Drinking Water Capacity Development and Operator Certification Coordinator

Opening Date:
August 21, 2026 Closing Date:
September 3, 2026 Job Class Code: 9253 Grade: 23 (Pro/Tech) Salary: $52,894.40 - $74,214.40
* * This is inclusive of a 7.33% recruitment and retention stipend Position Number:

Location:

Augusta
-Limited Period Position
- Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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.

The Maine CDC, Drinking Water Program (DWP), is seeking an Environmental Specialist III to provide technical support and assistance in implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) rules and regulations. The Drinking Water Program is tasked with overseeing over 1,900 public drinking water systems throughout Maine, administering federal and state safe drinking water regulations to ensure that water systems provide safe, secure, and reliable drinking water.

Public water systems have measures of technical, financial, and managerial capacity to assure adequate and safe drinking water for consumers. The Capacity Development Coordinator uses technical assistance tools to ensure public water systems meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This is accomplished through evaluating existing water systems and assisting them with capacity building projects, pursuant to the Maine Capacity Development Plan for Public Water Systems.

This position also oversees the Drinking Water Operator Certification Program by reviewing proposed training courses for continuing education credit, managing the operator application process and the licensing process, identifying opportunities to improve licensing procedures, addressing operator complaints related to exams and licensure, and serving as the DWP’s representative on the Operator Certification Board.

• Assist the Compliance Assurance Unit with violation research monthly.
• Assist the Compliance Assurance Unit by researching public water systems each quarter to identify candidates for formal enforcement actions.
• Review public water system operator changes in the federal database.
• Review reciprocity license applications for compliance with Maine drinking water rules.
• Process Level 1 and Level 2 assessments of public water systems to ensure compliance with the federal Revised Total Coliform Rule.
• Review and approve training courses submitted by providers for continuing education contact hours to ensure they meet operator certification requirements.
• Evaluate public water systems to identify gaps in managerial, technical, and financial capacity for public water systems.
• Participate in weekly Compliance Assurance Unit staff meetings.
• Provide back-up support for the Compliance Assurance Unit as needed.

• A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering which includes two (2) years of environmental experience. Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework from an accredited educational institution.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with internal staff, external partners, and diverse audiences through training, presentations, and written materials focused on regulatory updates, policy and procedure improvements rule changes, and program operations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently, prioritize competing workloads, support program objectives, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing data for completeness and compliance.
• Proficiency with a variety of software applications, including GEC Cert Tracker, Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat and other business applications.
• Knowledge of federal and state drinking water laws, rules, regulations, and Maine Drinking Water Program requirements, including operator certification and licensing processes, industry best practices, and the principles related to drinking water quality and treatment, with regard to public health protection.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and…