Child Protective Services Caseworker

Child Protective Services Caseworker – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), DHHS Location: Caribou, Maine. Salary: $32.35 – $42.34 per hour (includes a $7.50 hourly stipend). Grade: 24. Open continuously – position posted March 4, 2026. Responsibilities Perform professional social work in child protection, children’ services, and adoption. Engage families, assess child safety, and develop plans that meet safety, well‑being, and permanency needs. Create a multidisciplinary team for each family that includes family, staff, and community resources to support safe solutions. Reach factually supported safety decisions in a timely and thorough manner, with input from parents, children, extended family, and community stakeholders. Assess child safety, abuse and neglect, signs of danger, family strengths and capabilities, and family functioning. Separate unsafe caregivers from children in need of protection when court action is required. Make appropriate plans for children focusing on safety needs, preservation of family relationships, reunification where appropriate, or 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. Work requires frequent overtime, emergency standby coverage, and regular travel within the geographic area served by a District Office. Qualifications Detail oriented. Able to effectively manage and meet deadlines. Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Social Welfare or a related field with at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work. Must 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 issued by the Maine State Board of Social Work Licensure. Benefits of Working for the State of Maine Paid time off: 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Overtime‑exempt employees receive personal leave. Health insurance coverage: 85%–100% of employee‑only premiums, depending on salary. Dental insurance: 100% coverage of employee‑only dental premiums. Retirement plan: State contribution equivalent to 14.11% of the employee’s pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). Parental leave: Six weeks of fully paid leave for all employees who are welcoming a child, including non‑birthing and adoptive parents. Additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The Maine State Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace a culture of respect and inclusion, committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status, or genetics. Reasonable Accommodations Reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. #J-18808-Ljbffr Dormont Manufacturing Co