Drinking Water Capacity Development and Operator Certification Coordinator

State-of-Maine; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Drinking Water Program, seeks an Environmental Specialist III to support the Safe Drinking Water Act rules and capacity development for public water systems in Maine. You will assist in operator certification, training course review, and enforcement action research.

Responsibilities include evaluating systems for capacity gaps, reviewing licensing processes, and representing the program on the Operator Certification Board.

Qualifications

• Six years of combined education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering.
• Includes at least two years of environmental experience.
• 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework.
• Strong written and oral communication with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Assist Compliance Assurance Unit with violation research monthly.
• Research public water systems each quarter to identify candidates for formal enforcement actions.
• Review public water system operator changes in the federal database.
• Process Level 1 and Level 2 assessments to ensure compliance with RTCR.
• Identify gaps in managerial, technical, and financial capacity for public water systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Regulatory knowledge

Research skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Science/Engineering coursework

Tools

GEC CertTracker

SDWIS

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

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 of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Environmental Specialist IIIOpening Date: August 21, 2026Closing Date: September 3, 2026Job Class Code: 9253Grade: 23 (Pro/Tech)Salary: $52,894.40 - $74,214.40**This is inclusive of a 7.33% recruitment and retention stipendPosition Number: 02000-4083Location: Augusta-Limited Period Position-Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.This position allows for partial telework with management approval.Core Responsibilities:The Maine CDC, Drinking Water Program (DWP), is seeking an Environmental Specialist III to provide technical support and assistance in implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) rules and regulations. The Drinking Water Program is tasked with overseeing over 1,900 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. Public water systems have measures of technical, financial, and managerial capacity to assure adequate and safe drinking water for consumers. The Capacity Development Coordinator uses technical assistance tools to ensure public water systems meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This is accomplished through evaluating existing water systems and assisting them with capacity building projects, pursuant to the Maine Capacity Development Plan for Public Water Systems. This position also oversees the Drinking Water Operator Certification Program by reviewing proposed training courses for continuing education credit, managing the operator application process and the licensing process, identifying opportunities to improve licensing procedures, addressing operator complaints related to exams and licensure, and serving as the DWP’s representative on the Operator Certification Board.You will also:• Assist the Compliance Assurance Unit with violation research monthly.• Assist the Compliance Assurance Unit by researching public water systems each quarter to identify candidates for formal enforcement actions.• Review public water system operator changes in the federal database.• Review reciprocity license applications for compliance with Maine drinking water rules.• Process Level 1 and Level 2 assessments of public water systems to ensure compliance with the federal Revised Total Coliform Rule.• Review and approve training courses submitted by providers for continuing education contact hours to ensure they meet operator certification requirements.• Evaluate public water systems to identify gaps in managerial, technical, and financial capacity for public water systems.• Participate in weekly Compliance Assurance Unit staff meetings.• Provide back-up support for the Compliance Assurance Unit as needed.Minimum Qualifications: A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering which includes two (2) years of environmental experience. Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework from an accredited educational institution. Preferred candidates will also have:• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with internal staff, external partners, and diverse audiences through training, presentations, and written materials focused on regulatory updates, policy and procedure improvements rule changes, and program operations.• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently, prioritize competing workloads, support program objectives, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing data for completeness and compliance.• Proficiency with a variety of software applications, including GEC CertTracker, Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat and other business applications.• Knowledge of federal and state drinking water laws, rules, regulations, and Maine Drinking Water Program requirements, including operator certification and licensing processes, industry best practices, and the principles related to drinking water quality and treatment, with regard to public health protection.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 experience and passion set you apart.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.Application Information:For questions about this position, please contact Mackenzie Bardelli at [e-mail] submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.To request a paper application, please contact [e-mail] 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 pays 85%-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 14.06% 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..If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.