Seafood Technologist - Scarborough - 2281 (Anticipated Vacancy)

Department of Marine Resources; Scarborough (ME); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Vacation leave + sick leave

Health insurance coverage

Job summary

The Department of Marine Resources in Scarborough seeks a Seafood Technologist for an anticipated vacancy. This permanent full‑time/ year‑round position provides field consulting to certified shellfish dealers and ensures compliance with seafood safety laws.

Work is performed under general supervision. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s in Food Science/ Microbiology/ Bacteriology or four years in food processing with at least two in quality control or health protection, plus USFDA Shellfish

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years’ processing experience with 2+ years in quality control/health protection.
• Knowledge of seafood processing industry; familiarity with federal and state laws and standards.
• Certification as USFDA State Shellfish Standardization Inspector required.

Responsibilities

• Provide field consulting to certified shellfish dealers.
• Advise on seafood safety and handling procedures.
• Inspect shellfish dealers per National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
• Assist in shellfish illness investigations and sample collection.
• Research processing machines and contamination sources; recommend corrective action.

Skills

Seafood safety

Public health

Quality control

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/ Microbiology/ Bacteriology/ Biology

4 years’ experience in food processing (2 in QC/health protection)

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES SEAFOOD TECHNOLOGIST -ANTICIPATED VACANCY-

Opening Date: September 14, 2026

Closing Date: End of the day October 16, 2026

Location: Scarborough

Position Number: 07200-2281

Position Type: Permanent Full Time/Year-Round

Class Code: 9358

Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)

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

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION:

This is technical services work involving the provision of field consulting services to certified shellfish dealers in the State.

Responsibilities include advising on seafood safety, public health, and seafood handling procedures and ensuring compliance with federal and state fisheries, commerce, and food laws.

• work includes inspecting certified shellfish dealers according to National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements
• assisting in shellfish illness investigations
• collecting samples for laboratory analysis
• researching new processing machines and materials
• determining point and source of product contamination, recommending corrective action, and if necessary, gaining assistance for enforcement activity

Work is performed under general supervision.

For questions specific to the position, please contact James Becker at: [e-mail]

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelors’ Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Bacteriology, or Biology or four (4) years’ experience in food processing to include at least two (2) years in quality control or health protection.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Certification as a USFDA State Shellfish Standardization Inspector.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Knowledge of the seafood processing industry including applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and standards.

Knowledge of biology, bacteriology, microbiology, marine biology, and related sciences.

Knowledge of basic statistics including sampling techniques, food technology as it applies to seafood processing plants, state and federal seafood safety and quality assurance programs.

Ability to identify and document infractions of laws, rules, and or regulations.

Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with industry members.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

• 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. 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 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.

There is 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.

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 lived experience and passion set you apart.