Director of the Maine State Approving Agency - Public Service Coordinator I

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The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is seeking a Director for the Maine State Approving Agency (Public Service Coordinator I – CA27) to join our Central Office at Camp Keyes in Augusta. The Maine State Approving Agency (MESAA) plays a critical role in safeguarding the quality and integrity of education and training programs used by GI Bill® beneficiaries, ensuring that veterans can access approved, compliant, and high‑value pathways across Maine’s high schools, adult education centers, apprenticeship and on‑the‑job training programs, licensing and certification entities, and post‑secondary institutions. Established under Title 38 of the United States Code (USC), SAAs operate as state‑designated authorities acting on behalf of the federal government, forming a longstanding federal‑state partnership that protects veterans and upholds educational standards. As the designated SAA for Maine, this program approves courses and training in accordance with Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Title 38 and Chapter 1606 of Title 10, ensuring that veterans and their families can fully and confidently access their earned education benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the MESAA and serve as its principal liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Association of State Approving Agencies, educational institutions, training providers, and other state and federal partners.
• Direct the approval of education and training programs eligible for GI Bill® benefits, exercising final approval authority and ensuring programs meet applicable federal and state requirements and established processing timelines.
• Lead statewide compliance and oversight activities for approved education and training institutions, including monitoring, inspections, investigations, corrective actions, and enforcement when programs fail to meet applicable requirements.
• Provide leadership, technical assistance, and guidance to educational institutions, training providers, veterans, and other eligible beneficiaries regarding veterans’ education and training benefits and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Interpret and implement federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidance, and develop program policies and procedures that promote consistent, compliant, and effective statewide operations.
• Monitor program performance and manage reporting requirements, using data and program metrics to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and support continuous improvement.
• Manage MESAA’s administrative and fiscal operations, including budgeting, VA reimbursement, recordkeeping, and compliance with the VA Cooperative Agreement, while representing MBVS in a professional and veteran-centered manner.
   

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidance governing veterans’ education and job-training benefits, with the ability to interpret and apply complex requirements.
• Knowledge of modern management, supervisory, and office management principles and practices, with the ability to independently direct program operations and exercise sound judgment and decision-making authority.
• Knowledge of state budgeting, accounting, purchasing, contracting, and related administrative policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate education and training programs and make accurate, consistent, and defensible approval, compliance, and enforcement decisions.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities while meeting statutory, regulatory, and contractual deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex requirements clearly and establish effective working relationships with federal and state agencies, educational institutions, veterans, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard office applications, with the ability to analyze program data, prepare reports, and maintain accurate records.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, education, accounting, or a related field and five (5) years of relevant professional experience in program administration, education or training, business management, regulatory compliance, personnel management, or a related field. Preference will be given to those with advanced degrees in the aforementioned degree fields.
• Successful completion of required fingerprinting and a federal background check. Applicants must have a current REAL ID or a valid passport to complete the required federal background-check process.
• Frequent in-state and occasional out-of-state travel are required.

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 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% 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.