Substance Use Prevention Educator

MaineGuide; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

3+ weeks vacation leave

Health insurance coverage

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Gym membership reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Public service student loan forgivable

Parental leave

Deferred compensation

Job summary

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Augusta, Maine, is seeking a Public Health Educator III to join the Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Team. The role supports Maine communities by promoting best practices, managing grants, and providing technical assistance to state and local partners.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field and two years of health education experience, with occasional in-state travel.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Health Education and two (2) years experience in community or health education program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact and substance matter expert for opioids, stimulants, and emerging substance use trends for the TSUPC program team.
• Collaborate with other offices and departments including the Office of Behavioral Health, the Department of Public Safety, and Department of Education on related projects.
• Increase collaboration and educational opportunities to improve Program efforts to address health disparities and serve priority populations.
• Support and provide technical assistance to state and community partners.
• Develop and manage the grant lifecycle, including research, proposal development, budgeting, submission, and post-award reporting.
• Lead relevant workgroups.
• Maintain an inventory of research on emerging substance use trends and other topics as assigned.
• Develop health education resources and provide education to state and community-level partners.
• Support implementation of the Substance Use Prevention Strategic Plan.
• Promote and implement best practices in substance use prevention.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health

two years experience in community or health education program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation

Job description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Health Educator III

Opening Date: September 25, 2026

Closing Date: October 8, 2026

Job Class Code:4374

Grade:23 (04)

Salary:$51,500.80 - $72,259.20 per year

Position Number:02000-4003

Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta.

-Limited Period Position-

This position allows for partial telework with management approval.

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

Job Description:

The Substance Use Prevention Educator will join the Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Team and will play a key role in supporting Maine communities in achieving health and resilience.

As part of the Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program, you will work alongside community partners, State/Department offices, and local leaders to strengthen prevention efforts that reduce substance-related health harms before they begin. This will be accomplished by assessing state and local needs; promoting best practice programs and policies; providing technical assistance; and facilitating training to statewide and community partners. As a prevention subject matter expert, you will oversee initiatives to address opioid and stimulant misuse prevention, conduct research and develop health education resources and tools addressing existing and emerging substance use trends, and represent the Substance Use Prevention Program on the Opioid Coordinating Council and other related workgroups. You will be responsible for oversight of federal grant activities as assigned, including implementation and reporting. This position is supervised by the Substance Use Prevention Program Manager.

Success in this role relies on knowledge of primary/secondary substance use prevention; public health; community and coalition management and mobilization; grant management; data-informed decision-making and evaluation. Occasional in-state travel will be required.

Core Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary contact and substance matter expert for opioids, stimulants, and emerging substance use trends for the TSUPC program team.
• Collaborate with other offices and departments including the Office of Behavioral Health, the Department of Public Safety, and Department of Education on related projects.
• Increase collaboration and educational opportunities to improve Program efforts to address health disparities and serve priority populations.
• Support and provide technical assistance to state and community partners.
• Develop and manage the grant lifecycle, including research, proposal development, budgeting, submission, and post-award reporting.
• Lead relevant workgroups.
• Maintain an inventory of research on emerging substance use trends and other topics as assigned.
• Develop health education resources and provide education to state and community-level partners.
• Support implementation of the Substance Use Prevention Strategic Plan.
• Promote and implement best practices in substance use prevention.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Health Education and two (2) years experience in community or health education program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Proficient knowledge of substance use prevention best practices and/or public health; willingness to pursue prevention certification.
• Demonstrated understanding of shared risk and protective factors for prevention and related health outcomes.
• Knowledge of/experience with coalition development or facilitation.
• Grant/project, contract, and budget management experience.

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 mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For questions about this position, please contact Alexis Perry, Substance Use Prevention Program Manager, 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 pays85%-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 14.06% 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—receivesix 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.