Environmental Specialist III - 200025246 - Augusta

State of Maine; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

12 days sick leave

3+ weeks vacation leave

Health insurance coverage

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Department of Environmental Protection, Augusta, Maine, seeks an Environmental Specialist III to oversee the electronic smoking devices take-back stewardship program and support other stewardship activities within the Sustainability Unit.

Minimum qualifications include a six-year mix of education/experience in environmental or related sciences, with two years of environmental experience and at least 15 hours of science/engineering coursework. Contact Brian Beneski for more details.

Qualifications

• Six-year combination of education/experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering.
• Includes two years of environmental experience.
• Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework from an accredited educational institution.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and administers the electronic smoking devices take-back stewardship program.
• Provides technical assistance to distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and the public; coordinates with stewardship organizations.
• Reviews annual reports, assesses program performance, and conducts compliance activities as needed.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Communication

Time management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Data collection

Product stewardship

Job description

The Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, Division of Materials Management, is seeking to fill an Environmental Specialist III vacancy in Augusta.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III

Opening Date: August 26, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day on September 09, 2026

Location: Augusta

Position Number: 200025246

Position Type: Permanent Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 9253

Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $25.43 - $35.68 Per Hour*

*(This includes a 7.33% Salary Adjustment). This is earning potential over the course of nine steps; new hires generally start at step one. Annual step increases are based on performance reviews and authorization of such increases.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This is professional services work in providing consultative professional advice and guidance on activities undertaken by the Department’s Sustainability Unit. This position primarily oversees and administers the electronic smoking devices take-back stewardship program and will also provide assistance to the other stewardship programs within the Unit. Duties include providing technical assistance to electronic smoking devices and component distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and the public in order implement and manage the electronic smoking devices take-back stewardship program; coordinating activities with the responsible product stewardship organizations; reviewing annual reports; assessing program performance; and conducting compliance and enforcement activities as needed. Additional duties include activities to support the recycling and product stewardship programs within the Sustainability Unit. Work is performed under limited supervision.

The website for the Department’s product stewardship programs can be found at: https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/productstewardship/index.html

For more information on the specifics of the position, please contact Brian Beneski at: [phone].

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.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Knowledge of Maine’s waste management programs and systems.
• Knowledge of policy positions and product stewardship initiatives of the Department.
• Experience working with a variety of parties, such as the general public, municipal officials, the regulated community, and special interest groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience balancing time-sensitive tasks related to multiple projects in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to identify and analyze issues, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations/decisions.
• Knowledge of date collection systems and applications.

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

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 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 personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$14,369.04 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 of Maine contributes 14.06%of pay to 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 fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days 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 aMaineSaves457(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 accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.