Planning & Research Associate II - Augusta - 0615

MaineGuide; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-Life Balance

Health Insurance Coverage

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Student Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry is seeking a Planning & Research Associate II to support administration of a USDA grant program and develop policies for Maine's food system. The role emphasizes data collection, analysis, and program coordination with subrecipients and stakeholders.

You will manage budgets, track performance, and ensure compliance while engaging with agencies to optimize resource use and outcomes for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

Qualifications

• Eight-year combination of education, training, and/or experience providing knowledge of planning and research principles, practices, and techniques.
• Experience with food-supply-chain systems and federal grant administration.
• Ability to interpret and administer program requirements and prepare project and financial reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduce complex and technical planning and research.
• Assist in administration and deployment of a federal grant program.
• Collect, analyze, and present data to develop policies and procedures for USDA funds.
• Coordinate program planning, development, reporting, compliance, and federal coordination.
• Support outreach, data entry, invoicing, budget tracking, and subrecipient coordination.
• Ensure accounts comply with state and federal requirements and monitor grant outcomes.

Skills

Experience in food-supply-chain

Technical stakeholder support

Budgeting & contracts

Federal grant programs knowledge

Grant performance monitoring

Budget adherence & operations

Data analysis & reporting

Stakeholder coordination

Site visits & due diligence

Testimony & regulatory briefing

Education

Eight-year combination of education, training, and/or experience in planning and research

Job description

Do you want to make a difference in Maine’s food systems? Do you enjoy providing service and support to Maine’s food producers and connecting consumers to Maine farms and food producers?

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is looking for a highly organized individual who can support the administration, planning, research, and development of the Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFSP).

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & FORESTRY

PLANNING & RESEARCH ASSOCIATE II

Opening Date: August 27, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day September 11, 2026

Location: Augusta*

Position Number: 00500-0615

Position Type: Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 0040

Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $49,275.20 - $69,139.20 Per Year

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This position is responsible for conducting complex and technical planning and research. Responsibilities will include assisting in the administration and deployment of a federal grant program. The person in this position will collect, analyze, and present data relevant to developing policies and procedures to ensure effective resource utilization of USDA funds.

This is a professional services position of a planning and research nature in coordinating the activities for grant/program planning, development, reporting, compliance, and stakeholder and federal coordination. Work includes program outreach and promotion; data entry; processing invoices and performance reports; developing and tracking program budgets; assisting subrecipients with project management, reporting, and compliance activities; consulting with subrecipients and agencies to ensure that all accounts are in compliance with state and federal requirements; researching grant outcomes to identify challenges and opportunities in Maine’s food system; coordinating participant recruitment and customer service; and developing and implementing division policies, procedures and State Plans.

The MSFSP position will support the administration of the USDA FNS Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program including an annual ~$700,000 allocation to the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. The purpose of MSFSP is to provide low-income older adults with access to locally grown produce; increase local food consumption; and support the development of new food supply chain coordination.

*The position is in Augusta and may work according to DACF’s Telework Policy with the approval of management.

For questions specific to the position please contact Michelle Webb at: [e-mail]

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An eight (8) year combination of education, training, and/or experience providing a knowledge of planning and research principles, practices, and techniques.

• Experience in food-supply-chain systems
• Prior experience in delivering business technical support to stakeholders; and working with software programs
• Experience developing budgets, work programs, contracts, and cost analyses
• Knowledge of federal grant programs with the ability to interpret and administer program requirements and prepare project and financial reports; and write comprehensive reports that document findings, conclusions, and recommendations
• Experience monitoring and auditing grant projects and/or subaward contracts to ensure that federal awards are used appropriately, performance goals are achieved, and to ensure compliance
• Ability to complete tasks within budget and within a specified order of operations
• Ability to conduct special studies, collect and analyze issues, and report program outcome data, including investment impact
• Experience acting as a key point of contact for coordination of activities involving stakeholders and partner organizations
• Ability to conduct site visits as part of monitoring and due diligence efforts
• Ability to draft and present testimony before regulatory fact-finding committees and other groups

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, and3+ weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays85%-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 contributes14.06%of payto 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—receiveforty-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 aboutadditional wellness benefitsfor 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.

We kindly note that reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.