Adult Protective Services Caseworker

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Human Services Caseworker

Opening Date: December 9, 2024 

Closing Date: December 20, 2024

Job Class Code: 5069   
Grade: 22 (P&T)   
Salary: $25.68 - $34.65 per hour*
*Pay includes a $3.00/hour stipend. An additional $1.00/hour stipend is available with a relevant Masters Degree. 

Position Number: 02022-0031

Location: Augusta—this position requires travel throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties.

As an Adult Protective Caseworker, you will: 
•    Perform professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including Adult Protective Services Intake, Investigation, and Public Guardianship and/or conservatorship duties. 
•    Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated and dependent adults, Identify and arrange for support services, and petition for public guardianship and conservatorship as appropriate. 
•    Communicate with individuals reporting to APS to determine whether APS has authority to become involved and document all relevant information electronically.
•    Act as the Public guardian representative for adults under guardianship/conservatorship. This includes medical, psychiatric, placement, and financial decision-making, and involves regular face to face contact with adults under guardianship/conservatorship and their caregivers, medical professionals, and family members. 

Your workload will include: 
•    Performing the APS investigations process in a timely manner, which includes interviewing clients, alleged perpetrators, and collateral contacts and requesting and reviewing records as necessary.
•    Documenting all investigation and guardian representative activities in the form of case notes.
•    Advocating for and coordinating provision of services. 
•    Visiting individuals regularly for ongoing assessment of needs and safety.
•    Maintaining accurate case records of activities; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
•    Exercising discretion in decision making in carrying out investigation and guardian representative activities.
•    Acting as Representative Payee/Conservator for individuals.
•    Serving as Public Guardian agent, making decisions to promote individual self-determination consistent with the best interests, health and well-being of public wards.

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have 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. 

The background of well-qualified candidates will include at least 1 year of experience working with incapacitated and dependent adults. Please describe that experience in your cover letter. 

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 Worker Licensure. (An LSW requires an earned BA/BS in social work. An LSW-Conditional requires an earned BA/BS in a field related to social work.)

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 of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, support and well-being of Maine’s older citizens, vulnerable adults and adults with disabilities

Application Information:

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

For questions, please contact Heather.Pease@Maine.gov

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.L.Harman@Maine.gov

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, 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%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 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. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% 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 fathers 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 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.