Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Behavioral Health Program Coordinator

Opening Date: April 18, 2024

Closing Date: May 1, 2024      

Job Class Code: 4002
Grade:  23 (Prof & Tech Svcs)
Salary: $47,840 - $64,542.40/yr. 

Position Number: 03000-4678 & 03030-0004

Location: Portland or Biddeford

Behavioral Health Program Coordinators (BHPCs) are an integral support system within CBHS for children and families experiencing challenges stemming from complex behavioral health concerns or multi-system involvement. BHPCs provide support, coordination, and advocacy services to families in difficult situations from a problem-solving perspective. They often share information to parties concerning treatment options and service access for children, attempting to break down barriers in the delivery system, aimed at stronger coordination and case planning amongst the child’s family and their treatment team. Consultation typically occurs with a child’s family members and their natural or professional support systems including: schools, advocates, Guardian ad Litem’s, case managers, clinicians (outpatient, home based, and residential), evaluators, hospital staff (physicians, social workers, discharge planners), primary care physicians, service providers, attorneys, Juvenile Community Corrections Officers, and child welfare staff. BHPC consultation can be focused on identifying resources, understanding the youth’s clinical level of care and available service options.

Core Responsibilities:

As a Behavioral Health Program Coordinator, you will be responsible for:
•    Ensuring that children with behavioral health needs have access to the most effective services in the least restrictive environment. 
•    Supporting parents, caregivers, and other professional colleagues to access and navigate the child behavioral health system of care in Maine. 
•    Working collaboratively other state agencies.  
•    Participating in community-based collaborative meetings and forums specific to Cumberland County 
•    Providing on-call coverage on a rotation schedule for out-of-state hospitalization. 
•    Serving as part of a statewide team of professionals keeping abreast of promising and evidenced-based practice models, informing policy and practice, and maintaining consistency across districts. 
•    This position may have additional duties assigned related to improving the CBHS System of Care. 

Minimum Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the Social Sciences and four (4) years experience in professional community mental health work. A Master’s Degree in Social Work may be substituted for two (2) years experience.   The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

1.    A knowledge of and/or work experience with children’s behavioral health programs.
2.    Experience coordinating services for children with serious emotional disturbances and developmental disabilities.
3.    Experience collaborating with both private and state child serving agencies.
4.    Prior experience working with clients with complex and challenging social services needs towards a successful resolution. 

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.

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 Office of Child & Family Services (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.  This position will be based in our Portland or Biddeford office and requires regular travel.  
   

Application Information:

 Please submit all documents or files in  PDF format.

For additional information about this position please contact Cassie Antonelli, Children’s Behavioral Health Director, at 207-557-1753 or by email at Cassie.Antonelli@maine.gov. To apply, please upload a recent resume and cover letter addressing each of the four preferred skills/experience areas above. To request a paper application, please contact Ashley.Smith@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, 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 ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 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. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

• 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 six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

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.