Director of Apprenticeship - Public Service Manager I - Anticipated Vacancy

Location: Augusta, Maine

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 Labor - Bureau of Employment Services

Position Title: Public Service Manager I - Director of Apprenticeship

Working Title: Director of Apprenticeship

Grade: MA28/Confidential

Salary: $ $69,180.80 -$98,280.00/Annually

Location: Augusta

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

The Maine Department of Labor is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and results-oriented leader to serve as Director of Apprenticeship.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of apprenticeship in Maine and expand access to high-quality work-based learning opportunities across the state. The Director will lead statewide efforts to strengthen apprenticeship, build partnerships, support employers and workers, and ensure programs meet high standards for quality and compliance.

Maine’s employers need skilled workers, and Maine workers deserve meaningful pathways to good jobs and rewarding careers. Apprenticeship brings those needs together by connecting employers, workers, unions/worker organizations, and education and training partners.

Through paid, on-the-job training combined with related classroom instruction, apprenticeship gives people the opportunity to earn while they learn, gain valuable skills, and build careers. It also gives employers a proven way to develop the skilled workforce they need to grow and succeed. Apprenticeship is not only a pathway into a career, it is also a powerful tool for advancing workers already in the workforce, helping them gain new skills, move into higher-skilled positions, and increase their earning potential without leaving their jobs.

The Director will recognize that unions/worker organizations are essential partners in a strong apprenticeship system. The Director will build and maintain meaningful relationships with unions/worker organizations, recognizing their expertise in workforce development, workplace standards, training, and career advancement. They will also work closely with employers, education and training providers, workforce boards, community organizations, and government partners to strengthen apprenticeship opportunities and ensure programs meet the needs of Maine’s workers and businesses.

If you are passionate about building career pathways, developing Maine’s workforce, bringing partners together, supporting employers and workers, and creating opportunities for people to succeed, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

As Director of Apprenticeship, you will provide statewide leadership and direction for Maine’s apprenticeship system. Representative responsibilities include:

Grow apprenticeship opportunities by expanding participation across industries, regions, and communities.

Advance incumbent worker upskilling by partnering with employers, unions, and other worker organizations to use apprenticeship to help current employees gain new skills and move into skilled, higher-wage positions.

Champion quality and compliance by ensuring apprenticeship programs provide meaningful training, support, and recognized credentials while meeting applicable federal and state laws, rules, and policies, including 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30.

Build strong partnerships with employers, unions and other worker organizations, education and training providers, workforce boards, community organizations, and other workforce partners.

Engage employers, workers, unions, and worker organizations in identifying emerging workforce needs and developing apprenticeship opportunities that respond to industry demand and create meaningful career pathways for workers.

Represent Maine’s Apprenticeship Program with federal partners, other states, national apprenticeship organizations, employers, worker organizations, and workforce leaders.

Set strategy and direction by developing goals, priorities, and implementation plans in collaboration with staff and stakeholders.

Lead grant programs from application and award through implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including reporting to the Legislature and federal and philanthropic funders.

Invest in workforce partnerships by developing Requests for Applications (RFAs) and establishing, administering, and monitoring sub-recipient contracts.

Lead and develop staff by creating a supportive, accountable, and collaborative environment focused on high-quality service and results.

We are looking for a leader who combines strong program and organizational skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, navigate different perspectives, and bring employers, workers, unions, education, and workforce partners together around shared goals.

Knowledge of

• Apprenticeship statutes, rules, policies, and best practices, including 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30;
• Federal and state grant requirements, including sub-recipient contracting, monitoring, and performance reporting; and
• Workforce development systems and the roles of employers, unions and other labor organizations, education and training providers, workforce boards, and community partners.

Skills in

• Leadership, collaboration, and consensus building among diverse stakeholders;
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with employers, worker organizations, and other workforce partners;
• Grant development and grants management;
• Developing RFAs and drafting and managing contracts;
• Clear, concise, and accurate written communication, including the ability to translate policy, data, and program results into plain language for legislative, federal, philanthropic, and public audiences;
• Public speaking and presentations; and
• Supervision, coaching, and staff development.

Ability to

• Lead complex, statewide initiatives involving multiple partners and priorities;
• Manage multiple grants, contracts, deadlines, and competing priorities;
• Develop strong relationships with employers, unions and other worker organizations, workers, workforce partners, education and training providers, and other stakeholders;
• Bring diverse perspectives together and build consensus around shared workforce goals;
• Analyze information, identify opportunities, and make sound recommendations;
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences; and
• Lead with professionalism, accountability, flexibility, and commitment to public service.

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education, training, and progressively responsible professional experience in workforce development, apprenticeship, education and training, labor relations, or business and industry partnerships.

Demonstrated experience in program development, and implementation and evaluation, strategic planning, partnership development, and administration involving multiple stakeholders.

Demonstrated experience supervising staff, managing budgets and resources, and administering federal or state grant-funded programs.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience applying federal grant requirements, including applicable laws, regulations, policies, reporting requirements, and performance expectations.

Preference will be given to candidates with

• Experience directly administering or supporting registered apprenticeship programs, such as through a State Apprenticeship Agency, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, or an apprenticeship sponsor;
• Experience developing apprenticeship or work-based learning opportunities for incumbent workers and new entrants;
• Experience working collaboratively and establishing relationships with unions, worker organizations, employers, community organizations, education and training providers, or joint labor-management apprenticeship programs;
• Experience managing federal or state grant programs, including sub-recipient oversight, monitoring reviews, and audits;
• Experience overseeing a multi-year program budget; and
• Experience leading a statewide or multi-region program

Contact information

Questions about this position should be directed to Dawn Mealey at [email protected]

To request a paper application, please contact Stephanie Hayes via email at [email protected]

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 18.86% 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.