Overview
Job Description
If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State's career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State..
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Social Services Program Specialist II
Opening Date: October 28, 2026
Closing Date: November 10, 2026
Job Class Code: 5093
Grade: 25 (Supervisory)
Salary: $61,193.60 - $86,403.20 per year*
*This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend
Position Number: 02031-2462
Location: Portland, Lewiston, or Augusta
This position allows for partial telework with management approval.
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
Core Responsibilities:
As a Social Service Program Specialist II, you will be directly supervising a team and providing leadership and supervision to surveyors conducting licensing surveys and complaint investigations for assisted housing and behavioral health providers. You will coordinate surveyor activities with other leaders/manager of this unit, will ensure that licensing surveys and complaint investigations are appropriately scheduled in a timely manner, that staff have necessary oversight and support to complete their work efficiently and effectively, that all documentation is completed in accordance with unit policies/procedures and that technical assistance is available to licensees.
You will also:
Review statements of deficiencies to ensure they are written in accordance with the principles of documentation.
Provide orientation training for new staff and ongoing training for current staff.
Review plans of correction to ensure acceptable response to identified deficiencies.
Complete performance evaluations for the staff supervised and assist the Program Manager in administrative support staff evaluations.
Triage complaints and assign workloads.
Provide technical assistance to providers and facilitate meetings when necessary to ensure that providers and assigned team understands the licensing regulations and license application requirements.
Assist Program Manager with enforcement decisions and documentation.
Review and make recommendations to DLC leadership regarding facility waivers.
Communicate, as necessary, with the Office of Aging and Disability Services, the Office of Behavioral Health, the Office of MaineCare Services and the Office of Child and Family Services to ensure that all agencies are aware of licensing-related issues and deficiencies.
Monitor and collect program reports, data, and related information in order to evaluate program performance and generate information for department decision making.
Review and assess statistical data regarding type, nature, and frequency of services delivered in order to prepare required and requested service delivery reports.
Participation in onsite surveys.
Minimum Qualifications:
In order to qualify, you must have eight (8) years of education and/or professional experience in social services.
An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in the healthcare or social services field.
Preferred candidates will have:
Investigative skills/abilities in order to determine underlying causes of non-compliance with state/federal regulations
Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing healthcare facilities and social service programs
Experience working in assisted housing and behavioral health facilities/programs
Experience leading a team in a supervisory/team lead role
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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 disab
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