Comprehensive Health Planner II
Opening Date: May 5, 2025
Closing Date: May 16, 2025
Job Class Code: 5050
Grade: 26 (Pro. & Tech. Svcs.)
Salary: $56,264.00 - $78,998.40 per year
Position Number: 09590-0103
Location: Augusta
This is a full-time position requiring physical reporting to Augusta, Maine and allows for partial telework up to 3 days per week with management approval.
-LIMITED-PERIOD POSITION-
Core Responsibilities:
As the Policy and Compliance Specialist, you will be responsible for legislative policy, rulemaking, compliance, and communications under limited supervision from the Policy, Communications, and Compliance Manager. This position will provide concentrated support for children’s behavioral health initiatives across the continuum of care and serve as a resource for staff, partners, providers, and the public. The person in this position will be able to successfully manage several shifting priorities simultaneously as well as multiple long- and short-term projects and have exceptional writing, proofreading, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. This role will perform legislative reporting and implementation, rulemaking, and compliance based upon and in direct alignment with the State of Maine and Department’s policy priorities and evidence-based practices.
Core responsibilities include:
• Assist with legislative implementation, including pertinent stakeholder engagement sessions and workgroups, subsequent report writing, and provision of data and responsive information to interested parties
• Monitor legislative development including, but not limited to, legislative hearings and work sessions, developing and drafting bill proposals based upon and aligned with Department and State of Maine policy priorities and evidence-based best practices, drafting testimony, letters, briefings, and other legislative materials
• Conducting rulemaking independently and/or in partnership with programs, other offices and departments including, but not limited to, rule development and drafting, rule proposal and adoption, holding public hearings, responding to public comments, and compliance with all requirements of the Maine Administrative Procedures Act
• Communicate with, and provide office responses and technical assistance to, service providers, department personnel, legislators, advocates, and others to explain and clarify department policies, positions, rules, regulations, and practices
• Assist with behavioral health compliance including, but not limited to, Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests, customer complaints or grievances, contracts, and compliance with department policy, state and federal laws and regulations
• Assist with communications initiatives including, but not limited to, the creation and dissemination of reports, presentations, and other materials
• All other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
To qualify, your background must include a Bachelor’s Degree in Public/Community Health, Health Administration, Health Sciences or Health Education; Public Administration, Government, Social Work, or a closely related field and three (3) years professional experience in the planning, development, coordination and/or evaluation of health programs, or services -OR- an equivalent seven (7) year combination of education, training, and experience. Preference will be given to candidates with professional experience researching, interpreting, and writing policy and rules.
Preference will be given to candidates with a background further demonstrating experience in the following qualifications and competencies:
1. Experience with the analysis, development, interpretation, implementation of, and reporting on, legislation.
2. Experience in compliance, legal matters, complaint investigations, Freedom of Access Act requests, and regulatory interpretation or enforcement.
3. Experience with rulemaking, including rule development, drafting, stakeholder engagement, and a comprehensive understanding of the Maine Administrative Procedures Act.
4. Demonstrated writing, editing, and proofreading skills, including the ability to simplify and summarize technical language and complex subject matter in a concise manner and in alignment with plain language principles.
5. Strong oral and written communication, analytic, and problem-solving skills.
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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 Behavioral Health (OBH) within DHHS is responsible for providing leadership and active partnership in Maine’s comprehensive system of support to communities and individuals with substance use and mental health conditions through a network of community providers.
The Office of Behavioral Health takes responsibility for a behavioral health continuum of care that serves the whole person, the whole community. We promote a population health approach that includes a full spectrum of services from early intervention, treatment, crisis care, to recovery. Our role is to ensure Mainers with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders are not just symptom free but living a life of dignity, hope, and meaning. We partner with providers, communities, and citizens to offer support, resources, education, training, technical assistance, and services.
Application Information:
For additional information about this position please contact Danielle Hess at Danielle.Hess@Maine.gov
To apply, please upload a current resume, a cover letter addressing the five (5) competency areas listed in the requirements section, a writing sample, and a copy of post-secondary transcripts.
Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.
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, 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%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 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 ($387.92 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% 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 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.