AUGUSTA (AP) – The commissioner of the Maine Health and Human Services Department, John Nicholas, is stepping down, touching off a new search for a successor in one of Gov. John Baldacci’s most visible Cabinet posts.

Baldacci said a deputy commissioner, Brenda Harvey, would take over on an acting basis and that he hoped to have a nominee to put before the Legislature during the upcoming 2006 session.

Baldacci credited Nicholas with contributing to “a tremendous amount of progress (in) consolidation and reorganization” of Maine’s human services structures.

“We appreciate his service and wish him well,” Baldacci said.

In a letter to departmental staff members, Nicholas also cited accomplishments in getting a new department up and running.

“Many structural and foundational changes have occurred with the support of staff that will enable the new department to move into the future as a high performance organization in which quality is valued, best practices are used, consumers are a major focus, teamwork is part of every day operations, communications is important, creativity is encouraged and accountability for results is expected,” Nicholas wrote.

“It is time now for me to transition the new Department of Health and Human Services to the next commissioner who can use this foundational momentum to move the new department to the next level of partnership with staff. Thus, it is with equal regret and satisfaction that I have informed the governor of my plan to leave as commissioner effective January 2006.”

Nicholas served as Maine’s state budget officer from 1992 to 2002. He left state government to work as chief financial officer for Catholic Charities Maine but returned to Augusta a year later and assumed the post of deputy commissioner of finance within the Department of Human Services.

Nicholas was named acting commissioner for the department in February 2004 and subsequently became leader of the new super department that combined the state’s human services department and the state mental health department. The new Department of Health and Human Services opened officially on July 1, 2004.

The new department had 4,031 positions with a combined annual budget of $3.2 billion, officials said.

Baldacci said Nicholas’ decision to leave was not a surprise, calling it “something that he shared with me a while ago.”

For the Baldacci administration to date, with some issues predating it, the sprawling human services agency has been beset by problems ranging from accounting failures to delays in payments to service providers.

The governor, in an impromptu interview Wednesday, said the administration would “continue to restore the credibility, accountability, oversight and professionalism” of the department that serves some of the state’s neediest citizens and handles millions of dollars in aid.

From 1986 to 1989, Nicholas served as director of finance and administration for the Maine Technical College System. He first went to work for the state in 1973 as an employment counselor for the Maine personnel department.

Nicholas is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and received a masters degree in business from Thomas College, according to the administration.

“Jack joined my administration at a crucial time and his leadership was essential in making the merger of DHS/BDS a successful process,” Baldacci said in a statement as word of Nicholas’ departure circulated.

“Jack’s extraordinary career of public service, personal credibility and ability to listen built the foundation for a successful merger. During this time Jack redesigned new internal fiscal controls while promoting compassion and responsiveness at the department.”

Baldacci added: “My goal has been to create a human service system that is cost effective, high quality and responsive to the needs of consumers. While improvements have be made there is more to accomplish. Brenda Harvey will serve as the acting commissioner and the team in place will continue to build on progress. Deputy Commissioner Mike Hall will continue to focus on the all important task reforming the MaineCare payment system.”

Heading into the final year of the four-year term as chief executive he won in 2002, Baldacci has overseen a number of high-level transfers and departures.

In 2004, Baldacci successfully nominated his chief business regulator, Robert Murray, for a District Court judgeship.

Earlier this year, chief gubernatorial counsel Kurt Adams became chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Baldacci announced on Oct. 14 that Robert Spear would be stepping down as commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources.

This month, Lee Umphrey is winding up a three-year stint as spokesman and roving aide for Baldacci.