Director, Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery

Department of Health and Human Services; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 97,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Parental leave

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services in Augusta, ME seeks a Public Service Manager III to lead division operations and staff, aligning priorities with policies and performance measures. The role requires coordinating programs, managing funds, and ensuring compliance with state and national standards.

The position emphasizes staff oversight, effective communication, and collaboration across DHHS divisions and with external partners in Maine.

Qualifications

• Ten-year combined education and professional experience in administration or supervisory roles.
• Proven ability to manage mission-critical programs in a large organization.
• Strong leadership, delegation, and accountability for work products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate division operations, staff, and contractors to meet priorities.
• Coordinate division activities with supervisors for quality planning and implementation.
• Conduct strategic planning aligning with best practices and available funding.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Staff development

Project management

Interagency collaboration

Budget oversight

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Service Manager III

Opening Date: November 5, 2026 Closing Date: November 19, 2026

Job Class Code: MA36 Grade: 36 (Confidential) Salary: $97,032.00 - $137,446.40 per year

Position Number: 02000-1258

Location: Augusta -ANTICIPATED VACANCY-

Core Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, organize, and coordinate division operations, staff, contractors, and functions to establish and implement operational priorities. Ensure defined objectives, policies, procedures, and standards are met and maintained.
• Ensure coordination of all division activities, both collective and program specific, through work with supervisors to ensure quality planning and implementation using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach.
• Conduct division-wide strategic planning to align division and program efforts with national best practices, performance measures associated with available funding, and emerging needs within Maine.
• Provide fiscal and administrative oversight of DSER, including working closely with OCSE to ensure that DSER is meeting its compliance and operational expectations.
• Develop and implement division policies and procedures.
• Ensure collaboration throughout and across division/program areas of DSER and other offices of DHHS, as appropriate.
• Provide staff development and supervise program staff including hiring, performance management, coaching, and personnel actions, as necessary.
• Represent DSER and DHHS on relevant committees (including Legislative) and work groups as needed and appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• A ten-year combination of education and professional level administrative or supervisory experience in business, human services programming, management, or related functions. At least three of those years must include management of supervisory staff and above.
• A proven ability to successfully manage mission critical programs and operations within a large organization.
• A history of being an effective leader and project manager, delegating and holding others accountable for their work products, and bringing initiatives to successful implementation.
• The ability to establish effective internal and interagency working relationships.
• Exceptional communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• A record consistently demonstrating strong personal attributes including coaching/mentoring/ team-building skills, self-organizational skills, effective decision-making, and professional integrity.

Additional Competencies

• Leadership – Demonstrated ability to manage, coach, inspire, and motivate staff and others to accomplish mission and goals by providing clear direction and positive interpersonal influence.
• Achievement orientation – A record of achieving agency goals through measuring and monitoring organizational and individual performance.
• Employee Development – Accurately accesses strengths and development needs of employees. Provides challenging assignments and opportunities for development.
• Customer service orientation – Commitment to meeting consumer needs and building partnerships with constituents, staff, and other state agencies.

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 for Family Independence (OFI) is responsible for administration of a number of programs and services, including MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Child Support, and Disability Determinations.

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 experience and passion set you apart.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine

Benefits of working for the State of Maine: 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. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• 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 18.86% 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.

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.