Drinking Water Rules Administrator

maine; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Augusta is seeking a Drinking Water Rules Administrator to oversee the DWP Rules Unit. The role supervises eight Rule Specialists and ensures accurate interpretation of drinking water regulations to protect public health.

You will lead policy development, training, and coordination with EPA and state agencies, while managing compliance determinations and performance standards.

Qualifications

• Eight year combination of education and/or experience in environmental science or related area.
• At least two years of supervisory or program management/administration experience.
• Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance determinations by the Rule Specialists with drinking water regulations.
• Provide training and quality control to ensure consistent rule interpretation.
• Coordinate with EPA and other DWP staff on health-based violations and reviews.
• Develop and revise policies and standard operating procedures.
• Lead weekly management meetings and report to the Section Manager.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Program management

Policy interpretation

Education

Science coursework 15 credits

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: September 25, 2026

Closing Date: October 8, 2026

Job Class Code: 9254

Grade: 26 (09)

Salary: $63,960.00 - $90,480.00*
*This is inclusive of a 2.50% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02000-2360

Location: Augusta

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

This position allows for partial telework with management approval.

The Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP) is seeking a Drinking Water Rules Administrator to oversee the Rules Unit. This position supervises eight Rule Specialists in the DWP's Rule Unit. The Unit is responsible for reading, understanding and interpreting all rules and regulations related to drinking water to assure the safety and reliability of public drinking water, prevent waterborne illnesses, and avoid water supply disruptions.

The DWP administers federal and State statutes and rules related to drinking water to ensure the safety of Maine's public drinking water. The DWP regulates over 1,900 public water systems, ranging from the largest municipal systems with complex water quality treatment to very small untreated water systems. The DWP's mission is to protect public health by ensuring that Maine citizens have access to clean, abundant drinking water.

Core Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for ensuring accurate, consistent and timely oversight of compliance determinations by the Rule Specialists, pursuant to drinking water regulations. Consistency and accuracy are assured by establishing specific performance criteria, providing intensive training, and performing quality control to ensure all Rule Specialists understand the requirements and are held accountable for implementing those standards. This position must know/understand all the rules to be able to provide guidance when there are differing interpretations.

Job Responsibilities include:

• Knowledge and interpretation of drinking water regulations, including the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Maine's Drinking Water Statute and Rules.
• Supervision of a team of technical staff, including assigning and coordinating tasks, monitoring progress toward goals, and reallocating work as needed. Determining how staff resources will be used to complete required tasks in an efficient and consistent manner.
• Oversight of compliance determinations, including violation determinations, sample schedule creation/changes, actions related to elevated sample results, review of training modules developed by staff, new well approval work, sanitary survey review, etc.
• Oversight of quarterly update submittals to EPA on health-based violations and lead contact for Rules-related questions during EPA annual reviews and data audits.
• Consultation and coordination with other DWP staff to provide information and technical assistance.
• Development and revision of policies and standard operating procedures.
• Development and delivery of appropriate training and skills building for staff to ensure consistency and competency.
• Participation in weekly management team meetings and reporting to the Data Management and Program Support Section Manager.
• Implementation, administration, and compliance with human resource laws, policies, procedures, and practices including AA/EEO, recruitment, employment, position classification, performance appraisals, training, discipline, contract administration, communication systems, and employee safety to comply with resource mandates and laws and ensure fair treatment of subordinate employees.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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 federal and State laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to the safe and reliable provision of public drinking water.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and explain laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles of public health related to safe drinking water, including drinking water treatment and conveyance.
• Ability to supervise subordinate personnel, including ability to plan, organize, and delegate work and direct and evaluate personnel and activities.