Corrections–Trade Instructor : Maine State Prison- EMPLOYMENT REGISTER

State of Maine; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance coverage

Paid holidays and vacation leave

Retirement plan

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

State of Maine is seeking a Correctional Trade Instructor for Maine State Prison in Warren to oversee custody, security, discipline, treatment, rehabilitation, and training of residents in building trades, construction, and agriculture.

The role includes supervising crews, planning work, and ensuring safety and compliance with ACA policies; the position also manages garden, composting, and exterior groundwork in warmer months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Three years of education and/or experience in a skilled trade.

Responsibilities

• Observe, monitor, control and evaluate resident work activity.
• Instruct residents individually and in crews using demonstrations and performances.
• Record work activities and prepare reports of results.
• Instruct residents in collateral and trade duties and plan schedules with supervisors.
• Supervise and instruct residents in building trades, construction, and agriculture; manage garden and exterior work in warm months.
• Maintain safety and compliance with ACA and institutional policies.
• Counsel residents on personal matters and safety standards.
• Respond to emergencies and secure residents as directed.

Skills

Supervision

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

3 years in skilled trades

Job description

.
Correctional Trade Instructor - Agriculture/Building Trades – Maine State Prison, Warren.
Grade 17: $25.66 to $32.97
(rate includes $1.00 Direct Care Stipend)
Job Class Code: 5350
Open: October 6, 2026
Close: October 21, 2026
MDOC is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice‑involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training. We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players with a professional attitude and well‑developed integrity and ethics to join us in this mission.

The Bureau of Human Resources is accepting applications to establish a register to fill a vacancy located at the Maine State Prison, Warren.

JOB DESCRIPTION: As a Correctional Trade Instructor, you will be responsible for the custody, security, discipline, treatment, rehabilitation, and training of residents located in the Maine State Prison.

Responsibilities include security, discipline, treatment, rehabilitation, and training of residents. Work involves supervising and instructing residents in a specific trade, assigning jobs to a crew, determining the equipment, supplies and tools necessary for a job to be completed by crew, and maintaining the security, control and safety of that crew.

This position will be responsible for supervising and instructing residents in building trades, construction, and agriculture. During the warmer months, this includes managing the garden, composting, and exterior groundwork.

Typical Duties:

• Observes, monitors, controls, and evaluates resident work activity
• Instructs residents individually and in crews using various methods and techniques such as actual work performances, presentations and demonstrations
• Records work activities and prepare reports of results
• Instructs residents in collateral and trade duties
• Confers with superiors in order to properly plan and schedule residents work crews and ensure productive training experiences.
• Communicates behavioral observations to treatment teams and makes recommendations relative to corrective actions
• Issues and instructs residents in the use and maintenance of equipment, tools, materials, and personal protective gear
• Counsels and advises residents regarding personal matters, institutional rules and regulations, health and safety standards, and treatment strategies
• Intervenes in and controls acts of negative and aggressive behavior using physical force, restraints, chemical weapons, and other methods
• Maintains accurate and complete records in order to comply with ACA and other administrative policy.
• Identifies and recommends purchases of equipment and machinery based on testing and assessment of product performance, cost, and durability
• Serves as a fully participating, voting member of the Unit Management treatment team and is directly responsible for making decisions regarding transfers, classification status, and job assignments in order to assist in the rehabilitative process and ensure effectiveness of unit operations.
• Assigns residents to jobs based on project needs and resident's level of experience in order to complete the project and ensure residents receive adequate training.
• Assists in the implementation of special treatment programs and on-site educational programs in order to participate in resident rehabilitation and treatment for reentry to the community.
• Investigates and reports violations of institutional rules to superiors in order to provide information and ensure and maintain safety and security.
• Instructs and teaches residents trade skills and work methods in order to develop job skills and prepare residents for work outside the institution upon release.
• Responds to emergency situations internal and external to the correctional facility as directed utilizing training and intervention skills in order to secure residents and maintain order.

A full description of the job plus all of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for this work can be found on the Bureau of Human Resources website.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify, you must have graduated from high school or equivalent and (3) three years of education and/or experience in a skilled trade (e.g. carpentry, electrician, plumbing etc.).

Licensing Requirement:

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

Certification of completion of the Basic Corrections Training Course and maintenance of the certification.

Possession of a valid Maine driver's license and/or bus license. o Some positions in this classification will require a Professional Trade License for Drinking Water Operator, Wood Scaler, and Pesticide Applicator.

All licenses and necessary certifications must be maintained as required. o Attain a Class B license within 6 months.

State of Maine 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.

• 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 the personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($13,231.40-$15,566.46 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 ($395.72. annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes up to 18.86% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee. *Will vary based on job class.
• 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 welcome a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, 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.

Please note reasonable accommodation is provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.