Planning and Research Associate I

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: November 6, 2024

Closing Date: November 20, 2024

Job Class Code: 0039
Grade:  20 (Pro / Tech)
Salary: $43,014.40 - $60,070.40 per year

Position Number: 02000-2652

Location: Augusta

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

The Maine Immunization Program (MIP) strives to ensure full protection of all Maine children and adults from vaccine-preventable disease. Through cooperative partnerships with public and private health practitioners and community members, the MIP provides vaccine, comprehensive education and technical assistance, vaccine-preventable disease tracking and outbreak control, accessible population-based management tools, and compassionate support services that link individuals into comprehensive health care systems.

As the Planning and Research Associate I, you will perform duties in support of vaccine distribution and accountability through the Maine Immunization Information System, ImmPact. As a universal vaccine state, this position insures timely and accurate vaccine ordering, fulfillment, and remediation efforts.  

This position will directly support provider site compliance and auditing of user accounts. Within this position you will review providers reconciliation, cold chain and expired vaccines to ensure providers are staying in compliance with the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program requirements. This position will also annually review all user accounts to ensure users have an up-to-date user agreement for site access. This position will send out auditing emails to confirm users and terminate any accounts as needed. This position assists providers in processing user access request, mitigating inventory issues and all systematic questions involving the Maine Immunization Information System - ImmPact (IIS). This position will assist in data clean up and deduplication of records within ImmPact as needed. 

Core Responsibilities:

As a key member of the MIP team, your core responsibilities will include:
•    Supporting the Maine Immunization Programs and Immunization Information System Providers. 
•    Auditing all users to ensure they have an up-to-date user agreement on file. 
•    Reviewing compliance status for all provider sites.
•    Assisting in data clean up.
•    Receiving incoming calls to Vaccine Management and ImmPact as a front-line team member and assist users with managing vaccine inventory.
•    Reconciling McKesson shipping logs against monthly allotment. 
•    Facilitating return of non-viable vaccine between provider and McKesson.
•    Mitigating cold chain calls and error notifications. 
•    Approving Vaccine Orders from providers and utilize VTRCKS for vaccine ordering. 
•    Logging return/expired vaccines according to the guidelines established from the Centralized Distribution Guidance. 
•    Coordinating Seasonal Influenza Distribution of vaccines. 
•    Performing weekly reconciliation of vaccine orders according to projected spend plan. 

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).
A six (6) year combination of education, training, and/or experience providing knowledge of principles of research and planning. 

Preferred candidates will also have:
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Ability to work independently
•    Ability to develop project planning with clearly written expectations and timelines
•    The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners
•    Computer skills, including knowledge of SAMS/VTRCKS applications
•    Knowledge of and experience with the Maine IIS system- ImmPact

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 mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Kayla Strout, Health Program Manager, at (207) 287-3408.

*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application. 

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.L.Harman@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.

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Last updated on Nov 6, 2024