Drinking Water Rules Administrator

State of Maine; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Gym Membership Reimbursement

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Drinking Water Rules Administrator to oversee the Rules Unit and supervise eight Rule Specialists. This role ensures accurate, timely oversight of all compliance determinations under drinking water regulations, guiding staff through interpretation and policy updates.

Responsibilities include staff supervision, training development, coordination with EPA reviews, and ensuring consistent application of rules to protect public health

Qualifications

• Eight-year combination of education/experience in environmental science or related field, including 2+ years of supervisory or program management experience.
• Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework.
• Knowledge of federal/state drinking water laws and policies is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and supervise eight Rule Specialists ensuring consistent, accurate compliance determinations.
• Interpret and apply drinking water regulations, including the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• Coordinate resources, train staff, and manage performance to meet standards.
• Engage with EPA reviews and lead communication during data audits.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Regulatory interpretation

Environmental science

Public health knowledge

Education

8+ years environmental science experience

Job description

Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Environmental Specialist IV

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.

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.

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 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 foranything 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 respec 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.

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