Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has the following opening for a Center Aide position in a Toddler based classroom in the Rockland, Maine:
40 hours per week; 52 weeks per year
This position assists with greeting children, getting them settled into the facility, assisting with playground supervision and activities, and other daily activities related to the operation of the classroom, including light cleaning duties. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, basic reading, writing and math skills, and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Infant/Toddler requires an infant/toddler CDA within the first year of employment. If you do not have the required qualifications, Penquis Child Development can support newly hired staff in a professional development plan to acquire the appropriate credentials. Training in childcare or social welfare and previous paid experience working with children are preferred.
The starting rate of pay for the Center Aide position is $15.25 per hour and additional compensation may be given consideration with relevant experience.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must comply with Penquis background check requirements with satisfactory results as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package and competitive wages. Apply on line at www.penquis.org or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description. Applications will be accepted until December 23, 2021.
Penquis complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning employees, including those pertaining to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. This includes rules associated with the State of Maine healthcare mandate, anticipated OSHA standards and emergency temporary standards mandating employee COVID-19 vaccination, as well as U.S. DHHS rules requiring vaccinations within our Head Start programs.
In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a tobacco and smoke-free workplace.
Infants (6 weeks to 18 months of age) Early Head Start
Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has an opening for a full-time (40 hours per week; 52 weeks per year; benefits eligible) Infant Teacher at our Eastern Maine Community College location in Bangor, Maine.
This position is responsible for infants (6 weeks to 18 months of age) in an Early Head Start setting, developing and administering developmentally appropriate activities, including individual prescriptive programs for children with special needs. Penquis Child Development provides staff with at least 40 hours/year of paid training and also provides financial support for positions which require specific education/credentials (such as ME DOE Teacher or Ed Tech Certification, Praxis exam fees, CDA application/renewal, required college coursework, etc. This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, including in coursework with a focus on infant & toddler development and appropriate practicum experience. (Appropriate practicum experience may be substituted for two years paid experience in an early education/child care setting). If you do not have the required qualifications, Penquis Child Development can support newly hired staff in a professional development plan to acquire the appropriate credentials.
The starting rate of pay for the Teacher position is $19.26 per hour and additional compensation may be given consideration with relevant experience.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must have background check results that are satisfactory to Penquis and indicate no previous or current involvement with child abuse, neglect or exploitation and no other disqualifying background checks as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. For more information or to apply on line at Penquis Employment or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description.
Please submit application materials, including relevant educational course work and transcripts.Applications will be accepted until November 19, 2021.
Penquis complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning employees, including those pertaining to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. This includes rules associated with the State of Maine healthcare mandate, anticipated OSHA standards and emergency temporary standards mandating employee COVID-19 vaccination,as well as U.S. DHHS rules requiring vaccinations within our Head Start programs.
In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a tobacco and smoke-free workplace.
Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has an opening for a full-time (40 hours per week; benefits eligible) Housing Assistant for the weatherization programs in the Housing & Energy Services Department located in our Bangor Office.
As a Housing Assistant, you provide customer service support to individuals and families by conducting interviews, gathering required documentation and determine eligibility for multiple programs. You provide administrative support for staff and programs in the Housing and Energy Services Department to include, but not limited to Heat Pump, Weatherization and the Central Heating Improvement programs. Motivation and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment is a must. Travel maybe required throughout our three-county service area.
Position requires an associate’s degree in the social service or business field with 2 years’ work experience in an office setting where client contact was a responsibility or 3 years’ work experience in lieu of education; the ability to operate office equipment; good communication skills; and computer proficiency and experience, including data entry and word processing skills. You must be able to interact with the public in a professional manner; maintain client information in complete confidence; learn and apply federal and state regulations. Must have a valid Maine Driver’s License and use of a vehicle insured to State requirements.
The starting pay for the Housing Assistant is $15.55 per hour.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must have background check results that are satisfactory to Penquis and indicate no previous or current record of involvement with child abuse, neglect or exploitation and no disqualifying criminal record or motor vehicle record as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. For more information or to apply on line at Penquis Employment or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Penquis complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning employees, including those pertaining to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. This includes rules associated with the State of Maine healthcare mandate, anticipated OSHA standards and emergency temporary standards mandating employee COVID-19 vaccination, as well as U.S. DHHS rules requiring vaccinations within our Head Start programs.
