Home and Community Services Supervisor

Department of Health and Human Services; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Health Insurance Coverage

Retirement Plan

Parental leave

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a Social Service Program Specialist II to supervise surveyors conducting licensing surveys and complaint investigations for assisted housing and behavioral health providers in Maine. You will coordinate activities with other leaders, ensure timely scheduling, and provide staff oversight to deliver high-quality regulatory services.

The role emphasizes leadership, documentation, and technical guidance to licensees.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of education and/or professional experience in social services.
• Preferred candidates will have investigative skills/abilities to determine causes of non-compliance with regulations.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing healthcare facilities and social service programs.
• Experience leading a team in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team and lead surveyors conducting licensing surveys and complaint investigations for housing and behavioral health providers.
• Coordinate surveyor activities with unit leaders to ensure timely scheduling and oversight.
• Provide staff orientation and ongoing training; review plans of correction.
• Complete staff performance evaluations and assist with supervisory evaluations.
• Triage complaints and assign workloads; provide technical assistance to providers.
• Assist with enforcement decisions and document related actions; review waivers.

Skills

Investigative skills

Knowledge of regulations

Team leadership

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State. . Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Social Services Program Specialist II Opening Date: October 28, 2026 Closing Date: November 10, 2026 Job Class Code: 5093 Grade: 25 (Supervisory) Salary: $61,193.60 - $86,403.20 per year* *This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend Position Number: 02031-2462 Location: Portland, Lewiston, or Augusta This position allows for partial telework with management approval. Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Core Responsibilities

As a Social Service Program Specialist II, you will be directly supervising a team and providing leadership and supervision to surveyors conducting licensing surveys and complaint investigations for assisted housing and behavioral health providers. You will coordinate surveyor activities with other leaders/manager of this unit, will ensure that licensing surveys and complaint investigations are appropriately scheduled in a timely manner, that staff have necessary oversight and support to complete their work efficiently and effectively, that all documentation is completed in accordance with unit policies/procedures and that technical assistance is available to licensees. You will also:

• Review statements of deficiencies to ensure they are written in accordance with the principles of documentation.
• Provide orientation training for new staff and ongoing training for current staff.
• Review plans of correction to ensure acceptable response to identified deficiencies.
• Complete performance evaluations for the staff supervised and assist the Program Manager in administrative support staff evaluations.
• Triage complaints and assign workloads.
• Provide technical assistance to providers and facilitate meetings when necessary to ensure that providers and assigned team understands the licensing regulations and license application requirements.
• Assist Program Manager with enforcement decisions and documentation.
• Review and make recommendations to DLC leadership regarding facility waivers.
• Communicate, as necessary, with the Office of Aging and Disability Services, the Office of Behavioral Health, the Office of MaineCare Services and the Office of Child and Family Services to ensure that all agencies are aware of licensing-related issues and deficiencies.
• Monitor and collect program reports, data, and related information in order to evaluate program performance and generate information for department decision making.
• Review and assess statistical data regarding type, nature, and frequency of services delivered in order to prepare required and requested service delivery reports.
• Participation in onsite surveys.

Minimum Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must have eight (8) years of education and/or professional experience in social services. An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in the healthcare or social services field. Preferred candidates will have:

• Investigative skills/abilities in order to determine underlying causes of non-compliance with state/federal regulations
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing healthcare facilities and social service programs
• Experience working in assisted housing and behavioral health facilities/programs
• Experience leading a team in a supervisory/team lead role

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 mission of the Division of Licensing and Certification is to ensure Maine’s citizens receive quality and effective health care and social services by developing and applying regulatory standards that help people have safe and appropriate outcomes.

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 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. 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. 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.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

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.