Early Care and Education Program Navigator

Overview

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date:
January 28, 2026

Closing Date:
February 10, 2026

Job Class Code: 5093

Grade: 25 (Supervisory Services)

Salary: $58,552.00 - $82,700.80 per year*

* This is inclusive of a 2.00% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number:

Location:

This position is located in our Augusta office and may require some statewide travel.

As the Early Care and Education (ECE) Salary Supplement Navigator, you will play a vital role in planning, coordinating, and administering a component of an early care and education systems grant, which connects child care owners and directors to child care resources, grants, programs, and services. Some of your core responsibilities will be:

• Assisting in the daily operations of the ECE Salary Supplement System
• Ensuring the adequate provision of consistent and effective programs and services
• Develop and recommend new and revised policies and procedures to improve program operations and meet recipient needs statewide
• Reviewing and assessing individual child care provider goals, objectives, plans, and processes to connect owners and directors with child care resources, services, and programs

• Knowledge of early childhood (birth-5) development pedagogy, and relevant state and federal systems that impact these children and their families
• Knowledge of current learning research and exemplary early childhood educational instructional strategies in all early learning domains
• Knowledge of exemplary evidence-based early childhood curriculum, learner-centered instruction, differential learning, assessment, developmental education, and experiential learning, and understanding of the relationships among these areas
• Knowledge of or experience in Department grants, contracts, and purchase of services and cooperative agreements, budgeting, and program evaluation

An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in specific option area (early care and education or social services).

Please submit a cover letter addressing your skills and/or prior experience in each of the areas above.

To apply , please upload a recent resume (if available) and cover letter addressing each of the preferred skills/experience areas above. Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format. To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.

Hernandez

Benefits include a comprehensive package and wellness programs. The following highlights are provided for reference:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. 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 pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums, depending on salary. Premium costs vary by plan and family coverage.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation may decrease employee-only premiums by up to 5%.
• Dental Insurance – State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums.
• Retirement Plan – State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards Maine
  
  PERS.
• Parental Leave – Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for eligible new parents, with additional unpaid leave possible under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive benefits package, including wellness programs offered through the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. Benefits may vary by collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There is a commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including historically excluded communities. 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 assist with an alternative submission method.