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 Unemployment Compensation
Job Class Code:0752
Grade: 20 - Professional/Technical
Salary: $20.68 - $28.88 (Hourly)
Location: Augusta
Opening Date: May 20, 2026
Closing Date: June 4, 2026
Are you a detail-oriented professional with strong analytical skills and a commitment to public service? Can you make a decision - and defend it with confidence? Consider joining our team in a role that plays a vital part in supporting fair and lawful employment practices. As a Compliance Specialist, you will help ensure that employers meet their obligations under state unemployment insurance laws, contributing to the integrity and stability of the workforce.
The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Unemployment Compensation is seeking a motivated and conscientious individual to join the tax division to serve as a Compliance Specialist. In this key position, you will be responsible for evaluating business activities to determine liability for unemployment insurance coverage, managing business acquisitions, and investigating wage disputes. Your work will support the equitable administration of tax laws and help protect the rights of workers across the state.
Employees in this role report to the Augusta, Maine office. During the first six months, the schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After the probationary period, and depending on operational needs, you may be eligible for a change of hours and a hybrid in-office/remote schedule.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Reviews employer records to determine the liability of the employing unit for coverage and determine the type of entity to be established.
- Reviews employer records to determine wages in disputed claims.
- Investigates and determines the status of employing units when changes in ownership occur in order to establish the effective data on which the employer ceases or resumes activity and to instruct the employer as to the reports and/or contributions due
- Field inbound calls to provide effective customer service to employers regarding their Unemployment Contributions account
Skills, knowledges and Abilities:
Any combination of education and/or work experience that demonstrates competency in:
- Customer Service – written and verbal communication, active listening, empathy, identifying needs, clarifying information.
- Problem Solving – ability to analyze a situation, review possible actions and identify the best solution.
- Policy Interpretation - Applying laws and guidelines to specific cases accurately.
- Critical Thinking - Analyzing data and applying laws to make fair and accurate determinations.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education, training, and/or experience in accounting, business administration, economics, or another related field demonstrating competency in analyzing financial and tax documents, providing customer service, interpreting rules and regulations, and developing and implementing practical solutions.
Contact information:
Questions about this position should be directed to Melissa Merrithew at Melissa.J.Merrithew@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 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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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.
