be:
detail oriented
able to effectively manage and meet deadlines.

Work requires frequent overtime emergency standby coverage and regular travel within the geographic area served by a District Office.

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. SPECIAL NOTE: Individuals with four (4) years professional case management experience and who were previously granted full licensure under grandfathering provisions authorized by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure are exempted from these requirements.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: 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 Work 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.

*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 and human development mental health and human services psychology 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 .

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 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.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Lisa Bullard Recruitment and Retention Specialist at or by e-mail at

To apply please upload a resume and state your degree information as identified in the Minimum Qualifications Section.

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.

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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.