Planning & Research Associate II - Augusta

Position: Planning & Research Associate II - Augusta - 0615
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..Do you want to make a difference in Maine’s food systems?

Do you enjoy providing service and support to Maine’s food producers and connecting consumers to Maine farms and food producers?

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is looking for a highly organized individual who can support the administration, planning, research, and development of the Maine Senior Farm Share Program (MSFSP).DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & FORESTRY PLANNING & RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IIOpening Date:
August 27, 2026

Closing Date:
End of the day September 11, 2026

Location:

Augusta
* Position Number:
Position Type:
Full Time/Year-Round Class Code: 0040

Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)
Salary: $49,275.20 - $69,139.20 Per Year Interested applicants need to submit a Direct Hire Application , Cover Letter , along with a detailed Resume
**** 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.

BRIEF

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position is responsible for conducting complex and technical planning and research. Responsibilities will include assisting in the administration and deployment of a federal grant program. The person in this position will collect, analyze, and present data relevant to developing policies and procedures to ensure effective resource utilization of USDA funds.

This is a professional services position of a planning and research nature in coordinating the activities for grant/program planning, development, reporting, compliance, and stakeholder and federal coordination. Work includes program outreach and promotion; data entry; processing invoices and performance reports; developing and tracking program budgets; assisting subrecipients with project management, reporting, and compliance activities; consulting with subrecipients and agencies to ensure that all accounts are in compliance with state and federal requirements;

researching grant outcomes to identify challenges and opportunities in Maine’s food system; coordinating participant recruitment and customer service; and developing and implementing division policies, procedures and State Plans.

The MSFSP position will support the administration of the USDA FNS Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program including an annual ~$700,000 allocation to the Maine Senior Farm Share Program. The purpose of MSFSP is to provide low-income older adults with access to locally grown produce; increase local food consumption; and support the development of new food supply chain coordination.
* The position is in Augusta and may work according to DACF’s Telework Policy with the approval of management.

For questions specific to the position , please contact Michelle Webb at: michelle.t.webb

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

An eight (8) year combination of education, training, and/or experience providing a knowledge of planning and research principles, practices, and techniques.

The successful candidate will have:

Experience in food-supply-chain systems

Prior experience in delivering business technical support to stakeholders; and working with software programs

Experience developing budgets, work programs, contracts, and cost analyses

Knowledge of federal grant programs with the ability to interpret and administer program requirements and prepare project and financial reports; and write comprehensive reports that document findings, conclusions, and recommendations

Experience monitoring and auditing grant projects and/or subaward contracts to ensure that federal awards are used appropriately, performance goals are achieved, and to ensure compliance

Ability to…