Job Description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date: October 28, 2026

Closing Date: November 10, 2026

Job Class Code: 5093

Grade: 25 (Supervisory)

Salary: $61,193.60 - $86,403.20 per year*

*This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02000-3929

Location: Augusta

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Core Responsibilities:

As an Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Specialist, you will play an important role within a multi-office team supporting the CCBHC model. You will assist in the ongoing operations and refinement of Maine’s CCBHC model, supporting programmatic interests across the lifespan. This initiative will leverage and adapt national standards for community-based behavioral health services to best meet the needs of children and adults seeking behavioral health services in Maine.

As the CCBHC Specialist, you will offer project leadership and management; ensure the CCBHC initiative is aligned with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/CBHS strategic priorities; participate in all aspects of model operations and initiatives across DHHS offices; participate in stakeholder advisory groups as requested; execute workplans, timelines, project milestones, and identify the staff/organizations responsible for each activity; write and present updates and reports on project activities to OBH leadership; deliver or co-deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders and/or committees regarding implementation activities and accomplishments.

Additionally, the CCBHC Specialist will hold a key role in programmatic implementation and oversight of a recently awarded SAMHSA Children’s Mental Health Initiative Grant, aimed at strengthening Maine’s CCBHC model in select communities and developing a Single Point of Access for behavioral health services.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, you must have an eight (8) year combination of education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: healthcare, social service or health plan administration; health planning; policy or program design and implementation; healthcare-related program operations or project management.

Preference given to candidates with professional and/or clinical degrees in behavioral health (psychology, social work), human services, public administration, healthcare administration, public health or another comparable field.

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

1. Ability to effectively and efficiently lead complex initiatives, manage timelines and milestones, coordinate staff and organizational responsibilities, monitor progress, and ensure successful implementation of program objectives.
2. Knowledge of community-based behavioral health service delivery, the CCBHC model, and behavioral health needs across the lifespan.
3. Ability to collaborate with multiple offices, community organizations, advisory groups, and external partners.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office of Behavioral Health is responsible for leadership and active partnership with community providers to support communities and individuals with substance use disorder and mental health conditions across the prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery system.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Debra Poulin, Deputy Director of the Office of Behavioral Health at Debra.Poulin@Maine.gov

To apply, please upload a cover letter addressing the competency areas identified in the requirements section, a writing sample and a resume.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@Maine.gov

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.