Early Care and Education Program Navigator

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Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date:January 28 2026

Closing Date:February 10 2026

Job Class Code: 5093

Grade:25 (Supervisory Services)

Salary:$58552.00 - $82700.80 per year*

*This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02000-4064

Location: This position is located in our Augusta office and may require some statewide travel.

Core Responsibilities:

As the Early Care and Education (ECE) Salary Supplement Navigator you will play a vital role in planning coordinating and administering a component of an early care and education systems grant which is the connection of child care owners and directors to child care resources grants programs and services. Some of your core responsibilities will be:

Assisting in the daily operations of the ECE Salary Supplement System

Ensuring the adequate provision of consistent and effective programs and services.

Develop and recommend new and revised policies and procedures to improve program operations and meet recipient needs statewide.

Reviewing and assessing individual child care provider goals objectives plans and processes to connect owners and directors with child care resources services and programs.

Skills and Knowledge:

Knowledge of early childhood (birth-5) development pedagogy and relevant state and federal systems that impact these children and their families

Knowledge of current learning research and exemplary early childhood educational instructional strategies in all early learning domains.

Knowledge of exemplary evidence-based early childhood curriculum learner-centered instruction differential learning assessment developmental education and experiential learning and understanding of the relationships among these areas

Knowledge of or experience in Department grants contracts and purchase of services and cooperative agreements budgeting and program evaluation

Minimum Qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in specific option area (early care and education or social services).

The backgrounds of well-qualified candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

1.A thorough knowledge of the early care and education system and other child-serving systems.

and ability to facilitate meetings conduct trainings and interface with various stakeholders and partners.

oral and written communication skills.

Please submit a cover letter addressing your skills and/or prior experience in each of the areas above.

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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 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 Tara Williams Associate Director of Early Care and Education at 624-7971.

To apply please upload a recent resume (if available) and cover letter addressing each of the preferred skills/experience areas above.

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 non-birthing 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.