Child Protective Services Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 83,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Gym reimbursement

FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts)

Parental leave

Public service student loan relief

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services in Rockland, Maine seeks a professional social worker for child protection, family services, and adoption support. The role involves assessing safety, planning for permanency, and coordinating with families and community resources.

You will maintain case records, ensure compliance with federal and state laws, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to protect children and promote well‑being. Overtime and travel within the district are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field with 12 behavioral/social science courses required or eligible for licensure as an LSW.
• Must have or be eligible for conditional or full LSW licensure per Maine Board of Social Worker Licensure.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work in child protection, services, and adoption.
• Engage families to assess safety and plan for safety, well‑being, and permanency.
• Create a team for each family with resources to support safe solutions for children.
• Reach safety decisions timely with input from families, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with laws and timeframes.

Skills

Detail oriented

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work/Social Welfare

LSW licensure eligibility

Job description

Job Details

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Opening Date: September 1, 2026
Closing Date: Open Continuously
Job Class Code: 5077
Grade: 24
Salary: $32.35 - $42.34 per hour* * Hourly rate includes a $7.50/hr. recruitment and retention stipend
Location: Rockland
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Responsibilities

• 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 families.
• 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.

Job Requirements

Successful candidates will be:

• detail oriented
• able to effectively manage and meet deadlines.

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

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 determined by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.

Required Licensure

Need to 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.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Child & Family Services (OCFS), within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families through community networks, local resources, and life-long family connections throughout Maine.

Equality Statement

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.