Director of Clinical Services

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Service Executive III

Opening Date: August 19, 2022

Closing Date: September 9, 2022                

Job Class Code: EA39
Grade:  39 (Confidential)                 
Salary: $98,529.60 - $134,222.40/yr.

Position Number: 03000-2304

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 OBH supports 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 prevention, to early intervention, treatment, crisis care, and 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.

This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.

Job duties:

This position develops state-wide policy and planning for Behavioral Health continuum of care, including developing innovative programs in order to reduce barriers to access to the most appropriate and least restrictive levels of care. This position will establish OBH forensic behavioral health objectives and strategies, ensure that goals, objectives and strategies are met, and allocate the resources and budgets necessary for operation of multiple programs and activities. The position is a member of OBH’s senior leadership staff.

This position exercises authority and control over the resources necessary to operate and maintain statewide behavioral health diversion programs and clinical oversight of all OBH services. Responsibilities include providing leadership and strategic planning for OBH. Work involves ensuring that goals and objectives are set and met and includes accountability for securing and allocating financial and operational resources to accomplish OBH’s mission. Responsibilities include establishing administrative priorities, evaluating the effectiveness of program administration, and setting broad policies. The position will work with representatives from other agencies, the legislature, and the Governor’s Office.

This position will have the authority to make decisions about direction and duties of the Justice and Health team/ICM Program, clinical recommendations for behavioral health services, behavioral diversion program and policy, and response to critical incidents. This position is required to manage, improve, evaluate, and develop clinically appropriate responses across behavioral health services and develop and oversee policy and program related to diverting individuals with mental health and substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and emergency departments.  He/she will also engage in decision making as to community-based treatment referrals and terminations.  This position supervises ICM and Justice and Health Managers as well as the Critical Incident Review team. 

Minimum Qualifications:

 A Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling and a minimum of 10-years’ experience at a senior leadership level in clinical services, supervision/oversight and program/policy development, and program implementation is required. Must have current LCSW or LCMHC licensure with ability to obtain a Maine LCSW or LCMHC. A doctoral degree with licensure or license eligibility is preferred.

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Extensive experience and knowledge of the Mental Health and Criminal Justice systems.
• Demonstrate expertise in strategic planning and developing state-wide policies, procedures, and programs to improve responses to mental health crises, to barriers of access to community supports, and to opportunities to divert clients from inappropriately restrictive environments.
• Experience collaborating with multiple internal and external stakeholders as well as state/departmental leadership to troubleshoot emergent clinical issues, envision and implement innovations, and advocate for policy/statutory change.
• Demonstrate competence in team leadership and supervision as well as tracking and reporting on the response efficacy.

Application Information:

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

For additional information about this position, please contact Sarah Squirrell, Director of OBH, at Sarah.Squirrell@Maine.gov. To apply, please upload a current resume and cover letter addressing the competency areas identified in the Requirements Section.  

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-$11,345.04 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 XX% 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.