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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The Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Quality Management, is accepting applications to fill a seasonal position for a Conservation Aide in the Augusta region.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

CONSERVATION AIDE

(OVERBOARD DISCHARGE)

There are two open seasonal conservation aide positions out of Augusta (1781 and 1286). If you wish to apply for both you will need to do so as separate applications.

Opening Date: March 09, 2026

Closing Date: End of day April 06, 2026

Location: Augusta

Position Number: 08330-1286

Position Type: Seasonal

Class Code: 9455

Grade: 06 (Operations/Maintenance)

Salary: $16.13 - $19.41 Per Hour*

*(This includes a 7.5% Salary Adjustment)

Interested candidates need to complete and submit an online State of Maine Direct Hire Application, along with a Cover Letter, and a detailed Resume.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: Conservation Aides assist the OBD Inspection Coordinator with inspections of Overboard Discharge (OBD) treatment systems throughout Maine. OBD systems are specialized wastewater treatment systems that treat household or commercial sewage and then discharge the treated effluent to a receiving water body. Duties include using a state vehicle to travel throughout Maine—mostly coastal areas, locating and accessing OBD systems; inspection and documentation of system conditions; meeting with/contact owners about their systems’ operations; coordinate with service contractors to facilitate repair work; follow up on failed inspections; and data entry/management.

For questions specific to the position, please contact Bradley Kelso at: Bradley.G.Kelso@maine.gov

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge and/or experience in conservation work and/or a high school diploma or equivalent.

Preference will be given to those with a valid Maine Class C driver’s license or better. Previous experience performing OBD system inspections and familiarity with the DEP Water Program database(s), knowledge of biology, chemistry, engineering, ecology, marine sciences, and mechanical equipment maintenance is also helpful.

A job offer to new hire is conditional upon verification of credentials, criminal records, and driver’s license check if applicable.

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 14.11% 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.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

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.