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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Manager I

Opening Date: January 21, 2026

Closing Date: February 3, 2026

Job Class Code: 5065

Grade: 27 (Supervisory)

Salary: $62,566.40 - $88,337.60

This is inclusive of a 1.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 20002-4720

Location: 41 Anthony Ave, Augusta, ME

This is a full-time position located in Augusta, ME and allows for partial telework with management approval.

Core Responsibilities:

The position works collaboratively with the Statewide Crisis Program Manager to oversee aspects of the Maine’s State-contracted crisis services continuum including Mobile Crisis Response, Statewide Crisis Hotline, Crisis Receiving, and Crisis Residential. Management responsibilities include oversight of all programmatic activities for crisis services providers including developing and managing contracts, approving and tracking invoices, developing and participating in procurement of services, ensuring timeframes for contract deliverables and overseeing program performance of service providers on a statewide level. The position participates in the OBH Crisis Team working on development, reform and implementation of a system model aligned with SAMHSA’s National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care and the national standards for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Typical duties will include:

•        Providing support and oversight of programs within OBH to include working with providers to effectively fund needed mental health services across the state.

•        Monitoring and evaluating program efficiency and effectiveness through the development of performance measures and metrics.

•        Drafting contractual agreements to include the completion of all required documentation and budgets.  This position works closely with the OBH Contracts Team to complete provider agreements.

•        Analyzing the performance of OBH contracts and working with contract administrators, finance staff, and the Data Team to forecast spending trends to make informed allocation decisions.

•        Provide technical assistance and support to providers in implementation of crisis reform initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in social services to include two (2) years of related program management experience.

The background of well-qualified candidates will include:

1.        Knowledge of Adult and CBHS system of care including applicable rules, laws/statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures governing services

2.        Have strong understanding of Maine’s crisis continuum of care and national best practices of for crisis services.

3.        Ability to use data to drive decision-making and implement decisions resulting in changes to process

4.        Experience working with contracts, contract management and invoicing

5.        Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain technical processes

Please describe your experience in the above areas in detail in your cover letter.

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 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 Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) within DHHS is responsible for providing leadership and active partnership in Maine’s comprehensive system of support to communities and individuals with substance use and mental health conditions through a network of community providers.   

The OBH takes responsibility for a behavioral health continuum of care that serves the whole person, the whole community. We promote a population health approach that includes a full spectrum of services from early intervention, treatment, crisis care, to recovery. Our role is to ensure Mainers with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders are not just symptom free but living a life of dignity, hope, and meaning. We partner with providers, communities, and citizens to offer support, resources, education, training, technical assistance, and services.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Brianne Masselli at [email protected] 

To apply: Please upload your current resume and cover letter.

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

To request a paper application, please contact [email protected]

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%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for 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 about program 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 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 non-birthing 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.

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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.