OCFS Policy Specialist
About The Position
This position is within the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) Policy & Training Unit. The OCFS Policy & Planning Specialist will play an important role in the development, drafting, and/or revising of new or existing policy. This role involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including community partners, subject matter experts, and individuals with lived experience to inform policy development and practice changes. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people, providing health and social services to a significant portion of the state's population. The Office of Child & Family Services (OCFS) is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.
Requirements
- Eight (8) years of education and/or professional experience in social services.
- Knowledge of OCFS programs: Child Welfare, Early Care and Education, and Operations.
- Strong technical and policy writing skills.
- Familiarity with mixed methods policy research, data analysis techniques, and experience in connecting data and research to policy and practice to guide data-driven decision-making.
- The ability to effectively and efficiently manage projects, including keeping project team members on task and the project on time.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Policy, or a related field.
- Demonstrated history in policy development, policy writing and project management.
Responsibilities
- Develop, revise, and implement evidence-based policies that are legally compliant and reflective of best practices across OCFS program areas.
- Monitor relevant legislation, policy, trends, research, and best practices nationally and in the state of Maine. Maintains knowledge of emerging issues related to OCFS’ programs and relevant policy areas.
- Lead policy research projects to present findings and recommendations, including policy and practice changes. Draft and manage policy research deliverables, including but not limited to, policy briefs, presentations, fact sheets, job aids, or other materials to support data-driven policy development and implementation.
- Implement a system of periodic evaluation and revision of current OCFS policies.
- Work closely with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts by maintaining effective relationships related to new policy and policy revisions.
- Lead interagency working groups, including but not limited to, developing work group strategy, agendas and meeting presentations, facilitating public meetings, and ensuring programmatic and statutory requirements are met.
- Engage with OCFS training staff in the implementation of trainings regarding changes to policy.
- Conduct ongoing quality assurance work to assess and make recommendations on the implementation of policy.
- Manage projects within OCFS, which may include other departments/stakeholders. Support Program Manager with other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- 13 paid holidays
- 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually (accrual increases with years of service)
- Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
- 12 days of sick leave per year
- Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums)
- Health Insurance Premium Credit (decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
- Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
- Retirement Plan (State contributes 14.06% of employee's pay to MainePERS)
- Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
- Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
- Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)
- Additional wellness benefits
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
