Senior Policy & Planning Lead – Child & Family Services

MaineGuide; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 61,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

3+ weeks of vacation leave

Health Insurance Coverage

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Gym Membership Reimbursement

Flexible Spending Accounts

Public Service Student Loan Forgivable

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Maine invites applications for the Social Services Program Specialist II to help shape policy and practice across OCFS. You will work with diverse stakeholders to draft and revise policies that advance child and family services.

Eight years of social services experience and a Masters in a related field are preferred. The role emphasizes policy writing, research, and project leadership within a state government setting.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of education and/or professional experience in social services.
• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Policy, or related field.
• Experience in policy development, policy writing and project management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and implement evidence-based policies that are legally compliant and reflective of best practices across OCFS program areas.
• Monitor relevant legislation, policy, trends, research, and best practices nationally and in the state of Maine.
• Lead policy research projects to present findings and recommendations, including policy and practice changes.
• Implement a system of periodic evaluation and revision of current OCFS policies.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts by maintaining effective relationships related to new policy and policy revisions.
• Leads interagency working groups, including developing work group strategy, agendas and meeting presentations, facilitating public meetings, and ensuring programmatic and statutory requirements are met.
• Engage with OCFS training staff in the implementation of trainings regarding changes to policy.
• Conduct ongoing quality assurance work to assess and make recommendations on the implementation of policy.
• Managing projects within OCFS, which may include other departments/stakeholders. Support Program Manager with other duties as assigned.

Skills

Policy writing

Policy development

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Research

Data analysis

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Policy, or related field

Eight years of education/experience in social services

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Maine invites applications for the Social Services Program Specialist II to help shape policy and practice across OCFS. You will work with diverse stakeholders to draft and revise policies that advance child and family services.

Eight years of social services experience and a Masters in a related field are preferred. The role emphasizes policy writing, research, and project leadership within a state government setting.