In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a tobacco and smoke-free workplace.
Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has an opening for a full-time (40 hours per week; benefits eligible) Housing Assistant for the weatherization programs in the Housing & Energy Services Department located in our Bangor Office.
As a Housing Assistant, you provide customer service support to individuals and families by conducting interviews, gathering required documentation and determine eligibility for multiple programs. You provide administrative support for staff and programs in the Housing and Energy Services Department to include, but not limited to Heat Pump, Weatherization and the Central Heating Improvement programs. Motivation and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment is a must. Travel maybe required throughout our three-county service area.
Position requires an associate’s degree in the social service or business field with 2 years’ work experience in an office setting where client contact was a responsibility or 3 years’ work experience in lieu of education; the ability to operate office equipment; good communication skills; and computer proficiency and experience, including data entry and word processing skills. You must be able to interact with the public in a professional manner; maintain client information in complete confidence; learn and apply federal and state regulations. Must have a valid Maine Driver’s License and use of a vehicle insured to State requirements.
The starting pay for the Housing Assistant is $15.55 per hour.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must have background check results that are satisfactory to Penquis and indicate no previous or current record of involvement with child abuse, neglect or exploitation and no disqualifying criminal record or motor vehicle record as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. For more information or to apply on line at Penquis Employment or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Penquis complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning employees, including those pertaining to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. This includes rules associated with the State of Maine healthcare mandate, anticipated OSHA standards and emergency temporary standards mandating employee COVID-19 vaccination, as well as U.S. DHHS rules requiring vaccinations within our Head Start programs.
In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a tobacco and smoke-free workplace.
Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has the following opening for an Assistant Teacher to workin a public school PreK/Head Start collaborative setting based in the Dexter area:
36 hours per week; 41 weeks per year (benefits eligible)
This position assists with the daily activities related to a preschool classroom including: greeting children, implementing an evidence-based preschool curriculum and administering developmentally appropriate activities, including individual prescriptive programs for children with special needs, and supervising children in the classroom and on the playground. Requires a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, a Preschool CDA (or willingness to complete a CDA within 1 year of hire), and ME DOE Ed Tech II certification. If you do not have the required qualifications, Penquis Child Development can support newly hired staff in a professional development plan to acquire the appropriate credentials. An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and paid experience working with children are preferred (practicum experience may be considered).
The starting rate of pay for the Assistant Teacher position is $16.17 per hour and additional compensation may be given consideration with relevant experience.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must have background check results that are satisfactory to Penquis and indicate no previous or current involvement with child abuse, neglect or exploitation and no other disqualifying background checks as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. For more information or to apply on line at Penquis Employment or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description.
Please submit application materials, including relevant educational course work and transcripts. Applications will be accepted until September 24, 2021.
In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a smoke-free workplace.
Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has the following Assistant Teacher in a Preschool based classroom in the Rockland area:
40 hours/week; 52 weeks/year (benefit eligible)
This position assists with the daily needs of children and the activities that provide services to children and families. This position requires a Preschool CDA or Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or completion of one of these credentials within 1 year of hire. The ideal candidate will have paid experience working with young children (practicum experience may be considered), as well as training and experience with social services outreach for families and children.
The starting rate of pay for the Assistant Teacher position is $16.17/hour and additional compensation may be given consideration with relevant experience.
If hired prior to September 1, 2021, you may be eligible for an additional $500.00 incentive.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must have background check results that are satisfactory to Penquis and indicate no previous or current record of involvement with child abuse, neglect or exploitation and no disqualifying criminal record or motor vehicle record as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. Apply on line at www.penquis.org or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description.
Please submit application materials, including relevant educational course work and transcripts.
Penquis, a social services agency serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties for over 50 years, has the following opening for an Assistant Teacher in an Early Head Start based classroom at our Davis Road site in Bangor:
36 hours/week; 52 weeks/year (benefit eligible)
This position is responsible for infants (ages 6 weeks to 3 years) in a child care setting, developing and administering developmentally appropriate activities, including individual prescriptive programs for children with special needs. This position requires an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Infant/Toddler. Preferred qualifications will be a Bachelor’s Degree and at least one year paid experience in working with infants/toddlers. (Appropriate practicum experience may be substituted for two years paid experience in an early education/child care setting).
The starting rate of pay for the Assistant Teacher position is $16.17/hour and additional compensation may be given consideration with relevant experience.
