Location: Augusta,Maine,United States
Maine Commission on Public Defense Services
Office Specialist II – Central Office/Augusta
Opening Date: December 10, 2024
Closing Date: December 26, 2024
Job Class Code: 6550
Grade: 19
Salary: $20.23 – $29.14/ Hourly
Position Number: 146000015
The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill one (1) Office Specialist II position in its central office location in Augusta. PDS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The ability to telework at times is available.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Independently compose, review, edit, and/or approve correspondence.
- Coordinate accounting and general operating activities; and assemble financial statements,
- evaluate work operations and procure supplies.
- Educate the public regarding the Administrative Procedures Act; and assist with rulemaking
- process, filings, and associated workflow.
- Research federal grant programs, prepare applications, interpret and administer program requirements, and prepare the financial statements and expenditure reports.
- Develop and recommend new work methods and administrative policies/procedures to improve existing work practices.
- Liaise between supervisor and internal and external sources on key matters.
- Interpret and implement the policies and decisions of superiors.
- Attend board/committee meetings to provide secretarial services.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: (These are required to successfully perform the work assigned.)
- Knowledge of the principles of organization.
- Knowledge of the principles of office management.
- Knowledge of bookkeeping principles and practices.
- Knowledge of State of Maine rulemaking processes and procedures.
- Knowledge of federal grant procedures.
- Ability to compose, review, and edit complex and/or technical business correspondence.
- Ability to use discretion and judgment in dispensing information.
- Knowledge of budgetary procedures.
- Knowledge of basic investigative principles, practices, and techniques.
- Ability to develop budgets and work programs.
- Ability to initiate, coordinate, implement, and evaluate administrative activities.
- Ability to assess need for capital expenditures and make recommendations.
- Ability to review proposed/enacted laws for appropriateness and feasibility, and to identify problems.
- Ability to plan, organize, administer and proctor licensure examinations.
- Ability to analyze solutions, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
- Ability to apply to non-routine individual cases an explanation and interpretation of applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
- Ability to understand and promote management goals as they affect day-to-day and long term operations.
- Ability to effectively plan and adjust work operations to meet planned and unexpected change.
- Ability to effectively represent the organization at internal and external meetings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Training, education, or experience in administrative support work that demonstrates:
- 1) competency in applying a proficient knowledge of modern office practices to perform advanced administrative support tasks at the statewide level that are broad in scope or functionally diverse, and
- 2) the ability to use independent judgment, initiative, and decision making on complex administrative matters. All positions in this classification assume the qualifications of: Office Assistant I, Office Assistant II, Office Associate I, Office Associate II and Office Specialist I.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please apply online and submit a cover letter and resume with your application.
For questions about this position, please contact Executive Director Jim Billings at jim.billings@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 costsfor 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).
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.
Apply to this job