Chief Labor/Safety Inspector

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

Join the State of Maine’s Wage and Hour Division as our next Chief Labor Inspector. Play a vital leadership role in protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of Maine’s workforce. In this position, you will oversee a team of dedicated wage and hour inspectors, guide complex investigations, and ensure consistent enforcement of state labor laws. This is an opportunity to strengthen strategic enforcement, mentor staff, and collaborate with employers, employees, and stakeholders to promote fair, safe, and lawful workplaces across the state.
We are seeking an experienced professional who brings strong judgment, integrity, and a commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will apply deep knowledge of wage and hour laws,  strong leadership, effective communication skills, and sound decision-making in a dynamic regulatory environment. If you are passionate about having a meaningful impact for Maine workers and businesses alike, please submit a cover letter and your resume when you apply.

As a Chief Labor Inspector, you will:

Direct and manage field operations to include scheduling annual inspections, reviewing and assigning complaint investigations, meeting with inspectors, and reviewing complaint findings in order to determine jurisdiction, violations, and appropriate courses of action. Oversee and enforce the Work Permit program to ensure minors meet legal age requirements for employment in non-hazardous occupations. Provide technical assistance with the student-learner and cooperative education program in order to ensure proper placement of youth in various on-the-job training programs. Respond to requests for information in order to explain provisions and implications of state labor law. Develop investigation methods and procedures, and establish qualitative and quantitative standards for inspectors to achieve departmental strategic plan goals. Review and evaluate unit/field operations and activities to develop improvements and make recommendations for change. Review, consult with the Attorney General’s Office, and recommend investigation cases  for litigation to ensure accuracy of findings and compliance with laws. Develop, implement, and oversee assigned labor-related programs in order to ensure program goals and objectives are met. Develop and administer program budgets. Hire, train, and evaluate performance of field operations personnel. Provide outreach and education on the Division’s purpose, responsibilities, and enforcement authority; and enhance public relations. Coordinate and participate in panel and group discussions, workshops, seminars, or meetings on law to develop consultation and training programs. Research and draft legislation  to assist the Division Director in developing proposed changes. Compile and analyze statistical data to provide information and evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement activities. Implement and comply with human resource laws, policies, procedures and practices such as: AA/EEO, recruitment, employment, position classification, performance appraisals, training, discipline, contract administration, human resource components of security protocols of agency information security and confidentiality policies, and employee safety.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An eight year combination of education, training, and/or experience in labor law employment practices or directly related field to include at least two (2) years of program administration.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Interviewing: The Chief Labor Inspector oversees and guides investigative practices across the Division. The preferred candidate will have experience conducting and supervising interviews in a variety of contexts, as well as coaching staff on effective interviewing techniques. This may include experience in fields such as law, human resources, law enforcement, compliance, or similar work that involves gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing information through structured conversations.

Auditing: The Chief Labor Inspector is responsible for complex case reviews and ensures consistency in evaluating records. The preferred candidate will have experience auditing or reviewing financial, payroll, timekeeping, or other technical records, and the ability to guide staff in identifying discrepancies, assessing credibility, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

Customer Service: The Chief Labor Inspector represents the Division and Department in interactions with the public, employers, and partner organizations. The preferred candidate will have a strong background in public service and demonstrated experience promoting professionalism, responsiveness, and fairness in all interactions, while also setting expectations and standards for staff.

Curiosity: The Chief Labor Inspector sets the tone for thorough, objective, and thoughtful investigations. The preferred candidate will bring a strong sense of curiosity and an analytical mindset, with the ability to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and encourage staff to approach complex issues with persistence and an open mind.

Perpetual Learning: The Chief Labor Inspector leads continuous improvement efforts within the Division. The preferred candidate will demonstrate a commitment to staying current with evolving labor laws, policies, and workplace trends, while fostering a culture of learning, knowledge-sharing, and adaptability to support effective and consistent enforcement.

For questions about the posting, email: [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 14.06% 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.