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28 days median time this employer’s postings stay open (last 90 days)
$19.77/hr · p10p90 · $57.50/hr
this role: $32.35/hrmedian $35.15/hr
Shaded band: the middle 50% of posted behavioral health roles in Lewiston, Maine rates. This role sits in the 42nd percentile.
About the role
Pay for this role is about 8% below the Lewiston, Maine median for behavioral health roles.
The caseworker will perform professional social work to assess child safety, abuse, and neglect while developing case plans to ensure the well-being and permanency of children. They are responsible for maintaining accurate case records and collaborating with judicial, law enforcement, and community stakeholders to support safe family environments.
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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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Child Protective Services Caseworker
Opening Date: September 1, 2026
Closing Date: Open Continuously
Job Class Code: 5077
Grade: 24
Salary
$32.35 - $42.34 per hour*
*Hourly rate includes a $7.50 per hour recruitment and retention stipend. This position is also eligible for an additional $1 per hour stipend for a qualifying master’s degree, and a shift differential of forty-five cents ($.45) per hour.
Location: Lewiston
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
Want to make a real difference in the lives of Maine children? The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) within DHHS is looking for people committed to protecting the rights and well-being of children by providing professional case management services for our clients throughout the State of Maine. As a Child Protective Services Caseworker, you will develop investigative and case management skills and build extensive contacts within the judicial, law enforcement, educational, and social services communities. If you’re in search of a career that is professionally and personally rewarding, offers exceptional training and educational opportunities, and supports children and families in Maine, this could be your next career opportunity.
As a Child Protective Services Caseworker you will
Perform professional social work in the areas of child protection, children’s services, and adoption.
Engage families to assess child safety and make plans which best meet the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of their children.
Create a team for each family consisting of family, staff, and community resources to support safe solutions for children.
Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner, with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders to assure child safety.
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Salary
$32 - $42/hr
Location
Lewiston, Maine
Posted
Sep 1, 2026
Application
Employer website
Assess:
child safety, abuse, and neglect, and signs of danger.
family strengths and capabilities.
family functioning
Separate dangerous caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required to make children safe.
Make appropriate plans for children, focusing on their safety needs, preservation of family relationships, reunifying children when appropriate, or achieving a permanent placement in another family if needed.
Maintain accurate case records of assessments, activities, and plans; summaries; reports; letters and memos.
Follow federal and state laws, mandates, policy, and timeframes to achieve child safety, well-being, and permanency. Perform case planning and when needed, petition for protective custody and placement of children
Successful candidates will be
detail oriented
able to effectively manage and meet deadlines.
Work requires frequent overtime, emergency standby coverage, and regular travel which requires a valid driver’s license. The schedule for this position is Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 2PM-10PM, with Wednesday and Thursday off.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelors 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; AND must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as determined by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
Necessary special requirement
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 Work 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.
*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 and human development, mental health and human services, psychology, 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.
Agency Information
The Department of Health and Human Services [https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/] (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 Child & Family Services [https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs] (OCFS), within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families through community networks, local resources, and life-long family connections throughout Maine.
Application Information
For additional information about this position please contact Lisa Bullard, Recruitment and Retention Specialist at (207) 561-4240 or by e-mail at Lisa.M.Bullard@Maine.gov [Lisa.M.Bullard@Maine.gov]
To apply, please upload a resume and state your degree information as identified in the
Minimum Qualifications
Section.
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 and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
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 [https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/health-premium-credit].
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
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 [https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-employees/workplace-posters].
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.
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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.
Market context
Behavioral health roles in Maine
Behavioral-health roles in Maine often reflect steady demand from community programs, outpatient providers, and recovery-focused services. These positions are competitive because employers value lived experience, reliable transportation, and readiness to complete CIPSS training; this listing’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving you research time. Before applying, confirm your driver’s license status and whether you can meet the certification timeline.
