Department of Public Safety - Maine State Police

Job Class Code: 7600
Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical)
Salary: $47,840 - $64,542Location: Houlton, ME - Troop F - Aroostook County

Opening Date: April 30, 2024

Closing Date: May 15, 2024

Making decisions about the health, safety, and welfare of community members who have interacted with law enforcement personnel and are in need of services falls under the purview of this position, which is non-clinical in nature and is responsible for community outreach. The primary responsibilities of the Maine State Police Behavioral Health Specialists will be:

• Identifying persons who have solicited or compelled a police response as related to mental health, addiction, homelessness, elder abuse, domestic violence, or any type of situation where there may be services available to aid the person(s) in improving their quality of life;
• Make a determination as to their wellbeing, health or safety status;
• Make recommendations/referrals regarding a plan or a strategy aimed at improving their circumstance;
• Minimize or mitigate repeated law enforcement response for non-law enforcement problems or issues; and
• Coordinate community resources who may be able to intervene and assist.

Additionally, this position may offer advice on policy initiatives that have an impact on people's health, safety, and welfare as well as assist law enforcement supervisors and command staff with training law enforcement personnel. To enhance the efficiency of the service delivery system and direct resources toward particular client groups, this position will coordinate behavioral health programs on a regional scale. In order to complete this assignment, various tactics and strategies might be used, such as facilitating in-home support services and facilitating prevention and intervention services via telephone and mobile outreach. A plan for service facilitation and follow-through may need to be developed by the behavioral health specialist after involvement with the person(s). In order to prevent or reduce the need for repeated law enforcement interaction, this position will also need to exercise some oversight following referral and recommendation.

Behavioral Health Specialists may assist the Maine State Police with other assignments as determined by the leadership team to include but not limited to policy recommendations, research and testimony for legislative initiatives related to domestic violence, addiction, mental health, elder abuse and homelessness. A successful candidate will be able to collaborate with a wide range of partners, including but not limited to members of the federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement community, healthcare professionals, mental health experts, drug counselors, and addiction specialists, elected officials, and a variety of community resource organizations.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist law enforcement supervisors and command staff with recommendations concerning policy initiatives that effect the health, safety, and welfare for respondents.
• Work with community resource providers to assess and recommend programming for respondents.
• Consult with internal law enforcement staff and law enforcement partners, community partners and providers.
• Review and evaluate psychological and social work research and literature to maintain and facilitate professional development and best practices.
• Assist in the coordination of the non-clinical treatment planning with other professionals and community agencies in order to facilitate clinical based services if necessary.
• Assist in the coordination of clinical treatment planning with other professionals and community agencies in order to assist in the facilitation of non-clinical based services if necessary.
• Attend training, seminars and participate in on-going professional development as related to the recognition of those in crisis and coordination of community resources.
• Maintain situational awareness of troop responses to those persons in need of community services.
• Review and establish best practices as related to coordination and referral of community resources, which will be incorporated into quality assurance and continuous quality improvement activities for respondents.
• Work with hospitals, law enforcement and/or other community professionals regarding crisis safety planning for individuals.
• Provide training to law enforcement and policy recommendations to the leadership team.
• Attend meetings regarding the coordination of crisis safety planning and provide written documentation of all crisis related and referral-based activity.
• Gathers, compiles and analyzes data and prepares reports related to mental illness, community support systems, and child and adolescent services and systems in order to assess needs and outcomes of service delivery system and communicate results.
• Develops and writes plans, reports, studies and other required documents in order to meet departmental and bureau reporting systems.
• Assesses, advocates, coordinates, and/or resolves difficult or unusual client, family or agency problems that involve multiple agency needs in order to ensure proper case services delivery.
• Formulates, develops and implements public education activities on mental illness, community support systems, and child and adolescent services and systems in order to further public understanding and provide training to interested groups.

NOTE: This position will answer to the Troop/ Unit Lieutenant or their designee related to their duty assignment and will be responsible for coordinating resources for respondents within those troop boundaries or parameters. 

Sucessful candidates will have the following qualifications :

• Four years of education and/or progressively responsible experience applying knowledge and demonstrated skills and abilities in direct support and assistance of consumers with addiction disorder, developmental disabilities, cognitive, mental health, and other co-occurring disorders.
• Ability to recognize persons struggling with domestic violence, addiction, mental health, elder abuse, homelessness and other types of situations where community services may be available
• Knowledge of community resources and community behavioral health agencies and service delivery systems which can help with overall health, safety and welfare of others.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills who can effectively interact with those who may be in crisis.
• Ability to work with law enforcement personnel and make recommendations regarding the health, safety and welfare of individuals.
• Basic understanding or knowledge of law enforcement systems, policies and procedures and confidentiality/privacy rights.
• Knowledge of Social Welfare and Community based services, programs, policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of the fundamental types, challenges and problems of mental illnesses, abnormalities, developmental disabilities and personality disorders.
• Knowledge of funding mechanisms for human, social, education, and behavioral health services.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to assess training needs.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to write clearly and effectively.

Minimum qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree in one of the Social Sciences and four (4) years experience in professional community behavioral health work. A Masters Degree in Social Work may be substituted for two (2) years experience.

Preference will be given to those applicants with:

Preference will be given to those with social work certification status particularly their Maine LSW certification.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Major Scott Gosselin at scott.a.gosselin@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

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) for MSEA, or 18.21% for Confidential employees. 

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.

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.