Career Center Manager - Portland
NatureServe
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
Job Class Code: 0712
Grade: 27 Supervisory
Salary: $61,942.40 - $87,464.00 - Annually
Location: Portland
Opening Date: April 3, 2026
Closing Date: April 22, 2026
If you are interested in using your leadership and managerial skills to make a difference in the lives of others, you may be interested in this position. This is your chance to join a team of hardworking professionals who support job seekers and businesses across Maine. You would be planning, administering, and coordinating the delivery of services to connect job seekers with employers and employers with job candidates. This position is based in Portland with additional oversight of Springvale office as well as several itinerant locations. Responsibilities include developing, implementing and evaluating CareerCenter service plans that outline annual performance goals, resources that are allocated to attain them, and using data reports and customer satisfaction feedback to evaluate them. Work involves providing leadership to staff and developing/maintaining collaborative relationships with CareerCenter partners; employing standard tools such as project management, time management, coaching, performance management techniques to support plan implementation; interactive skills to gain wide support of CareerCenter activities. Supervision is exercised over subordinate employees. Work is performed under limited supervision. Frequent travel to Springvale will be required.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Develops, implements and evaluates CareerCenter service plans that outline annual performance goals, resources that are allocated to attain them, and use data reports and customer satisfaction feedback to evaluate them.
- Provides leadership to staff and employs standard tools such as project management, time management, coaching, performance management techniques to support plan implementation; interactive skills to gain wide support of CareerCenter activities.
- Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with community workforce development stakeholders in order to ensure maximum staff and partner participation in developing the workforce.
- Assesses gaps between desired and actual outcomes by applying systems approach, and developing, implementing, and monitoring corrective action strategies in order to improve CareerCenter performance results
- Supports and encourages change, continuous improvement and appropriate risk-taking in order to empower staff and promote leadership behaviors
- Promotes/encourages/provides opportunities for continued staff development and training in order to build/maintain overall capacity, skillsets, and highest level of system effectiveness
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities that are essential for success in the position:
- Knowledge of leadership principles and behavior expectations associated with them
- Knowledge of principles and practices of management
- Knowledge of program planning and development
- Ability to use project management, time management and group dynamics in accomplishing goals
- Ability to analyze program needs and challenges, develop corrective actions or program enhancements
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Ability to speak and write effectively
- Ability to analyze data, reach logical solutions and make sound decision
Minimum qualifications:
Five (5) years experience in developing, coordinating, and/or administering employment and training programs -AND- a Bachelors Degree in Business or Public Administration or one of the Social Sciences -OR- an acceptable combination of training, experience, and education.
Preference will be given to those applicants demonstrating:
- Demonstrated strong leadership/managerial/supervisory skills
- Excellent verbal and written communications.
- Excellent customer service skills
- Experience interpreting federal/state laws, regulations, and guidelines
Contact information:
Questions about this position should be directed to Dawn.E.Mealey@Maine.gov
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 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.09% 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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