Mental Health Worker 1

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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Job Description

Opening Date:  November 12, 2026

Closing Date: November 19, 2026

Job Class Code:  4015
Grade:  11
Salary:  $24.16 - $27.40/hr**

Shift: 6:45a - 7:15p & 6:45a - 3:15p

*Hourly rate is inclusive of a $1.00/hr. salary stipend and a $1.00/hr. direct care stipend.  Applicants with Certified Nursing Assistant ("CNA") certificates, and who are on the State's CNA registry, will be paid an additional $.50/hour.

Employees in this job classification begin at Step 5 of the pay scale.  Starting salary for promotional candidates will follow contractual requirements. 

• Additional shift differential .50¢/hour while working 2nd shift hours
• Additional shift differential .60¢/hour while working 3rd shift hours
• Additional weekend differential $.65/hour while working weekend hours 

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

DESCRIPTION: 

This is paraprofessional support work involving the direct care, rehabilitation, and behavior modification of patients in state institutions.  Responsibilities include implementing programs in the treatment or education of the mentally ill or developmentally disabled, providing direct patient care, and maintaining resident areas.  Employees may act as group leader or primary aide over an assigned group of patients.  Work is performed under general supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:  

(A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned).

• Observes and records patient behavior and submits observations to treatment team in order to assist in the development of individual treatment plan (ITP).
• Implements specific treatment programs of remotivation and resocialization training for patients in order to provide direct care to residents.
• Responds to and interacts with patients, intervening when necessary, in order to provide a role model of appropriate behavior.
• Talks to and contacts family or outside agencies as delegated by supervisor in order to relay information or make arrangements for aspects of patient treatment.
• Guides, trains, and motivates patients in daily living and work activities such as maintaining their own living area and personal hygiene in order to develop individual skills.
• Prepares and dispenses medication under supervision of Registered Nurse (RN) in order to ensure patients receive proper medication on time.
• Takes and records vital signs in order to document patient condition and keep accurate records.
• Administers minor first aid to patients in order to take care of emergencies.
• Changes bed linens and clothing; and sorts, counts, distributes, and collects clean and/or soiled linen and clothing in order to maintain patients living areas.
• Distributes and serves food, maintains food serving and dining areas, and picks up trays in order to ensure patients are properly fed and established cleanliness and sanitary standards are met.
• Observes habitual conduct of patients and reports to supervisor in order to advise of any change in behavior.
• Writes records and other papers in order to document patient treatment and progress.
• Cleans, dusts, mops, and vacuums activity and patient living areas in order to ensure proper standards of cleanliness.
• Washes and bathes patients in order to ensure residents are kept clean.
• Participates in in-service training programs in order to develop skills and knowledges and enhance effectiveness.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:  

(These are required to successfully perform the work assigned).

• Knowledge of basic psychiatric and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of standards of care for mentally ill or developmentally disabled patients.
• Knowledge of basic health and safety needs.
• Ability to recognize, identify, and respond to residents' physical and emotional needs.
• Ability to serve as a role model for appropriate behavior.
• Ability to maintain a rehabilitative attitude and relationship with patients.
• Ability to relate to patients and co-workers in a positive empathetic fashion.
• Ability to respond to supervision and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to perform routine manual tasks and primary patient care services.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly and accurately.
• Ability to assess and make limited judgments about patient care.
• Ability to lift patients, when required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

(Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience). High School Diploma or equivalent and completion of a Department approved training program or current valid certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant as issued by Maine Department of Education. Some positions may require possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

(These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).

Certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) as issued by the Maine Department of Education or completion of a Department approved training program.

Agency information:

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness.   As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create.

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.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

For additional information about this position please contact Jennifer Iverson at 207-561-5425 or email [email protected].

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. To request a paper application, please contact Theresa Peppard at [email protected].

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 18.09% 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 non-birthing parents 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.

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.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.