Human Services Enforcement Agent

State of Maine; Ellsworth (ME); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a qualified candidate for a role in Ellsworth, Maine, focusing on locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, and enforcing child support orders. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and may include paraprofessional substitution for education.

Pre-employment screenings and fingerprint-based background checks are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, or a related field.
• Directly related paraprofessional or higher-level experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Pre-employment screening including verification of minimum qualifications, employment history, and references.
• Conditional offers are made to selected candidates who must successfully complete a pre-employment, fingerprint-based criminal history record check

Responsibilities

• Investigative services work locating non-custodial parents.
• Establishing, enforcing, and collecting child support obligations.
• Establishing paternity of children born out of wedlock.
• Enforcement actions initiating administrative collection actions.
• Initiating appropriate court action.
• Representing the Department’s interest in Maine District Court in child support matters.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, or a related field

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: October 28, 2026

Closing Date: November 10, 2026

Job Class Code: 5009

Grade:21

Salary:$25.82– $31.50 per hour*

*Employees in this classification begin at $25.82, Step 4 of the pay scale

Position Number:02000-2947 & 02000-1328

Location: Ellsworth

This position allows for partial telework with management approval based on operational needs after the first 6 months of initial training.

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

Core Responsibilities

• oInvestigative services work in locating non-custodial parents.
• oEstablishing, enforcing, and collecting child support obligations.
• oEstablishing the paternity of children born out of wedlock.
• oEnforcement services work initiating administrative collection actions.
• oInitiating appropriate court action.
• oRepresenting the Department’s interest in Maine District Court in matters pertaining to child support.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, or a related field. Directly related paraprofessional or higher-level experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Note: Applicants are subject to pre-employment screening including verification of minimum qualifications, application information, employment history, and references. Conditional offers are made to selected candidates who must successfully complete a pre-employment, fingerprint-based criminal history record check

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 lived experience and passion set you apart.

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, Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery (DSER) is responsible for the development and implementation of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to ensure that all non-custodial parents are contributing to the economic support of their children. Responsibilities include establishing paternity, locating non-custodial parents, establishing and enforcing child support orders and representing the Department’s interest in the Maine District Court in matters pertaining to child support. This position requires occasional travel.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 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 ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• 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.

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 foranything 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.

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