Senior Planner

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: June 14, 2024

Closing Date: June 28, 2024

Job Class Code: 0603

Grade: 25 (Professional & Technical Services)

Salary: $ 52,832.00- $ 71,240.00/yr.

Position Number: 02000-3973

Location: Portland

Core Responsibilities:

DHHS' Office for Family Independence is looking for a Regional Senior Planner for the ASPIRE program. This position will be based out of the Portland DHHS off and cover the Portland and Biddeford areas.

The Regional Senior Planner will provide Whole Family Case Coordination services to ASPIRE participants. The position will be assigned specific cases to monitor and with which to serve as a liaison between those households and service providers, State agencies, case managers, and other resources. Coordination of services is to be provided to address cases with special circumstances that could benefit from additional support and community services, and attention to barriers that may or may not be initially disclosed or evident to the ASPIRE program (including, but not limited to, domestic violence, substance use, language, developmental challenges, education, parenting skills, and other personal and environmental factors). These positions will interpret existing situations and complement ASPIRE's employment- and education-focused efforts through coordination with all caseworkers and stakeholders invested in the household, other federal, State, and DHHS programs, and community resources.

OFI staff will analyze data gathered regarding outcomes for participant households. These positions will monitor, coordinate, and ensure access to available resources for all members of participant households.

Tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Researching assigned areas to determine existing and available services.

• Interpreting the existing situation of a household to develop recommendations and policies.

• Collecting monthly data and entering it into an excel spreadsheet reports so data can inform practice.

• Administering projects which impact assigned area in order to ensure work is accomplished in accordance with established procedure and optimize the use of allocated resources.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree in Social Services or a related field and four (4) years of experience in the development, delivery, or administration of public sector social service programs, or comparable experience in a public service environment. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive attitude, a desire to help people, and a desire to work in a team atmosphere. Knowledge of public assistance programs, OFI, and the TANF and ASPIRE Programs is highly preferred.

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:

1.Exceptional communication skills including the ability to work with various segments of the population.

2.The ability and past experience to thrive in an organization going through significant change and constant evolution.

3.Experience that highlights an ability to achieve results.

4.The ability to work independently and accomplish goals.

Thinking about applying?

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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 for Family Independence (OFI) is responsible for administration of a number of programs and services, including MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Child Support, and Disability Determinations.

Application Information:

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

To apply, please upload a resume, cover letter, and transcript (transcript needed only if education is used to meet the minimum qualifications)

For additional information about this position please contact Marcus Hatch at (207) 890-6810 or by email at Marcus.Hatch@Maine.gov .

To request a paper application, please contact Ashley.Smith@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 ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 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 ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan

• The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% 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 part-time employment.

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.