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 of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date: January 22, 2026

Closing Date: February 4, 2026

Job Class Code: 5093

Grade: 25 (Supervisory Services)

Salary: $58,552.00 - $82,700.80 per year

This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02000-4061

Location: This position can be located in our Augusta, Bangor or Portland office.

-Limited Period Position- 

Core Responsibilities:

This position provides professional oversight of a component of the Help Me Grow program, including planning, coordination, and administration of program operations. Responsibilities include developing and implementing statewide policies and procedures; using data to support planning and evaluation; supervising assigned functions; and overseeing systems that support program delivery. The position ensures program performance, compliance with policies and quality standards, and maintains consistent, up-to-date administrative and operational systems. Work is performed under limited supervision.

• Oversees system operations, including approval of system changes, acceptance of work activities, coordination of testing resources, and ensuring effective and consistent service delivery.

• Manages a small caseload to maintain direct service experience and inform program oversight and decision-making.

• Reviews and analyzes program goals, policies, procedures, and operations to maintain accurate, up-to-date administrative and operational systems and to recommend improvements.

• Conducts ongoing quality assurance activities, including monitoring program performance, reviewing casework and operational outputs for accuracy and compliance, identifying trends or deficiencies, and recommending corrective actions to improve consistency and service quality.

• Evaluates State and Federal regulatory changes and develops or recommends new or revised rules, policies, and procedures to improve program effectiveness and meet recipient needs.

Serves as lead in federal fidelity reporting tasks, ensuring HMG Maine is in compliance with all standards and requirements.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of early childhood development (birth–5) early learning system, Developmental Screening, Parenting Support, developmental assessment and evaluation.

• Knowledge of state and federal systems, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and programs affecting children birth–5 and their families, including human services, mental health/developmental disabilities, eligibility criteria, provider services, and departmental and regional operations.

• Knowledge of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, budgeting, planning, evaluation, training resources, and administrative functions.

• Ability to develop program plans, goals, and objectives; evaluate program and administrative data; and identify and address program or service deficiencies.

• Ability to coordinate, monitor, and manage program and regional operations, including determining needs for purchased services and coordinating inter-agency resources.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with community and departmental stakeholders, and to negotiate and advocate for services.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and to use applicable computer programs.

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 develop team processes/policies to ensure integrity to the HMG Model.

2.        Experience and ability to facilitate meetings, conduct trainings and interface with various stakeholders and partners, promoting Help Me Grow in various settings.

3.        Confidence and ability to collect, analyze, and report data; ability to guide staff to ensure data accuracy and integrity within the Help Me Grow (HMG) system. Prior experience with data reporting and/or Help Me Grow National reporting is preferred.

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

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 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 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 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 Jessica Wood at [email protected]

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 [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.

.

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.