Environmental Specialist III
Opening Date: November 7, 2023
Closing Date: November 21, 2023
Job Class Code: 9254
Grade: 09-26 (Supervisory)
Salary: $54,683.20 – $74,380.80 / yr.
Position Number: 02000-4086
Limited Period Position
Position Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.
The Maine CDC, Drinking Water Program (DWP), is seeking an Environmental Specialist IV to supervise a team providing technical support and assistance in implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) rules and regulations. The Drinking Water Program is tasked with overseeing over 1900 public drinking water systems throughout Maine, administering federal and state safe drinking water regulations to ensure that water systems provide safe, secure, and reliable drinking water.
Core Responsibilities:
In this position, you will oversee a team that evaluates and prioritizes Public Water Systems (PWS’s) that are struggling to remain in compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations and provide response and assistance to these PWSs so they can return to compliance and produce safe and adequate drinking water. You will supervise an Enforcement Specialist, a Compliance Specialist, a Capacity Development Specialist, and a Technical Assistance Provider. This team is responsible for activities that take place with PWS’s after they have incurred violations, providing outreach, education, and assistance to return them to compliance and ensure that they do not violate the regulations again.
Core Responsibilities
• Determining which PWS requires capacity development, technical assistance, and other compliance tools.
• Determining appropriate actions to return a PWS to compliance.
• Developing Standard Operating Procedures and training for new unit.
• Determining which issues should be raised to the DWP Management Team to improve overall process and collaboration.
• Developing outreach and training materials to improve water system compliance.
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).
An eight (8) year combination of education and/or experience in environmental science or related area which includes at least two (2) years of supervisory or program management/administration experience. Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework.
Preferred candidates will also have:
• Knowledge of Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of issues related to water and water pollution.
• Knowledge of biological, physical, geological, engineering, ecological and/or chemical principles.
• Knowledge of standard lab procedures as well as chemicals and chemical characteristics.
• Knowledge of environmental sampling/monitoring/testing methods and practices.
• Ability to develop/implement training sessions related to drinking water.
• Ability to make recommendations related to changes in procedures, policies, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate complex regulations to staff and water systems.
• Review and proof reading of correspondence for accuracy.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations applicable to drinking water in Maine.
• Knowledge of SDWIS (State Drinking Water Information System), the Drinking Water Program’s database of record.
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.
For additional information about this position, please contact Robin Frost, Data Management and Program Support Team Manager, at (207) 287-8411.
*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 [email protected] .
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-$11,942.16 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 13.16% 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.
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.
Apply by: Nov. 21, 2023
