Unemployment Compensation Team Leader - Multiple Vacancies

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Maine’s Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation in Augusta, ME seeks a Team Leader to supervise one of our Unemployment Benefits units. You will guide day-to-day operations, support staff development, and ensure high-quality service for claimants and employers statewide.

You will co-manage teams across the state, coordinate resources, and promote consistency in service delivery while meeting federal performance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, or related field; plus six years of management experience.
• Directly related experience may substitute for the education requirement.
• Experience supervising teams in a high-volume environment.
• Knowledge of unemployment security program laws, rules, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of professional, technical, and clerical staff, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
• Plan and prioritize unit operations, aligning resources to meet fluctuating workloads and federal timeliness and quality standards.
• Drive process improvement by analyzing workflows and recommending changes to improve service delivery and program efficiency.
• Ensure accurate and timely benefit payments by overseeing claim adjudication and benefit charge assessments.
• Monitor performance data and metrics, prepare reports that guide decisions and inform statewide operations.
• Interpret and implement policy changes and provide guidance to staff on laws, rules, and procedures related to unemployment benefits.
• Collaborate across teams and agencies to enhance service integration and streamline claims center operations.
• Represent the Bureau in formal settings including appeal hearings, court proceedings, and public outreach events.
• Foster a respectful, compliant workplace by applying HR practices in hiring, training, and staff development.

Skills

Supervising teams

Leadership

Process improvement

Communication

Public service

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, or related field

Job description

Department of Labor - Bureau of Unemployment Compensation

Job Class Code: 0751 Grade: 26 - Supervisory Salary: $62,400.00 - $88,275.20/Annually Location: Augusta, ME Opening Date: 10/28/2026 Closing Date: 11/12/2026 Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Job Summary:

Make a difference for Maine workers. Lead with purpose. The Maine Department of Labor is seeking a motivated and experienced leader to supervise one of our Unemployment Benefits units. This is your opportunity to support Maine workers while leading a high-performing team and driving improvements in how we deliver vital services. As a Team Leader, you'll guide day-to-day operations, support your team's professional development, and ensure high-quality service for claimants and employers statewide. You'll play a key role in shaping and streamlining processes to improve customer service and meet or exceed federal performance standards. You'll also co-manage teams across the state, working side by side with other team leaders to coordinate resources, share best practices, and promote consistency in service delivery.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of professional, technical, and clerical staff, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
• Plan and prioritize unit operations, aligning resources to meet fluctuating workloads and federal timeliness and quality standards.
• Drive process improvement by analyzing workflows and recommending changes to improve service delivery and program efficiency.
• Ensure accurate and timely benefit payments by overseeing claim adjudication and benefit charge assessments.
• Monitor performance data and metrics, prepare reports that guide decisions and inform statewide operations.
• Interpret and implement policy changes and provide guidance to staff on laws, rules, and procedures related to unemployment benefits.
• Collaborate across teams and agencies to enhance service integration and streamline claims center operations.
• Represent the Bureau in formal settings including appeal hearings, court proceedings, and public outreach events.
• Foster a respectful, compliant workplace by applying HR practices in hiring, training, and staff development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

We are seeking candidates with strong leadership skills and a background in workforce, unemployment, or social services programs. You should bring:

• Experience supervising or leading teams in a high-volume customer service or administrative environment.
• Strong knowledge of laws, rules, goals, and objectives of the unemployment security program.
• Knowledge of process improvement practices, and performance management tools.
• Excellent communication, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• A passion for public service and a commitment to helping Maine workers and employers succeed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelors Degree in Public or Business Administration, Economics, or related field -and- six years experience in management and/or investigation/adjudication/personnel administration.
• Directly related experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervising or managing staff in a high-volume operational environment.
• Unemployment Insurance, workforce development, or related public service programs.
• Using data and performance measures to manage workloads and improve results.
• Process improvement and operational change management.
• Interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Employee coaching, development, and performance management.
• Coordinating work across teams, programs, or agencies.
• Representing an organization in formal or public settings.

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 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 ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 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.
• Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

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.