Adult Protective Services Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services; Bangor (ME); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan (MainePERS)

Gym membership reimbursement

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services seeks a Human Services Caseworker in Bangor, ME. The role involves performing professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including APS investigations, guardianship studies, and decision-making capacity assessments, with travel across Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and partial telework with management approval.

Minimum qualifications include a BA in Social Work or related field and at least 1 year of relevant experience; U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field with at least 12 behavioral/social science courses.
• At least 1 year of experience working with incapacitated and dependent adults; describe experience in cover letter.
• Submit transcripts with the application materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including APS Investigations, guardianship studies, and capacity assessments.
• Assess need for public guardianship; file petitions and testify in court as needed.
• Investigate abuse, neglect, and exploitation; identify and arrange for support services.
• Perform APS investigations in a timely manner; interview clients, alleged perpetrators, and collateral contacts; review records.
• Document all investigation activities; maintain case records, write summaries/reports/memos; advocate for services.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Bachelor’s Degree in related social services/social welfare

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Human Services Caseworker

Opening Date: November 3, 2026 Closing Date: November 17, 2026

Job Class Code: 5069 Grade: 22 (P&T) Salary: $26.70 - $36.07 per hour* *Pay includes a $3.00/hour stipend. An additional $1.00/hour stipend is available with a relevant Masters degree. *Starting pay for new employees hired into this position is $28.84 per hour, step 3 of the pay scale.

Position Number: 02023-2731

Location: Bangor-this position requires travel throughout Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. This position allows for partial telework with management approval. Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including Adult Protective Services Investigations of abuse, neglect and exploitation, guardianship studies and assessing for capacity to make decisions.
• Assess the need for public guardianship. Complete and file petitions and testify in Court as necessary.
• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated and dependent adults, Identify and arrange for support services.

Your Workload Will Include

• Performing the APS investigations process in a timely manner, which includes interviewing clients, alleged perpetrators, and collateral contacts and requesting and reviewing records as necessary.
• Documenting all investigation activities in the form of case notes.
• Advocating for and coordinating provision of services.
• Maintaining accurate case records of activities; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
• Exercising discretion in decision making in carrying out investigation activities.

Minimum Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelor’s Degree in a related social service/social welfare/social work* area which includes at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work. Please submit a copy of your transcripts with your application materials. The background of well-qualified candidates will include at least 1 year of experience working with incapacitated and dependent adults. Please describe that experience in your cover letter.

Special Requirements

Applicants 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 Worker Licensure. An LSW requires an earned BA/BS in social work/social welfare. An LSW-Conditional requires an earned BA/BS in a field related to social work/social welfare. Possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License. *Chapter 10 of the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure regulations defines a field related to social work or social welfare as including but not limited to: "behavioral science, social and behavioral sciences, childhood development, education, human development, mental health and human services, psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitation services, and sociology." The board will consider degrees in other areas on an individual basis. For additional information on degree requirements, contact the Maine Board of Social Work Licensure at [phone].

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 Aging and Disability Services (OADS) within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, support and well-being of Maine’s older citizens, vulnerable adults and adults with disabilities.

Benefits of Working for the State of Maine

• 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 - 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.