Human Services Enforcement Agent

State of Maine • Ellsworth, ME

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office for Family Independence, Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery, is hiring a Human Services Enforcement Agent in Ellsworth. The division develops and implements the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures needed to ensure non-custodial parents contribute to the economic support of their children.

This investigative and protective-services role involves locating non-custodial parents; establishing paternity and child support obligations; and enforcing and collecting child support. The agent initiates administrative collection actions and appropriate court proceedings and represents the Department’s interests in Maine District Court in child-support matters. The position requires occasional travel. Partial telework may be available with management approval, based on operational needs, after the first six months of initial training. The position is not currently eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Applicants are subject to pre-employment screening, including verification of minimum qualifications, application information, employment history, and references. Selected candidates receiving conditional offers must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, or a related field; directly related paraprofessional or higher-level experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment, fingerprint-based criminal history record check if selected for a conditional offer.
• Applicants are subject to pre-employment screening, including verification of minimum qualifications, application information, employment history, and references.

Responsibilities

• Locate non-custodial parents through investigative services work.
• Establish, enforce, and collect child support obligations.
• Establish the paternity of children born out of wedlock.
• Initiate administrative collection actions.
• Initiate appropriate court action.
• Represent the Department’s interests in Maine District Court in child-support matters.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3 or more weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service.
• Overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• The State pays 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; participation in the health insurance premium credit program decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
• The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of employee pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
• Additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Additional wellness benefits are available to State employees.

What This Job Offers

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