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 Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Assistant Environmental Engineer
Opening Date: June 4, 2026
Closing Date: June 17, 2026
Job Class Code: 6320
Grade: 22 (04)
Salary: $25.74-$35.92 per hour*
*This is inclusive of a 13.50% recruitment and retention stipend.
Position Number: 02000-2335
Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
Core Responsibilities:
In this role, you’ll take the lead on licensing and inspecting the use of radioactive materials across Maine. This is hands-on, real-world work where you’ll build expertise in radiation safety, support public health, and play a key role in ensuring regulations are applied in meaningful ways, not just on paper. You’ll split your time between fieldwork, collaboration with partner agencies, and independent project ownership, giving you the chance to develop both technical and professional skills early in your career.
You will also be:
- Reviewing and approving licenses for radioactive material use.
- Helping shape and update regulations that align with federal standards.
- Investigating issues and complaints, and working directly with facilities to resolve them.
- Leading on-site inspections across a wide range of industries.
- Turning your findings into reports, recommendations, and policy input.
- Participating in and eventually leading training opportunities.
- Supporting emergency response efforts when needed.
- Recommending safety improvements that directly impact public health.
- Overseeing indoor tanning facility registrations and conducting inspections as needed.
What makes this role unique:
- This is a small, supportive team where people genuinely help each other succeed.
- No two days look the same, you might be in the office one day and in the field the next.
- The role includes travel across Maine, including time outdoors in some of the State’s most interesting and scenic locations.
- You’ll work alongside and learn from a wide range of partners, including Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the National Guard Civil Support Team (CST), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), hospitals, nuclear power facilities, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, paper mills, and manufacturing sites.
- There are strong opportunities for training and skill development
- This is a rare chance to gain exposure to environments and work experiences that most people never get to see.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelors Degree in Environmental, Civil, Sanitary, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, or related Engineering field.
Preferred Candidates will also have:
- Knowledge of and experience with radiation measurement devices and mathematics related to health physics
- Experience interpreting and administering state and federal radiation control laws, regulations, and procedures, including inspection, licensing, and enforcement activities pertaining to radioactive materials.
- Experience communicating information pertaining to health physics to the regulated community, state and federal agencies, non- governmental organizations, or the public.
LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class). For non-engineering college graduates and non-degreed candidates: Certification of Engineer-in-Training as issued by the Maine State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers.
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.
Agency information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.
The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.
Application Information:
For questions about this position, please contact Kim Buffum, Radiation Control Program Manager, at Kimberly.Buffum@Maine.gov
To apply, please upload your current resume and cover letter.
Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.
To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@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%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 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 ($395.72 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
- Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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.
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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.
