Location: Augusta,Maine,United States
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Social Services Program Specialist I – Regional Policy Specialist
Opening Date: April 30, 2024
Closing Date: May 14 2024
Job Class Code: 5092
Grade: 22
Salary: $ 45,801.60- $ 61,443.20/yr.
Position Number: 02022-7226
Location: Central Office Augusta
**Only Employees with Promotional Status in DHHS May Apply**
This position allows for partial telework with management approval.
Core Responsibilities:
Regional Policy Specialists are based in statewide offices and are subject matter experts in OFI eligibility programs, technology, and process with the responsibility of conducting trainings and providing support to OFI staff. Daily work is completed independently and within team projects. The position is connected to Central Office and works with Program Managers and Training Management to identify initial and ongoing training needs for eligibility staff, make recommendations for training solutions and developing successful training programs using innovative technology tools. Attention to detail is key as a component of the work is performing quality control reviews of eligibility decisions made by others.
Typical daily assignments include, but are not limited to:
- Facilitating training efforts: Playing a significant role in training new hires on OFI eligibility policy rules and procedures, culturally and linguistically appropriate customer service, as well as key aspects of the OFI business model processes and technology. Regional Policy Specialists need good writing skills to write post training feedback and assessments.
- Using policy knowledge and technology to build trainings and resources: Working with Program Managers and Training Management to plan, coordinate, monitor, and implement eligibility rules for OFI programs including, but not limited to, SNAP, TANF, and MaineCare. Trainings are also developed around technology tools (such as Streamline Maine, ACES, Siebel, DocuWare, Avaya, Swampfox, SAVE, AVS, etc.). Our team builds trainings and resources using Adobe software, Microsoft’s PowerPoint, Word, Forms, and Excel as well as Articulate 360’s Storyline and Rise.
- Supporting accurate and efficient eligibility casework: Providing clarification and instruction to Eligibility staff who do casework support and determine initial/ongoing eligibility for the various programs OFI administers. This is completed verbally and written through large and small group sessions, one on one consultations, and a shared email box.
Change is constant in this position; policy and procedures require consistent messaging and training. This position will be responsible for gaining a clear understanding of these changes, recognize how they will impact front line eligibility staff, and develop successful training programs to support and educate. In this role you will use initiative, logic, apply critical thinking, and develop strong working relationships with Central Office and your Training Unit peers to identify problems and collaborate to develop strategies to assist eligibility staff statewide.
Minimum Qualifications:
To qualify, you must have six (6) years of education and/or professional experience in social services casework, social services program development/delivery/management, social services related fiscal/budget administration/analysis work. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Supplemental Qualification Questions:
In order to properly evaluate your experience, please respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter:
PERFORMANCE AREA #1: Please describe your knowledge and experience in the Office for Family Independence public assistance programs and the technology needed to determine eligibility.
PERFORMANCE AREA #2: Please describe your experience identifying training needs of OFI eligibility staff and your ability to support eligibility staff in providing equitable customer service, accuracy, and efficiency.
PERFORMANCE AREA #3: Please describe your experience with presenting and sharing information to groups/individuals and how you have utilized technology to accomplish this goal.
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 for Family Independence (OFI) is responsible for administration of a number of programs and services, including MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support, and Disability Determinations. This position may work out of the Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, or Portland DHHS Office.
Application Information:
Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.
For additional information about this position please contact Vanessa DeWitt by email Vanessa.DeWitt@Maine.gov or at (207) 624-6905. To apply, please upload a recent resume and a cover letter including answers to the supplemental questions. To request a paper application, please contact Ashley Smith at Ashley.Smith@maine.gov .
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 ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 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.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% 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 fathers 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 part-time employment.
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.
Apply to this job
184 jobs found