State of Maine Jobs – Childhood Comprehensive Systems Project Manager

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Social Services Program Specialist II

Opening Date: October 25, 2022

Closing Date: November 7, 2022

Job Class Code: 5093
Grade: 25
Salary: $52,582.40 – $71,406.41 / yr.

Position Number: 2000-3950

Agency information:

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.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Job Description:

As the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) project manager, you will work directly with Maine Children’s Cabinet and the Maternal Child Health Program Director, who will serve as the lead for the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant, to manage the programmatic deliverables of the federal grant. The ECCS project manager will oversee daily operations associated with the ECCS grant and will coordinate closely with other positions within the Department focused on health and early learning systems. You will serve as a liaison across systems, both public and private, to facilitate improved coordination and delivery of early childhood services.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the lead program manager for Maine’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems federal grant, including oversight of all activities such as implementation, evaluation, and budget. You will be responsible for reporting to Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as well as working with HRSA staff and assigned technical assistance staff and evaluators.
• Provide outreach, expertise, and technical assistance to health care providers, early interventionists, educational institutions, non-profits, and other community agencies on topics related to Early Childhood. Topics include, but are not limited to, developmental screening, early intervention, and coordination of care.
• Research, evaluate, and communicate best practices and standards of care regarding Early Childhood and collaborates with other Department or Office staff on policy development.
• Establish strong working relationships and work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders relevant to the Early Childhood populations.
• Utilize quality improvement strategies as a part of program evaluation and improvement, particularly for the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant.
• Oversee the evaluation activities, including working with an evaluation contractor, for all aspects of the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant.
• Coordinate the multi-disciplinary advisory council for the grant, including participation on the Early Intervention Workgroup established by the Children’s Cabinet. This group works to promote positive development, improved health outcomes, and school readiness for children prenatal through age three.
• Ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive Early Childhood Strategic Plan that aligns Office and Department goals across the State.

Minimum Requirements:

An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in public health, public administration, or health program planning.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Experience working with health care providers in clinical settings and/or early childhood systems.
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to multitask, prioritize and be flexible.
• Working knowledge of the development of public health strategies for new and existing maternal and child health programs.
• Working knowledge of organization and function of Maine Department of Health and Human Services, federal and state government agencies, official health agencies, professional and other groups involved in Maternal and Child Health programs.
• Ability to communicate extremely well verbally and in writing – prepare written and oral reports and presentations that communicate necessary information to internal and external partners.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a project team.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office PowerPoint; Word; Excel or Access.

For additional information about this position please contact Stacey LaFlamme, Maternal and Child Health Program manager, [email protected] or at 207-441-5324

• To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

• In your cover letter, you must provide the following information:

1) explain what prior education and/or experience you have had doing the elements under “Job Description,” above; and

2) explain which, if any, of the attributes under “Preferred candidates will have” section, above.

Please submit all documents or files in a PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application, please contact [email protected] .

Benefits

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 ($10,150.80-$11,942.16 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• 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.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.16% of pay to 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.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• 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 fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Maine State Government is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.