Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Social Services Program Specialist II
Opening Date: April 19, 2024
Closing Date: May 2, 2024
Job Class Code: 5093
Grade: 25 (Supervisory)
Salary: $55,744.00 - $75,691.20/year
Position Number: 03030-4733
Location: Augusta
Core Responsibilities:
As the Caregiver Services Manager in the Office of Aging and Disability Services, you will be responsible for providing oversight, day-to-day management, and on-going evaluation of the Older Americans Act and State funds that are distributed to the area agencies on aging to ensure the State of Maine maintains capacity to provide services through the Care Partner Supports Program and Evidence Based Programs to older Mainers and their family caregivers throughout the state. The position duties are as follows:
•Manage the Older American Act and State funded Care Partner Supports programs for the State of Maine. These programs include the National Family Caregiver Support Program (Older Americans Act Title III E), the State Respite Care Program, the Respite for ME Grants Pilot Program, and the Lifespan Respite Program.
•Develop and implement Care Partner Supports Program evaluation methodology and coordinate all aspects of the Care Partner Supports with the five area agencies on aging (AAA).
•Manage performance and financial reports to determine compliance with Care Partner Supports Program goals and objectives outlined in Maine's State Plan on Aging.
•Analyze Area Plans on Aging annual reports submitted by area agencies on aging and recommend solutions for compliance with Care Partner Supports Program requirements.
•Manage service contracts and budgets for the Care Partner Supports Program.
•Collect and analyze data using Maine's WellSky Aging & Disability database on the Care Partner Supports Program to help prepare annual and ad hoc reports to state and federal partners.
•Draft administrative rules, policies, and procedures governing the Care Partner Supports Program.
•Analyze and evaluate program participant needs data, functional status, units of service, expenditures, program income, allotment transfers, service costs, and program costs to provide recommendations for improvements to the Care Partner Supports Program.
•Serve as the OADS liaison with other state and federal departments for family caregiver programs, including state and national committees/task forces.
•Serve as a spokesperson for OADS by giving presentations at state and national meetings and conferences regarding the Care Partner Supports Program.
•Provide leadership and technical assistance for modernizing the Care Partner Supports Program, including enhancing client choices and person-centered planning.
•Plan for future family caregiver support for Maine's growing older adult population by monitoring trends and innovations and applying for relevant funding opportunities and grants.
•Supervise the Caregiver Respite Project Manager position responsible for assisting with t the Respite for ME Grants Pilot Program and the Liefspan Respite Program.
•Work with community agencies to provide educational materials and information about Evidenced Based Programs (Older Americans Act Title III D) available for older adults, adults with disabilities, and their family care partners.
Minimum Qualifications:
In order to qualify, the minimum requirement is an eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in social services. Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in gerontology or a related field, experience in conducting program compliance work, and experience with quality assurance and quality improvement development of services for older adults and persons with disabilities.
Please tell us about your experience in the following areas in your cover letter:
1. Knowledge of aging services programs for older adults, including applicable federal, state, and other regulations and policies (e.g., Older Americans Act, etc.)
2. A demonstrated ability to obtain, review, aggregate, and report on data.
3. Ability to establish and maintain liaison with community and departmental resources and program personnel.
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 Aging & Disability Services (OADS) within DHHS oversees a broad range of services for older adults and adults with disabilities; home and community-based services (HCBS); long term services and supports (LTSS); a comprehensive system of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injuries; consumer-directed services; quality assurance and quality improvement services including independent assessment services; adult protective services; and public guardianship and/or conservatorship services for individuals who are incapacitated. As part of the Older Americans Act, OADS is designated as Maine's State Unit on Aging within DHHS that administers the State Plan on Aging. OADS works closely with the five area agency on aging in Maine, the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and Maine Legal Services for the Elderly to administer federal and state-funded aging services and programs throughout the state.
This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.
Application Information:
Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.
For additional information about this position please contact James Moorhead, Aging Services Manager OADS at James.Moorhead@maine.gov. To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter addressing the three competency areas listed in the requirements section. Failure to address the competency areas in your cover letter will be deemed an incomplete application and may not be considered.
For 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.
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.