Public Service Coordinator I - Associate Child Advocate I

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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Office of the Child Advocate
Opening Date: October 16, 2026
Closing Date: October 21, 2026
Grade/Admin Unit: 27 / Confidential
Job Class Code: CA27
Salary: $67,267.20 - $95,097.60/Annually
Position Number: 200025307
Location: Augusta
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
DESCRIPTION:
The Associate Child Advocate I is responsible for assisting the Interim Child Advocate to establish the Office of the Child Advocate, a new agency established to provide independent oversight of state agencies and promote the best interests of children and ensure that children receive timely, safe and effective services in accordance with state and federal law. The office will begin the work of the new agency while also completing a needs assessment for the new agency. The Associate Child Advocate I will also be responsible for providing expertise for Children's Behavioral Health issues.
REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:
Assist the Interim Child Advocate (ICA) to review the complaints and determine if the office considers it necessary to investigate the actions of the state agency and make recommendations to address concerns and identify whether a complaint raises a systemic issue and make recommendations.
Assist the ICA to complete case-specific reviews on receipt of a complaint or on the office's own initiative.
Assist the ICA to complete systems-wide of periodic review of policies, programs, rules, procedures, or services offered to children and make recommendations to address systemic concerns.
Assist the ICA to regularly consult with state agencies and the advisory committee and participate in conferences, meetings, and studies aimed at improving the performance of state agencies.
Assist the ICA to provide information and referral assistance to families and the public.
Assist the ICA to perform educational outreach and advocacy initiatives as part of the mission and responsibilities of the office.
Assist the ICA to complete outreach and learning with appropriate experts, agencies, research, and participate in any necessary trainings and research to set up the office during the interim period.
Provide technical expertise for children's behavioral and mental health issues.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of child welfare law and practice
Ability to analyze and review complex situations
Strong writing and research skills
Working understanding of the child welfare database Katahdin.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A professional graduate degree in law, health care, public health, social work, or a related field.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references.
In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact recruiting.ggsc@maine.gov
The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.
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 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 ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 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 ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 18.86% 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 forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days 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.
State employees are eligible for an