Children’s Emergency Services Caseworker

Department of Marine Resources; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) is seeking a Child Protective Services Caseworker in Portland, Maine. The role involves professional social work in child protection, family engagement, and case planning to safeguard children.

Responsibilities include assessing safety, assembling teams of resources, and ensuring timely, legally compliant case documentation and actions. Travel and overtime are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work/Social Welfare or related field with required behavioral science coursework.
• Eligibility for conditional or full LSW licensure as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
• The Maine Board REGULATIONS define related fields and may require additional information.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work in child protection, children's services, and adoption.
• Engage families to assess child safety and plan for safety, well-being, and permanency.
• Create a team for each family with resources to support safe solutions.
• Reach factually supported safety decisions promptly with input from families and community stakeholders.
• Assess child safety, abuse, neglect, family strengths, and functioning.
• Separate dangerous caregivers from children when court action is needed.
• Make plans for children's safety and permanency, including reunification or permanent placement.
• Maintain accurate case records, summaries, reports, and letters.
• Follow laws, mandates, policies, and timeframes; petition for protective custody when needed.

Skills

Detail oriented

Deadline management

Time management

Education

BA/BS in Social Work or Social Welfare

BA/BS in related social service field with 12 courses in behavioral/social sciences

LSW licensure eligibility

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Child Protective Services Caseworker

Opening Date: November 2, 2026

Closing Date: Open Continuously

Job Class Code: 5077

Grade: 24

Salary: $33.47 - $43.91 per hour**Hourly rate includes a $7.50 per hour recruitment and retention stipend. This position is also eligible for an additional $1 per hour stipend for a qualifying master's degree, and a shift differential of forty-five cents ($.45) per hour.

Location: Portland

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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.

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 dangerous 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

Successful candidates will be:

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

Work requires frequent overtime, emergency standby coverage, and regular travel which requires a valid driver's license. The schedule for this position is Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 2PM-10PM, with Wednesday and Thursday off.

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.
• 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.
• *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 and human development, mental health and human services, psychology, 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