Crisis Team Caseworker at State of Maine in South Portland, ME

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Human Services Caseworker

Opening Date: May 12, 2026

Closing Date: May 26, 2026

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.

Starting pay for new employees hired into this position is $27.73/hour

Position Number: 03030-3938

Location: South Portland (this position requires travel throughout Cumberland, York and Oxford Counties.)

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

Core Responsibilities:

As a Human Services Caseworker for the Office of Aging and Disability Services, you will:

• Perform professional social work for eligible adults with developmental disabilities, including case management.
• Coordinate the provision of services including housing, employment, direct supports, and the promotion of community inclusion.
• Participate in care planning which includes plan writing and extensive documentation. Provide case management activities for adults under guardianship/conservatorship including medical, psychiatric, and placement.
   

Your workload will include:

• Advocating for and coordinating provision of services including reviewing, analyzing, and documenting person-centered plans, care plans and behavior plans.

• Visiting clients regularly for ongoing assessment of needs and safety including assessing living arrangements and support systems.
• Maintaining accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
• Discussing and documenting progress with the individual and the treatment team.
• Evaluating impact of services and exercising discretion in decision making in order to determine the continued need for, modification or in some cases, termination of services.
• Monitoring community-based Medicaid Waiver programs and documenting progress and outcomes.
• Participating in crisis resolution using crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Collaborating with Adult Protective Services and Crisis Prevention/Intervention Services when necessary to stabilize and secure emergency needs.
• Comply with the requirements of State Policies, including those concerning human resource components of security protocols of agency information security and confidentiality policies for state business purposes.
• Independently compose, review, edit, and/or approve correspondence.
• Review, evaluate, and provide recommendations on program policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Educate the public regarding the implementation of systems operations and assist with the associated workflow. 
• Develop and recommend new work methods and administrative policies/procedures to improve existing work practices.
• Apply to non-routine individual cases an explanation and interpretation of applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
• Liaise between supervisor and internal and external sources on key matters.
• Interpret and implement the policies and decisions of superiors.
• Represent supervisor/program at public meetings, including explaining organizational, program, and/or project goals.
• Monitor, track and move DS clients onto necessary waivers who are in emergency transitional housing.
• Other special projects as assigned by the Crisis Program Administrator

Minimum Qualifications:

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. Please submit a copy of your transcripts with your application materials. Applications without transcripts will be deemed incomplete and may not be processed. 

The background of well-qualified candidates will include at least 3 years’ experience working providing support services and/or direct care to clients and families with developmental disabilities or a directly related human service field. They will demonstrate strong organization skills along with experience with Positive Support Plans.  Please describe that experience in your cover letter.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 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/social welfare. An LSW-Conditional requires an earned BA/BS in a field related to social work/social welfare. 

Possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

*Chapter 10 of the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure regulations defines a field related to social work or social welfare as including but not limited to: “behavioral science, social and behavioral sciences, childhood development, education, human development, mental health and human services, psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitation services, and sociology.”

The board will consider degrees in other areas on an individual basis. For additional information on degree requirements, contact the Maine Board of Social Work Licensure at (207) 624-8603. 

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 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.

The OADS’ Crisis Prevention/Intervention team assists individuals and their families, guardians, and community providers during and after crisis incidents.

The Crisis program operates 24 hours per day. The Crisis Case Manager hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8a-5p, weekends and holidays off.

This position reports directly to the Crisis Program Administrator working on special projects.

Application Information:

For questions about this position, please contact Lorrie Mitchell at Lorrie.Mitchell@maine.gov. 

To apply complete the application, upload your current resume and a cover letter addressing the competencies in the minimum qualifications section, and a copy of your post-secondary transcripts.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@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%-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 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.

.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.