If hired prior to September 1, 2021, you may be eligible for an additional $500.00 incentive.
Upon hire and periodically thereafter, must have background check results that are satisfactory to Penquis and indicate no previous or current record of involvement with child abuse, neglect or exploitation and no disqualifying criminal record or motor vehicle record as outlined in current contract provisions.
Penquis offers an excellent benefits package, competitive wages, and opportunities for educational advancement, certification, and coursework. Apply on line at www.penquis.org or contact us at 973-3500 (TDD: 973-3520) or by email at employment@penquis.org to request an application and job description.
Please submit application materials, including relevant educational course work and transcripts. Applications will be accepted until August 27, 2021.
In accordance with federal regulations, Penquis does not discriminate. Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Penquis is a smoke-free workplace.
Two years ago I was assigned to a subcommittee tasked with raising awareness of stigma around substance use disorder in our community. I was nervous because it was outside of my field. I have a background in marketing and public relations, not in substance use. I was at the table with people who were primarily from the medical field or treatment and recovery. I didn’t feel comfortable contributing to the conversation for fear I would unintentionally say something wrong. I knew things had progressed with the science of addiction medicine, as had the terms, but I didn’t know exactly what was correct or incorrect.
Before these meetings I hadn’t taken the opportunity to examine certain language or statements, for example, “babies born addicted.” I had never really questioned
this phrase before, but given the opportunity to evaluate its meaning, I realized how inaccurate it was. Of course babies aren’t born addicted, and such terms create stigma. Babies can’t develop addiction. Addiction is a disorder characterized by pathologically pursuing reward or relief through the use of substances. The American Society of Addiction Medicine describes it as “inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response.” None of these things are possible in a baby. When people talk about babies who are “born addicted” they are actually referring to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), or the symptoms presented by infants who were exposed to drugs in the womb.
The lessons became more personal. I had received the disappointing news that a good friend of mine, who had abstained from drug and alcohol use for over 11 years, was actively using again. I came home discouraged and said to my sister, “I don’t understand, he had been ‘clean’ for 11 years.” My sister, who works in public health and has experience with substance use prevention programs, in her kind and nonjudgmental way, said, “so, he’s DIRTY now?” Well, when she put it that way, I understood what a terrible term that was and how it was loaded with stigma. The language we use really does matter.
For many of us outside the medical field or treatment and recovery world, we may not have had the opportunity to pause from our busy lives to learn destigmatizing words and phrases. We may want to join the conversation because we have loved ones, friends and neighbors we care about battling substance use disorder. We might want to be a part of the solution, but are unsure of the correct terms; even in the treatment and recovery world there are differences of opinions over the language to use.
It can be intimidating to join the conversation, but it is important that we do, and that people help us learn along the way, because stigma erodes confidence that substance abuse disorder is a valid and treatable health condition. It can lead people to avoid socializing, employing, or working with persons who have substance-related problems or histories. It can make us accept certain types of addiction more than others. It can even lead us to believe a person is sometimes beyond help. We can consciously and even subconsciously have assumptions that those struggling with substance use disorders are immoral, weak or even sinful. This is what stigma looks and sounds like.
Together, we can reduce stigma by using language that more accurately describes the chronic brain disease of addiction. Let’s stop stigma against those who are impacted by this complex condition, a brain disease, substance use disorder! To end stigma for any subject, it helps to be kind to one another, assume right intentions, and gently educate people along the way if other so know the correct language.
Here is a chart of “preferred terminology” in reducing the stigma associated with addiction that I found helpful.
Words to avoid Words to use
Addict Person with substance use disorder
Alcoholic Person with alcohol use disorder
Drug problem, drug habit Substance use disorder
Drug abuse Drug misuse, harmful use
Drug abuser Person with substance use disorder
Clean Abstinent, not actively using
Dirty Actively using
A clean drug screen Negative for substance use
A dirty drug screen Testing positive for substance use
Former/reformed addict/alcoholic Person in recovery, person in long-term recovery
I have been told that the first few years of retirement are glorious…no commitments, no schedule, no alarm clock! I have also been told that sooner or later the desire to make a difference, to be involved in your community and to be needed returns. But, you can only go out to lunch, shopping or visiting so often! This is what one retired social worker discovered. Soon the days became long and she found herself looking for meaning and purpose to her days again. That is when she learned about the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP).
