OCFS Policy Specialist

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The OCFS Policy & Planning Specialist works in the Office of Child and Family Services Policy & Training Unit and plays a primary role in developing, drafting, and revising policy. The position collaborates with internal and external stakeholders—including community partners, subject matter experts, and people with lived experience—to inform policy development and practice changes. It is based in an Augusta, Bangor, or Portland office. The role is classified as Social Services Program Specialist II, Grade 25 (Supervisory), and reports to or supports a Program Manager with other duties as assigned. The position develops and implements evidence-based, legally compliant policies reflecting best practices across OCFS program areas; monitors legislation, research, trends, and best practices; leads policy research and prepares related deliverables; evaluates and revises existing policies; leads interagency working groups and public meetings; coordinates policy-change training with OCFS training staff; conducts quality assurance; and manages projects. Applicants must have eight years of education and/or professional experience in social services. Preference is given to candidates with a relevant master’s degree and demonstrated policy-development, policy-writing, and project-management experience.

Requirements

Eight years of education and/or professional experience in social services.
Strong technical and policy-writing skills.
Familiarity with mixed-methods policy research and data-analysis techniques, and experience connecting data and research to policy and practice to guide data-driven decisions.
Ability to manage projects effectively and efficiently, keep project team members on task, and keep projects on schedule.
Knowledge of OCFS Child Welfare, Early Care and Education, and Operations programs is identified as an area of expertise for well-qualified candidates.

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.
Knowledge of OCFS Child Welfare, Early Care and Education, and Operations programs.

Responsibilities

Develop, revise, and implement evidence-based policies that comply with legal requirements and reflect best practices across OCFS program areas.
Monitor legislation, policies, trends, research, and best practices nationally and in Maine, and maintain knowledge of emerging issues relevant to OCFS programs.
Lead policy research projects; present findings and recommendations, including proposed policy and practice changes; and draft and manage deliverables such as policy briefs, presentations, fact sheets, and job aids.
Implement a system for periodic evaluation and revision of current OCFS policies.
Maintain effective relationships and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts on new policies and revisions.
Lead interagency working groups by developing strategies, agendas, and presentations; facilitating public meetings; and ensuring programmatic and statutory requirements are met.
Work with OCFS training staff to implement training on policy changes.
Conduct ongoing quality assurance to assess policy implementation and make recommendations.
Manage projects within OCFS, potentially involving other departments and stakeholders.
Support the Program Manager with other duties as assigned.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and more than three weeks of annual vacation leave; vacation accrual increases with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
12 days of sick leave per year.
State-paid 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for participation, subject to program requirements.
State-paid 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward MainePERS retirement.
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 deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Additional wellness benefits; benefits may vary by collective bargaining agreement and are prorated for less than full-time employment.