Environmental Specialist III - Augusta - 2188

Department of Environmental Protection; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 53,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Gym membership reimbursement

Parental leave

Job summary

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION in Augusta, Maine seeks a project manager to lead PFAS investigations of sludge and septage sites. The role combines administration, planning, and field work, handling investigations, data distribution and contract tracking under supervision.

The position requires a strong background in environmental science, solid communication skills, and the ability to direct project teams in a collaborative environment. Salary is competitive with yearly steps.

Qualifications

• Six-year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering including two years of environmental experience.
• Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, ability to transfer technical information to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a project manager for PFAS investigations of sludge and septage land application sites, including investigations and contracts.
• Combine administration, planning, project management, remedial activities and outreach; work both in office and in the field.

Skills

Environmental project management

Public communication

Team leadership

Data analysis

Education

Six-year combination of education/experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering including two years environmental experience

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Opening Date: September 11, 2026 Closing Date: End of the day September 24, 2026 Location: Augusta Position Number: 08300-2188 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 start at step one. Annual step increases are based on performance reviews and authorization of such increases.

*For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION

This position serves as a project manager for the Department’s ongoing PFAS investigation of sludge and septage land application sites. In this capacity, the position manages investigations, conducts research of historically licensed activities, handles public inquiries, compiles, and distributes sampling data, and develops, executes, and tracks contracts. This includes a combination of administration, planning, project management, remedial activities, and outreach assignments. This position combines office work and field activity. The position also assists with other project work as needed. Work is performed under limited supervision.

For more information on the specifics of the position, please contact Margaret Watson-Pierce at: [e-mail]

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 or experience:
• Experience in environmental assessment and remediation.
• Experience reviewing applications and data under local, state, or federal requirements.
• Experience interacting with a variety of parties, such as the general public, municipal officials, the regulated community, and special interest groups.
• Ability to direct project teams and work well within a team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in the transfer of technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems independently.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorships or STEM OPT extensions.

Benefits

• 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 a MaineSaves 457(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.

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.