Director of Workforce Development/HR Liaison - DHHS

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 81,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Coverage

Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Gym/Wellness Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The State of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks a Director of Workforce Development/HR Liaison in Augusta. The role operates with significant autonomy, guiding daily decisions in workforce development and partnering with DHHS leadership to shape policies on recruitment, onboarding and development.

You will lead education and training, evaluate workforce trends, and collaborate with other state agencies to implement best practices in recruitment and retention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and six years’ experience in workforce development or HR administration/operations management.
• Experience in recruitment and retention within a civil service system.
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements preferred.
• Years of experience may substitute education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the DHHS Commissioner’s Office and assist senior leadership in recruitment initiatives for key positions.
• Oversee Staff Education and Training Unit and training programs aligned with department strategies.
• Develop data gathering processes to measure recruitment and retention trends.
• Collaborate with other State agencies to advise on workforce development best practices.
• Lead and coordinate work groups and projects as delegated by the Commissioner/Deputy Commissioners.
• Collaborate with DHHS offices on recruitment and retention issues.
• Coordinate with Office managers and HR Service Center to streamline processes.

Skills

Leadership

Recruitment

Workforce Development

Strategic Planning

Policy Development

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Service Manager II

Opening Date:October 19, 2026

Closing Date:October 30, 2026

Job Class Code:MA32

Grade:32 (Confidential)

Salary:$81,411.20 - $115,024.00 per year

Position Number: 02031-2381

Location:Augusta

Core Responsibilities:

As the Director of Workforce Development/HR Liaison you will act with considerable autonomy on behalf of the Commissioner/ Deputy Commissioner of DHHS in making daily operating decisions related to workforce development activities and practices. You will work collaboratively with DHHS executive managers and the Director of the DHHS Human Resources Service Center/Service Center staff in developing, implementing, evaluating and administering relevant policies and procedures; and research and make recommendations on a broad range of workforce development matters. You will work closely with ELT members in formulating strategic plans and policies that impact the organization as relates to the recruitment, retention and development of its workforce.

Your typical duties will include:

• Serving as a member of the DHHS Commissioner’s Office; Assisting senior leadership in formulating strategic initiatives relating to the recruitment of key positions and developing retention initiatives within the department;
• Overseeing the Staff Education and Training Unit and training programs that respond to the strategic directions of the department;
• Developing data gathering processes which measure and identify trends in employee recruitment and retention;
• Working collaboratively with other State agencies to develop and advise the Commissioner’s Office of best practices in the areas of workforce development;
• Leading and coordinating work groups with assigned tasks and special projects as delegated by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners;
• Working collaboratively with management representatives from DHHS Offices on areas such as recruitment and retention;
• Working collaboratively with Office managers and HR Service Center to resolve issues and streamline/simplify processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, you must have a ten-year combination of education and experience comprised of a Bachelor’s Degree and six (6) years of experience in the areas of workforce development/human resources administration and/or programs/operations management. You must have significant experience in recruitment and retention activities within a civil service system. Prior experience working with collective bargaining agreements is preferred. Additional years of experience may be substituted for education on a year-for -year basis.

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:

1. A proven ability to be an effective, director-level “operations strategist” demonstrated by experience leading project teams in developing, implementing and evaluating project plans that meet agency needs.

2. Well-developed leadership skills in the areas of staff development, staff retention and staff recruitment, preferably within a civil service system.

Agency information:

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides supportive, preventive, protective, public health and intervention services that protect the public health and assist our customers in meeting their needs. The Department strives to provide these programs and services while respecting the rights and preferences of individuals and families. DHHS is the largest agency in the Executive Branch of Maine State Government with over 2500 employees.

As the Director of Workforce Development/HR Liaison you will work collaboratively with the Commissioner of DHHS, members of the DHHS Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and the Director of the DHHS Human Resources Service Center on matters affecting the recruitment, onboarding and development of DHHS employees; and various special projects as assigned. This position is located in Augusta and reports to a Deputy Commissioner of DHHS.

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 and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 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 ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.86% of the employee’s pay towards 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 non-birthing 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.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

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.