Human Resources Assistant

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Maine is seeking a dynamic and organized Human Resources Assistant in Augusta. You will join a 3-person Payroll Team, handling complex payroll rules, interpreting contracts, and supporting various HR functions while delivering excellent customer service.

Minimum qualifications emphasize basic HR knowledge, payroll practices, benefits procedures, and understanding collective bargaining agreements. Background checks and background screening may apply; sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic human resources administration policies, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge of payroll practices.
• Knowledge of employee benefits procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

• Work through complex payroll rules as part of the Payroll Team.
• Interpret and explain contract provisions to stakeholders.
• Perform other human resources functions as needed.
• Provide superior customer service and organizational support.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Benefits knowledge

HR policies familiarity

Job description

Department of Administrative & Financial Services General Government Service Center

Opening Date: October 08, 2026 Closing Date: October 23, 2026 Grade/Admin Unit: 17 / Confidential Job Class Code: 0458 Salary: $20.97 - $28.85/Hourly Position Number: 020101921 Position Type: Full Time Location: Augusta Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

We are seeking a dynamic and organized Human Resources Assistant to join our team! The General Government Service Center prides itself in having a positive work environment, full of motivated and enthusiastic individuals who enjoy assisting State agencies served by the General Government Service Center. This position will be a part of a 3-person Payroll Team to work through complex payroll rules, interpret and explain contract provisions, and perform other human resources functions as needed.

If you have superior customer service and organization skills, a willingness to learn, and meet the minimum requirements listed below, then we are looking for you!

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of basic human resources administration policies, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge of payroll practices.
• Knowledge of employee benefits procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education, training, and/or experience which provides a basic knowledge and understanding of human resource functions.

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.

For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact [e-mail] The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.

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 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 ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 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 18.86% 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.

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 for anything 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 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 experience and passion set you apart.