Planning & Research Associate II - Augusta - 0615

Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; 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

Maine State Government seeks a Grants Program Analyst in Augusta to assist in administering and deploying a federal grant program, collect and analyze data, and coordinate outreach and promotion to support effective resource use.

The role entails budget development, reporting, and compliance tasks, with a salary range of $49,275 to $69,139 per year and a full-time year-round schedule. This position offers a strong benefits package and meaningful opportunities to improve Maine’s food systems.

Qualifications

• Eight-year combination of education, training, and/or experience in planning and research principles, practices, and techniques.
• Experience in food-supply-chain systems.
• Experience 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 vis sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the administration and deployment of a federal grant program.
• Collect, analyze, and present data relevant to developing policies and procedures to ensure effective resource utilization of USDA funds.
• Coordinate 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.
• Developing and implementing division policies, procedures and State Plans.
• Support the administration of the USDA FNS Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program including an annual ~$700,000 allocation to the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

Skills

Grant management

Data analysis

Budget development

Stakeholder coordination

Reporting

Compliance monitoring

Site visits

Testimony preparation

Job description

Position Details

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

Responsibilities

• Assist in the administration and deployment of a federal grant program.
• Collect, analyze, and present data relevant to developing policies and procedures to ensure effective resource utilization of USDA funds.
• Coordinate 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.
• Developing and implementing division policies, procedures and State Plans.
• Support the administration of the USDA FNS Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program including an annual ~$700,000 allocation to the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

Required 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 vis sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Benefits and Compensation

• 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.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• 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.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

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.

Company Culture

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.

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.

Join Maine State Government and Make a Difference in Your Community. If you're looking for a fulfilling career that allows you to serve the public and make a difference, consider working with Maine State Government! Our departments boast an array of professions, including attorneys, biologists, correctional officers, equipment operators, engineers, human resources professionals, information technology experts, law enforcement officers, nurses, park rangers, social workers, and transportation workers. With more than 100 agencies, boards, and offices, Maine State Government is the perfect place to explore various industries and interests. Whether you're interested in finance or forestry, there's an opportunity for you to help make Maine an even better place to live.