Child Protective Services Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services; Ellsworth (ME); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated individuals to join their Child Protective Services team. In this rewarding role, you will provide vital case management services to ensure the safety and well-being of children across Maine. You'll engage with families, assess their needs, and collaborate with community resources to create supportive solutions. This position offers exceptional training opportunities and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and families. If you're passionate about social work and child welfare, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field required.
• Must be eligible for Licensed Social Worker (LSW) licensure.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work in child protection and adoption.
• Engage families to assess child safety and make plans.
• Maintain accurate case records and follow legal mandates.

Skills

Social Work

Case Management

Child Protection

Family Engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work/Social Welfare

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Job description

Opening Date: March 31, 2025

Closing Date: April 30, 2025

Job Class Code: 5077

Grade: 24
Salary: $32.35- $42.34 per hour*
* Hourly rate includes a $7.50/hr. recruitment and retention stipend

Want to make a real difference in the lives of Maine children? The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) within DHHS is looking for people committed to protecting the rights and well-being of children by providing professional case management services for our clients throughout the State of Maine. As a Child Protective Services Caseworker, you will develop investigative and case management skills and build extensive contacts within the judicial, law enforcement, educational, and social services communities. If you’re in search of a career that is professionally and personally rewarding, offers exceptional training and educational opportunities, and supports children and families in Maine, this could be your next career opportunity.

We have current vacancies in our Augusta, Skowhegan, Portland, Lewiston, Rockland, Bangor, Sanford, Biddeford, Machias, Ellsworth, and Caribou offices.

As a Child Protective Services Caseworker you will:

• Perform professional social work in the areas of child protection, children’s services, and adoption.
• Engage families to assess child safety and make plans which best meet the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of their children.
• Create a team for each family consisting of family, staff, and community resources to support safe solutions for children.
• Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner, with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders to assure child safety.
• Assess:
  • child safety, abuse, and neglect, and signs of danger.
  • family strengths and capabilities.
  • family functioning;
• Separate unsafe caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required to make children safe.
• Make appropriate plans for children, focusing on their safety needs, preservation of family relationships, reunifying children when appropriate, or achieving a permanent placement in another family if needed.
• Maintain accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; summaries; reports; letters and memos.
• Follow federal and state laws, mandates, policy, and timeframes to achieve child safety, well-being, and permanency. Perform case planning and when needed, petition for protective custody and placement of children.

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited education institution in Social Work/Social Welfare, or a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited educational institution in a field related to social work/social welfare as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: 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 Work 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.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Lisa Bullard, Recruitment and Retention Specialist at [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail]. To apply, please upload a resume and state your degree information as identified in the Minimum Qualifications Section.

Work requires frequent overtime, emergency standby coverage, and regular travel within the geographic area served by a District Office.