Child Protective Services Caseworker

State of Maine • Rockland, ME

1d • $32 - $42 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) within DHHS is looking for people committed to protecting the rights and well-being of children by providing professional case management services for our clients throughout the State of Maine. As a Child Protective Services Caseworker, you will develop investigative and case management skills and build extensive contacts within the judicial, law enforcement, educational, and social services communities. This is a career that is professionally and personally rewarding, offers exceptional training and educational opportunities, and supports children and families in Maine. There is an anticipated vacancy located in our Rockland office.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited education institution in Social Work/Social Welfare, or a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited educational institution in a field related to social work/social welfare as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure.
• Must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure.
• Detail oriented.
• Able to effectively manage and meet deadlines.
• Work requires frequent overtime, emergency standby coverage, and regular travel which requires a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• An additional $1/hr. stipend for a qualifying master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work in the areas of child protection, children’s services, and adoption.
• Engage families to assess child safety and make plans which best meet the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of their children.
• Create a team for each family consisting of family, staff, and community resources to support safe solutions for children.
• Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner, with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders to assure child safety.
• Assess child safety, abuse, and neglect, and signs of danger.
• Assess family strengths and capabilities.
• Assess family functioning.
• Separate dangerous caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required to make children safe.
• Make appropriate plans for children, focusing on their safety needs, preservation of family relationships, reunifying children when appropriate, or achieving a permanent placement in another family if needed.
• Maintain accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; summaries; reports; letters and memos.
• Follow federal and state laws, mandates, policy, 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
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child (including non-birthing and adoptive parents).
• Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level