Public Relations Jobs 2026 (Now Hiring) – Smart Auto Apply

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 Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management- Maine Emergency Management Agency

Job Class Code: 0340

Grade: 22 (Professional/Technical)

Salary: $50,004.86 - $69,781.92/Annually *Salary includes 6% Stipend

Location: Augusta, ME

Opening Date: May 13, 2026

Closing Date: May 28, 2026

Are you seeking a position that has a real impact on Maine's communities? The Maine Emergency Management Agency's(MEMA) Public Assistance Program is one of the State's largest grant programs with a portfolio of projects ranging from road repair to seawall reconstruction and everything in between. If you take the role of public service seriously and are looking for an engaging, challenging, and rewarding career, we may have a position for you.

This critical role is responsible for helping Maine's communities assess damages, apply for aid, and execute recovery and mitigation efforts following a disaster. As a Recovery Program Officer, you will be an advocate for communities seeking Federal Public Assistance funds. This work includes reviewing applications, managing projects through the entire grant lifecycle, and ensuring that all programs are properly documented, executed, and closed out in a timely and accountable manner.

The MEMA Public Assistance Program serves as the conduit for Federal grant funds for the state and is part of the Maine Emergency Management Agency. This position reports directly to the State Public Assistance Officer.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provide disaster recovery guidance and expertise to applicants across technical programmatic areas to include but not limited to eligibility, procurement, programmatic requirements, compliance, extensions, appeals, closeouts, and audits.

• Attend in-person and virtual meetings across the State to serve as support and as a representative of State emergency management and public infrastructure disaster recovery.

• Track applicants' progression through the Public Assistance Program Delivery Model and monitor applicant activities to ensure State and Federal compliance.

• Partner and coordinate with the Public Assistance Grant Administrator to ensure that programmatic tracking requirements are aligned with fiscal tracking requirements.

• Serve as a liaison for applicants to other State and Federal agencies associated with environmental and historic preservation requirements.

• Monitor changes to law, regulation, policy and guidance documentation as it pertains to the Public Assistance grant program.

• Create accessible reference documentation for applicants and partner agencies pertaining to disaster preparedness or changes in State and Federal law, regulation, policy or guidance.

• Provide accessible training to applicants on all aspects of the Public Assistance program.

• Assist with the planning and execution of the Initial and Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment processes across areas that have obtained significant damage under a Stafford Act incident.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of Emergency Management practices and related fields

• Knowledge of budget methodologies, techniques, and practices

• Knowledge of State, Federal, and Local government structures and functions

• Knowledge of the Grants Management lifecycle

• Knowledge of data processing and information services

• Ability to interpret program trends, results, and related data to formulate recommendations

• Ability to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines

• Ability to develop and analyze complex programmatic and financial information quickly and accurately

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Minimum qualifications:

Education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in contract or grant administration.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in grant management, procurement, financial reporting, data analytics and Emergency Management.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Joe Niesen, State Public Assistance Officer at (207)208-9498 or Joseph.Niesen@maine.gov

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 Fit- 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%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 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.

• Dental Insurance- The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).

• Retirement Plan- The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.91% for Confidential employees.

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 lived experience and passion set you apart.

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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.