Child Protective Services Caseworker Supervisor

maine; Sanford (ME); On-site; USD 80,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Maine is seeking a Child Protective Services Casework Supervisor in Sanford. You will lead a team of caseworkers and support staff, ensuring high-quality child protection, adoption, and substitute care services.

Responsibilities include workload management, guidance on difficult cases, coordination with partners, and oversight of service delivery to meet state and federal standards.

Qualifications

• Eight years of education and/or professional experience in social work, including at least two years as a fully licensed social worker (LSW). Master’s degree preferred.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) is required.
• Preference given to candidates with MACWIS/Katahdin knowledge and four years of experience as a fully-licensed social worker.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, direct, and monitor activities of caseworkers and staff in child protection, adoption, and substitute care.
• Assess and assign casework loads and provide guidance on cases and service delivery.
• Research and collaborate with staff and peers to resolve critical and crisis situations.
• Ensure established quality service standards are maintained.
• Counsel workers on casework to resolve caseload problems and difficult cases.

Skills

Child welfare casework

MACWIS/Katahdin knowledge

Licensed Social Worker experience

Education

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: September 23, 2026

Closing Date: October 6, 2026

Job Class Code: 5078

Grade: 27 (Supervisory Svcs)

Salary: $80,329.60 - $106,995.20 per year*

*This is inclusive of a $7.50/hr. stipend. This position is eligible for an additional $1.00/hr. stipend for employees possessing a related Master's Degree.

Position Number: 02000-3727

Location: We have a vacancy in our Sanford office.

Core Responsibilities:

As a Child Protective Services Casework Supervisor, you will plan, coordinate, direct, and monitor the activities of caseworkers and support staff in the areas of child protection, adoption, and substitute care assigned to your unit. You will assess and assign casework loads; and review, monitor and provide guidance to your staff concerning cases and service delivery. You will research and work with staff and peers to resolve critical and crisis situations.

• Ensuring established quality service standards are maintained.
• Conferring with and counseling workers regarding casework in order to assist with difficult cases and caseload problems.
• Reviewing and comparing work performance and/or products of staff with established standards to assess employee productivity levels and training needs.
• Connecting with other agencies and community resources to coordinate services, promote necessary community resources, and monitor cooperative agreements.
• Evaluating and recommending program-wide changes and establishing unit procedures and goals in order to upgrade the quality and continuity of services.
• Coordinating activities between unit and service providers to effectively deliver social services to agency clients.
• Authorizing service provision and client/caseworker expenditures.
• Negotiating various contracts and agreements with service providers and others to ensure appropriate services are provided.
• Analyzing and reviewing cases to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, standards, and requirements, and initiate and participate in court hearings.
• Directing, coordinating, and/or participating in after-hours coverage to ensure appropriate staffing.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, your background must include eight (8) years of education and/or professional experience in social work which includes at least two (2) years experience as a fully licensed social worker* (LSW). A Master's degree is preferred.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Licensed Social Worker (LSW).

Preference will be extended to candidates possessing the following skills/experience:

• Recent experience in professional child welfare casework.
• A thorough knowledge of and recent experience working with MACWIS/Katahdin.
• Four years experience as a fully-licensed social worker.

*Special Note: An LMSW or LCSW automatically meets the two (2) years fully licensed social worker experience requirement.

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.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine s