Environmental Specialist III (Environmental Assistance Representative) - 200024726

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 35,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

12 days of sick leave

3+ weeks vacation leave annually

Health insurance coverage

Job summary

The State of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection seeks an Environmental Assistance Representative for the Office of Innovation and Assistance in Augusta or Portland. This in-office role emphasizes strong communication, regulatory guidance, and customer service to help the regulated community meet environmental requirements.

Salary ranges with nine-step progression apply. Applicants must have a six-year education/experience mix in environmental, biological, physical science, or

Qualifications

• Six-year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering.
• Qualifying education includes at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework.
• Strong communication and customer service skills; ability to work independently and with a team.

Responsibilities

• Respond to on-call/general inquiries in a thorough and timely manner and track assistance via OIA's databases.
• Assist the public and regulated community in navigating the Maine Enterprise Licensing System (MELS).
• Evaluate and assist with licensing, environmental assessments, guidance documents, and grant applications.
• Contribute and provide support to OIA initiatives and Department programs.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of seasonal aides.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Time management

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Six-year education/experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering (with 15 science/engineering credits)

Tools

MELS

OIA databases

Job description

Is your passion environmental protection and helping others succeed? Do you enjoy engaging with diverse groups of professionals and communities, while making a meaningful impact across the State of Maine? If so, then we want to hear from you! The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking an Environmental Assistance Representative to join our Office of Innovation and Assistance (OIA) in Augusta or Portland.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III (ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE)

Opening Date: October 14, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day October 27, 2026

Location: Augusta or Portland

Position Number: 200024726

Position Type: Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 9253

Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $25.43 - $35.68 Per Hour

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 position provides multimedia regulatory and technical assistance, helps guide the regulated community with understanding environmental requirements, and supports other special projects that advance the Department's mission. Success in this position requires a solutions-driven mindset, strong communication and customer service skills, adaptability, effective time management, a professional and respectful demeanor, and the ability to adeptly prioritize work independently while also collaborating with a team. This position is primarily an in-office role, with days split between the Department's offices in Augusta and Portland.

• Respond to on call/general inquiries in a thorough and timely manner and track assistance via OIA's databases.
• Assist the public and regulated community in navigating the Maine Enterprise Licensing System (MELS).
• Evaluate and assist with licensing, environmental assessments, guidance documents, and grant applications.
• Contribute and provide support to OIA initiatives and Department programs.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of seasonal aides.

For more information on the specifics of the position, please contact Beth Callahan 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. 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.

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.

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 lived experience and passion set you apart.