Children’s Emergency Services Caseworker

State of Maine•Portland, ME

7d•$33 - $44•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Child and Family Services within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services seeks a Child Protective Services Caseworker to provide professional case management services that protect the rights and well-being of children. The role develops investigative and case management skills and involves working with judicial, law enforcement, educational, and social services communities. Caseworkers engage families to assess child safety and plan for children’s safety, well-being, and permanency, drawing on family members, staff, and community resources. They make timely, factually supported safety decisions with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders. The position is based in Portland. The scheduled workweek is Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with Wednesday and Thursday off. Work requires frequent overtime, emergency standby coverage, and regular travel. A valid driver’s license is required. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare, or a bachelor’s degree in a related social service, social welfare, or social work area with at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work. Applicants must have or be eligible for conditional or full Licensed Social Worker (LSW) licensure as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure. The stated hourly salary range is $33.47–$43.91, including a $7.50 per hour recruitment and retention stipend. Eligible employees may also receive an additional $1 per hour stipend for a qualifying master’s degree and a shift differential of $0.45 per hour.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Social Welfare from an accredited educational institution; or a bachelor’s degree in a related social service, social welfare, or social work area that includes at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work.
Must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) level from the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
A valid driver’s license is required because the work involves regular travel.
Ability to manage details effectively and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

Perform professional social work in child protection, children’s services, and adoption.
Engage families to assess child safety and develop plans addressing children’s safety, well-being, and permanency needs.
Build a team for each family, including family members, staff, and community resources, to support safe solutions for children.
Make timely and thorough factually supported safety decisions, informed by parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders.
Assess child safety, abuse and neglect, signs of danger, family strengths and capabilities, and family functioning.
Separate dangerous caregivers from children when court action is required to protect children.
Develop appropriate plans focused on children’s safety, preserving family relationships, reunification when appropriate, or permanent placement with another family when needed.
Maintain accurate case records, including assessments, activities, plans, summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
Follow federal and state laws, mandates, policies, and timeframes to achieve child safety, well-being, and permanency.
Perform case planning and, when needed, petition for protective custody and placement of children.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave, with vacation accrual increasing with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
12 days of sick leave per year.
State-paid portion of employee-only health insurance premiums, with the amount depending on salary; health insurance premium credit may reduce employee-only premiums by 5% for participants who meet program requirements.
State-paid employee-only dental insurance premiums.
Employer contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
Employee assistance program through the Living Resources Program.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
Voluntary pre-tax retirement savings through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.