Me Program Specialist

Overview

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date:
January 22, 2026

Closing Date:
February 4, 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 can be located in our Augusta, Bangor or Portland office.

Limited Period Position

Core Responsibilities:

• This position provides professional oversight of a component of the Help Me Grow program, including planning, coordination, and administration of program operations. Responsibilities include developing and implementing statewide policies and procedures; using data to support planning and evaluation; supervising assigned functions; and overseeing systems that support program delivery. The position ensures program performance, compliance with policies and quality standards, and maintains consistent, up-to-date administrative and operational systems.
  
  Work is performed under limited supervision.
• Oversees system operations, including approval of system changes, acceptance of work activities, coordination of testing resources, and ensuring effective and consistent service delivery.
• Manages a small caseload to maintain direct service experience and inform program oversight and decision-making.
• Reviews and analyzes program goals, policies, procedures, and operations to maintain accurate, up-to-date administrative and operational systems and to recommend improvements.
• Conducts ongoing quality assurance activities, including monitoring program performance, reviewing casework and operational outputs for accuracy and compliance, identifying trends or deficiencies, and recommending corrective actions to improve consistency and service quality.
• Evaluates State and Federal regulatory changes and develops or recommends new or revised rules, policies, and procedures to improve program effectiveness and meet recipient needs.
• Serves as lead in federal fidelity reporting tasks, ensuring HMG Maine is in compliance with all standards and requirements.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of early childhood development (birth–5) early learning system, Developmental Screening, Parenting Support, developmental assessment and evaluation.
• Knowledge of state and federal systems, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and programs affecting children birth–5 and their families, including human services, mental health/developmental disabilities, eligibility criteria, provider services, and departmental and regional operations.
• Knowledge of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, budgeting, planning, evaluation, training resources, and administrative functions.
• Ability to develop program plans, goals, and objectives; evaluate program and administrative data; and identify and address program or service deficiencies.
• Ability to coordinate, monitor, and manage program and regional operations, including determining needs for purchased services and coordinating inter-agency resources.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with community and departmental stakeholders, and to negotiate and advocate for services.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and to use applicable computer programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

The backgrounds of well-qualified candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:

Please submit a cover letter…