Child Protective Services Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date:
September 10, 2025

Closing Date:
Open Continuously

Job Class Code: 5077
Grade: 24
Salary: $32.35- $42.34 per hour
* * Hourly rate includes a $7.50/hr. recruitment and retention stipend

Link to realistic job preview

Want to make a real difference in the lives of Maine children? The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) within DHHS is looking for people committed to protecting the rights and well-being of children by providing professional case management services for our clients throughout the State of Maine. As a Child Protective Services Caseworker, you will develop investigative and case management skills and build extensive contacts within the judicial, law enforcement, educational, and social services communities.

We have current vacancies in our Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford, Caribou, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lewiston, Machias, Portland, Rockland, Sanford, and Skowhegan offices.

• Perform professional social work in the areas of child protection, children’s services, and adoption.
• Engage families to assess child safety and make plans which best meet the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of their children.
• Create a team for each family consisting of family, staff, and community resources to support safe solutions for children.
• Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner, with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders to assure child safety.
• Assess child safety, abuse, and neglect, and signs of danger.
• Assess family strengths and capabilities.
• Assess family functioning.
• Separate unsafe caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required to make children safe.
• Make appropriate plans for children, focusing on their safety needs, preservation of family relationships, reunifying children when appropriate, or achieving a permanent placement in another family if needed.
• Maintain accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; summaries; reports; letters and memos.
• Follow federal and state laws, mandates, policy, and time frames to achieve child safety, well-being, and permanency.

Successful candidates will be detail oriented and able to effectively manage and meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelor's Degree in a related social service/social welfare/social work area which includes at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work; AND must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Applicants must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure.

• 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.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums.
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (Maine
  
  PERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave
  .

Maine State Government is an Equal Opportunity employer, committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members. We appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 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.