Director Maine State Approving Agency - Public Service Coordinator

Department of Defense, Veterans' and Emergency Management Job Class Code: 0831 Grade: 27 Confidential Salary: $67,267.20 - $95,097.60/Annually

Location:

Augusta, ME Opening Date:
August 27, 2026 Closing Date:
September 11, 2026 Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is seeking a Director for the Maine State Approving Agency (Public Service Coordinator I – CA27) to join our Central Office at Camp Keyes in Augusta.

• Lead the MESAA and serve as its principal liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Association of State Approving Agencies, educational institutions, training providers, and other state and federal partners.
• Direct the approval of education and training programs eligible for GI Bill® benefits, exercising final approval authority and ensuring programs meet applicable federal and state requirements and established processing timelines.
• Lead statewide compliance and oversight activities for approved education and training institutions, including monitoring, inspections, investigations, corrective actions, and enforcement when programs fail to meet applicable requirements.
• Provide leadership, technical assistance, and guidance to educational institutions, training providers, veterans, and other eligible beneficiaries regarding veterans’ education and training benefits and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Interpret and implement federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidance, and develop program policies and procedures that promote consistent, compliant, and effective statewide operations.
• Monitor program performance and manage reporting requirements, using data and program metrics to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and support continuous improvement.
• Manage MESAA’s administrative and fiscal operations, including budgeting, VA reimbursement, recordkeeping, and compliance with the VA Cooperative Agreement, while representing MBVS in a professional and veteran-centered manner.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidance governing veterans’ education and job-training benefits, with the ability to interpret and apply complex requirements.
• Knowledge of modern management, supervisory, and office management principles and practices, with the ability to independently direct program operations and exercise sound judgment and decision‑making authority.
• Knowledge of state budgeting, accounting, purchasing, contracting, and related administrative policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate education and training programs and make accurate, consistent, and defensible approval, compliance, and enforcement decisions.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities while meeting statutory, regulatory, and contractual deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex requirements clearly and establish effective working relationships with federal and state agencies, educational institutions, veterans, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard office applications, with the ability to analyze program data, prepare reports, and maintain accurate records.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, education, accounting, or a related field and five (5) years of relevant professional experience in program administration, education or training, business management, regulatory compliance, personnel management, or a related field.
• Preference will be given to those with advanced degrees in the aforementioned degree fields.
• Successful completion of required fingerprinting and a federal background check.
• Applicants must have a current REAL  a valid passport to complete the required federal background‑check process.

Frequent in‑state and occasional out‑of‑state travel are required.

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.…