Out of Investigator, Children’s Licensing & Investigation Services

Overview

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Position
:
Social Services Program Specialist I

Opening Date
:
February 18, 2026

Closing Date
:
March 3, 2026

Job Class Code
: 5092

Grade
: 22 - Prof & Tech Svcs

Salary
: $47,652.80 - $66,497.60 per year*

* This is inclusive of a 1.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number
:

Location
:
We have a current vacancy that can be based in our Augusta, Portland, or Bangor offices and is full-time dispatch from home.

As an Out-of-Home Investigator you will be performing professional services work, under limited supervision, with statewide travel. You will be responsible for investigating child abuse and neglect allegations in State-licensed facilities and programs, programs subject to licensure, and programs funded by the Department. These may include but are not limited to: child care; children’s residential facilities; children’s shelters; public and private schools;

unlicensed persons funded by the Department; and summer camps.

• Plan and coordinate investigations with law enforcement and licensing entities.
• Collaborate with the public and a wide range of professionals.
• Conduct interviews with children and adults.
• Determine if child abuse and/or neglect have occurred.
• Determine if licensing violations have occurred.
• Document all investigation activities and complete final investigation reports.
• Explain statute and regulations for childcare, children's residential programs, and shelters for youth.
• Assess an individual's personal characteristics, emotional stability, and social characteristics.
• Analyze and evaluate evidence/information.
• Explain appeal rights and procedures.
• Conduct informational meetings and/or trainings.
• Participate and/or testify in hearing processes.
• Use electronic databases and word processing programs.

You will be dispatched from home to your investigation sites. Therefore, this work requires a substantial amount of travel and field activities, in addition to some office-based administrative functions. Your work will require a flexible work schedule beyond the typical 8-5, Monday-Friday standard week, as some occasional evening duties are performed.

Six (6) years of education and/or professional experience in social services casework, social services program development/delivery, or social services related fiscal/budget administration/analysis work.

Preference will be given to applicants who are licensed as a Social Worker (LSW) as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure and/or have a background in law enforcement.

In order to properly evaluate your experience, you must also respond to the following performance areas in your cover letter:

Applicants with foreign degrees must have them evaluated by the World Education Services for authentication and US equivalency and submit such authentication and equivalency with their applications.

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