Program Manager – Nutrition Initiatives

Department of Health and Human Services; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Coverage

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Parental leave

Retirement plan options

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services in Maine seeks a Public Service Manager I to oversee SNAP and related nutrition programs across Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, and Portland. You will supervise SNAP staff, develop state operation plans, and coordinate with internal and external partners to advance program goals.

This role requires strong leadership, policy insight, and the ability to manage multiple initiatives like Summer EBT and Nourish ME while ensuring compliance with HR and

Qualifications

• An eight year combination of education, training, and/or experience with four years in supervisory or program management.
• Excellent oral and written communication, positive attitude, teamwork orientation.

Responsibilities

• Administer SNAP and related food security efforts; supervise SNAP positions as needed.
• Develop state operation plans and coordinate with partners; hire and train staff.
• Monitor measures of success and conduct administrative duties for state employees.
• Coordinate with state and federal officials and community resources.
• Lead the Summer-EBT program implementation and evaluation.
• Lead Nourish ME contracts and Rural Health Transformation program objectives.
• Develop eligibility rules for Summer EBT and coordinate with technology teams.
• Ensure compliance with HR laws, recruitment, performance appraisals, and security policies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Change management

Independent work

Tools

ACES

NPEARS

CADB

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Service Manager I Opening Date: September9,2026 Closing Date: September22,2026 Job Class Code: MA28 Grade: 28(Confidential) Salary:$69,180.80-$98,280.00peryear Position Number:02031-2415 Location: Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias orPortland Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions. This is a full-time position available at the Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, or Portland DHHS offices. This position allows for partial telework after initial training with management approval.

Core Responsibilities

DHHS' Office for Family Independence is looking for a Program Manager to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related food security efforts. This position will supervise other internal SNAP positions as needed. This position will be responsible for ensuring that the program is operated in an efficient and effective manner. This includes, but is not limited to, developing state plans of operation, coordinating with internal and external partners, hiring, meeting staff training requirements, developing and implementing and monitoring measures of success, conducting administrative duties related to supervising State employees, and integration with SNAP goals.

• Reviewing and analyzing federal and state programs and related laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines; identifying and assessing the impact of revisions to current policies and procedures; and formulating and proposing new or revised policies, legislation, and procedures in order to ensure consistent and effective program administration.
• Leading the implementation, and evaluation of the Summer-EBT program.
• Leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nourish ME contracts, and objectives within the Rural Health Transformation Program.
• Leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of other nutrition initiatives that may arise or become available in coming years.
• Facilitate the smooth transition of the above tasks' efforts to other program managers as the programs mature and new initiatives take priority.
• Representing the Office for Family Independence at various committees and meetings and discussing and explaining family independence programs and services in order to provide Department position and to exchange information.
• Conferring and coordinating with other state and federal officials, community resources, and the public in order to develop and foster working relations that aid in the successful management of SNAP, Summer EBT, Nourish ME, and other nutrition programs and initiatives in Maine.
• Developing Summer EBT eligibility rules and procedures and coordinating with OFI’s technology resources and training team to make recommendations as a Summer EBT subject matter expert.
• Implementing and complying with human resource laws, policies, procedures, and practices such as: AA/EEO, recruitment, employment, position classification, performance appraisals, training, discipline, contract administration, human resource components of security protocols of agency information security and confidentiality policies, and employee safety.

Minimum Qualifications

• An eight (8) year combination of progressively responsible education, training, and/or experience which involves at least four (4) years of supervisory, and/or project or organizational management in law, business, non-profit, or the public sector.
• The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive attitude, a desire to help people, and a desire to work in a team atmosphere.

Preference

• Applicable federal, State of Maine, and Departmental program, policies, procedures, and operations; related to SNAP, Child Nutrition Programs, and/or dietary best practices.
• Office for Family Independence policies and procedures.
• Community resources.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Summer EBT, and Child Nutrition.
• Principles and techniques of administrative and staff management, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures, and the ability to apply such in organizational planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Familiarity with or an interest and capacity to learn key systems used in the position including ACES, NPEARS, and CADB.

Competencies

• Leadership and the ability to manage employees to work in an efficient and effective manner, producing results.
• Exceptional communication skills including the ability to work with various segments of the population and team members with various attributes.
• The ability and experience to thrive in an organization going through significant change and constant evolution.
• The ability to work independently and accomplish goals.

Application Information

For additional information about this position please contact Marcus Hatch by email at [e-mail]

Benefits of working for the State of Maine

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 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 contributes the equivalent of 18.86% of the employee's pay towards 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 non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks 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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.