Contract/Grant Specialist

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.

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Department of Defense, Veterans & Emergency Management

Job Class Code: 0340
Grade: 22/Professional & Technical
Salary: $52,253.76-$72,912.32/Annually *Includes 6% Stipend
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: October 7, 2026

Closing Date:  November 6, 2026

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

Are you seeking a position that makes a lasting impact on Maine’s communities?

The Public Assistance Program is one of the State’s largest grant initiatives, managing a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from road repairs to seawall reconstructions. If you take public service seriously and want an engaging, challenging, and rewarding career, we may have an opening for you.

As a Recovery Program Officer, you will serve as a vital advocate for communities seeking Federal Public Assistance funds following a disaster. In this critical role, you will help local communities assess damage, apply for aid, and execute recovery and mitigation efforts. Your work will span the entire grant lifecycle to ensure all projects are documented, executed, and closed out in a timely, accountable manner.

The Public Assistance Program is a primary source of Federal grant funding for the State and operates within the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). This position reports directly to the State Public Assistance Officer.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide Expert Guidance: Offer disaster recovery expertise to applicants regarding program eligibility, procurement, compliance, extensions, appeals, closeouts, and audits.
• Represent the Agency: Attend in-person and virtual meetings statewide to support applicants in public infrastructure recovery efforts.
• Monitor Compliance: Track applicant progress through the Public Assistance process to ensure adherence to State and Federal regulations.
• Maintain Program Knowledge: Monitor evolving laws, regulations, policies, and guidance tied to the Public Assistance grant program.
• Develop Resources: Create accessible reference materials and conduct training for applicants and partner agencies on disaster recovery and policy updates.
• Support Damage Assessments: Assist with planning and executing Damage Assessments to support the Federal disaster declaration process.

Required Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of Emergency Management practices, the Grants Management lifecycle, and government structures (State, Federal, and Local).
• Familiarity with budget methodologies, financial techniques, data processing, and information services.
• Ability to interpret program trends and data to formulate strategic recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to analyze complex programmatic and financial data quickly and accurately.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in contract or grant administration.
• Preferred: Demonstrated experience in grant management, procurement, financial reporting, and data analytics.

Contact Information

Questions about this position should be directed to Joe Niesen, State Public Assistance Officer, at (207) 208-9498 or Joseph.Niesen@maine.gov.

To request and/or submit a paper application please contact Stephanie Hayes via email at recruiting.sesc@maine.gov

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.

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.

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.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE

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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.