Oral Health Planning and Research Associate I

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Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Planning & Research Associate I

Opening Date:January 14 2026

Closing Date:January 28 2026

Job Class Code:0039

Grade:20 (Pro-Tech)

Salary:$20.68 - $28.88 per hour

Position Number:02000-4117

Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This position allows for partial telework with manager approval.

Core Responsibilities:

The Maine CDCs Oral Health Program is seeking a Planning and Research Associate I to join our team. This position will work under the direction of the Program Manager to provide data support contract development and oversight as needed and support Maine CDCs oral health priorities in its response to the impact of COVID 19 on the oral health status of Maine people. Providing data collection and analysis is critical for the program and Maine CDC to fully understand the impacts of COVID 19 as well as the successes of its response activities.

You will also:

As a key member of the Oral Health Program team your core responsibilities will include:

Perform complex assignments in the collecting analyzing and presentation of data for policy development planning and regulatory activities.

Respond to technical requests for data and information from the Bureau of Health Maine CDC other state agencies and the federal government by identifying and compiling relevant data for specific areas in need of oral health care services.

Produce core reports and coordinate specific data analyses by applying knowledge of statistical methods in order to promote effective planning while maintaining ongoing data collection projects necessary for programmatic and policy development needs.

Provide technical assistance to communities oral health care providers and oral health care facilities.

Establish and maintain supportive working relationships with other agencies within the Department other departments external partners and stakeholders.

Design coordinate and produce graphic displays in order to provide quantitative information for use in planning policy development and management of programs while ensuring adherence to federal requirements.

Work with Program Manager on budgetary needs federal grant funding opportunities and contract management.

Minimum Qualifications:

A six (6) year combination of education training and/or experience providing a knowledge of the principles of research and planning.

Preferred candidates will also have:

oExperience supporting public health research evaluation or program planning including data collection analysis and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

oAbility to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously manage timelines and work effectively with data systems analytic tools and standard office software.

oAbility to build and sustain working collaborative relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders such as oral health providers healthcare professionals community organizations and other state and government agencies to support planning implementation and evaluation of oral health programs.

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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 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 mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within which this position is located is to develop and deliver services to preserve protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Kate Christiansen Oral Health Program Manager at or .

Please submit all documents or files in a 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.

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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.