State of Maine·Augusta, Maine
Provide paraprofessional support involving the direct care and rehabilitation of patients with severe and persistent mental illness. Responsibilities include implementing treatment programs and providing patient education.
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.
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Open Date: 07/01/2026
Close Date: Open Continuously
*Hourly rate is inclusive of a $1.00 per hour salary stipend and a $1.00 per hour direct care stipend. Applicants with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificates, and who are on the State's CNA registry, will be paid an additional $.50 per hour.
Location: Augusta, Maine
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
Do you have a passion for mental healthcare, but haven’t found a team that shares the same level of enthusiasm and compassionate care? We believe each staff member plays an integral role in meeting our mission to provide the highest quality of care possible. As our newest Mental Health Worker, you will provide paraprofessional support work involving the direct care, and rehabilitation of patients.
include: implementing programs, treatment and education of those with severe and persistent mental illness and providing their direct patient care. We know our employees are the key to our success. We currently have job opportunities available, so you too can become part of our organization.
High School diploma or equivalent. Preference will be given to those candidates with experience in mental health and who are registered on the State of Maine’s CNA register.
Riverview Psychiatric Center [https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/riverview], in collaboration with the community, is a center for best practice, treatment, education and research, for individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, and co-occurring substance use disorders. To continue our goal of becoming a leader within the Behavioral Health field, we are looking for candidates who work well in a team and are enthusiastic and dedicated to providing compassionate care. We hold accreditations by CMS and the Joint Commission.
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.
For additional information about this position or to request a paper application, please contact Tiffany Smith at 207-624-4672 or via email at tiffany.smith@maine.gov [https://mainebhr.hire.trakstar.com/app/angela.thorpe@maine.gov].
Why join our team?
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 Balance– 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 the chart found on the Health Premium Credit | Office of Employee Health [https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/health-premium-credit] site to determine rates 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 ($395.72 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State contributes 18.91% of pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents 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 [https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-employees/rules-policies/policy-practices-manual/Employee-Rights-and-Responsibilities-Federal].
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package [https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits], covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness [https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/].
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.
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.
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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.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Preference is given to candidates with mental health experience and those registered as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Maine.
Market context
In Maine, Mental Health Worker I roles are often tied to ongoing behavioral health and inpatient care needs, so employers look for candidates who can support patients safely and consistently. This role is competitive because it requires a high school diploma or equivalent, valid CNA certification or approved training, and familiarity with psychiatric terminology alongside strong response skills for physical and emotional needs. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then tailor your application to show patient-care experience and readiness for structured clinical settings.
