Program Manager – Nutrition Initiatives

MaineGuide; Portland, Northern (ME, KY); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework after training

Public sector benefits

Parental leave

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Maine is hiring a Public Service Manager I to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related food security efforts. You will supervise SNAP positions, develop operation plans, and coordinate with internal and external partners to ensure efficient program delivery.

The role requires strong leadership, policy knowledge, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and a team-oriented mindset.
• Familiarity with SNAP, Summer EBT, and Child Nutrition policies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SNAP program administration and ensure efficient operations.
• Lead implementation and evaluation of Summer EBT and Nourish ME initiatives.
• Coordinate with internal/external partners and supervise staff to meet measures of success.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Policy analysis

Communication

Education

Eight-year combination of education/training/experience

Tools

ACES

NPEARS

CADB

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Service Manager I

Opening Date:September 9, 2026

Closing Date: September 22, 2026

Job Class Code:MA28

Grade:28 (Confidential)

Salary: $69,180.80 - $98,280.00 per year

Position Number: 02031-2415

Location: Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias or Portland

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.

Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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 will be given to those with the following:

• 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; and
• 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.

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following 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.
• riven approach to delivering clear, measurable outcomes aligned with program and agency goals

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.

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office for Family Independence (OFI) is responsible for administration of a number of programs and services, including MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support, and Disability Determinations.

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:

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 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.

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.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.