Planner II

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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Office of Affordable Health Care

Opening Date: November 09, 2026

Closing Date: November 24, 2026

Grade / Admin Unit: 22 / Professional/Technical

Job Class Code: 0653
Salary: $49,296.00 - $68,785.60/Annually 
Position Number: 149000003

Location: Augusta

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

ABOUT THE OFFICE:

The Office of Affordable Health Care (OAHC) is an independent state agency responsible for monitoring and analyzing health care spending in Maine and advancing policy solutions aimed at reducing costs for consumers while improving their experience within the health care system. Established in 2023, the Office operates under the general policy direction of an Advisory Council and the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services. Since its creation, OAHC has led and supported major legislative initiatives focused on commercial health care pricing and the development of a health care provider market oversight program in Maine. The Office is also a partner in implementing Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a major initiative focused on strengthening rural health care across the state.

Additional information about the Office and its initiatives, including recent publications and meeting records, are available on the OAHC website: https://www.maine.gov/oahc/

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Policy Analyst will support research and analysis across a wide range of policy topics including health insurance coverage and costs, health care spending, provider and prescription drug access and prices, and delivery system reform. They will have the opportunity to contribute to the office’s legislative agenda, engage with interested parties including legislators, and gain hands on experience with the policymaking process. The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. health care system; prior experience developing, analyzing, and/or advancing legislation; and a drive to make health care more affordable and accessible for Maine people.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research a wide range of health policy topics, providing summaries and recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Author and contribute to reports, blog posts, stakeholder presentations and other public-facing work products.
• Monitor and report back on relevant legislation, including attending work sessions and public hearings, tracking amendments and bill status, and following floor debate.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to solicit feedback on policy proposals and to advance the office’s agenda.
• Under the direction of the Senior Analyst, assist with data analysis and data visualization projects.
• Contribute to the development of communication materials for legislative campaigns and other activities related to the office’s agenda.
• Perform some limited administrative tasks including taking minutes during Board and Advisory Council meetings, assisting with the planning and execution of special events, and making website updates.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Foundational understanding of the United States health care system, including detailed knowledge of public and private insurance programs and reimbursement models.
• Ability to absorb and synthesize information quickly and accurately.
• Familiarity with legislative processes; prior experience working with the Maine legislature preferred.
• Excellent writing skills, including experience summarizing laws, policies, or other complex subject matter.
• Demonstrated effective communicator.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and in team settings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelors Degree in Business or Public Administration, Planning, Economics, or related area and three (3) years of related work experience. Equivalent related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERENCES:

Preferred candidates will also have a demonstrated commitment to improving the affordability and/or accessibility of health care.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references.

In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact recruiting.ggsc@maine.gov

The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment. 

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 non-birthing parents 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. 

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.