Adult Protective Services Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation leave

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Gym membership reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services in Portland, Maine, seeks a Human Services Caseworker to perform APS investigations, protect vulnerable adults, and coordinate guardianship actions. The role requires licensure eligibility and a background in social work.

The position emphasizes thorough documentation, court testimony when needed, and ongoing client assessments with a focus on safety and service coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Social Work or related field with 12 behavioral/social science/ social work courses; eligible for LSW licensure.
• Minimum 1 year of experience with incapacitated and dependent adults.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including APS investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, guardianship studies.
• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; identify and arrange support services; petition for guardianship as appropriate.
• Communicate with reporters to determine APS involvement and document information electronically.
• Assess need for public guardianship; file petitions and testify in court as necessary.
• Workload includes conducting investigations, documenting case notes, advocating for services, and visiting clients regularly.

Skills

APS investigations

Adult protective services

Document management

Education

Bachelor's in Social Work

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Human Services Caseworker Opening Date: October 15, 2026 Closing Date: October 28, 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: 02000-1795 Location: Portland - this position requires travel throughout Cumberland County. 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.
• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated and dependent adults, Identify and arrange for support services, and petition for public guardianship and conservatorship as appropriate.
• Communicate with individuals reporting to APS to determine whether APS has authority to become involved and document all relevant information electronically.
• Assess the need for public guardianship. Complete and file petitions and testify in Court as necessary.

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 and guardian representative activities in the form of case notes.
• Advocating for and coordinating provision of services.
• Visiting individuals regularly for ongoing assessment of needs and safety.
• Maintaining accurate case records of activities; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
• Exercising discretion in decision making in carrying out investigation and guardian representative activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have a Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelors 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; AND must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure. 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.

NECESSARY 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].

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 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.

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.

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.

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.