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Bureau of Human Resources Office of Employee Relations Opening Date:
February 24, 2026
Closing Date:
March 17, 2026
Job Class Code:
CA27 Grade:
27 Confidential Salary:
$64,376.00 - $91,000.00/Annually Position Number:
004400016
Position Type:
Full-Time
Location:
Augusta
The Office of Employee Relations is by law the Governor's designee to carry out the employer functions of the State under the State Employees Labor Relations Act ("SELRA"). Accordingly, the Office is responsible for all matters concerning the collective bargaining process and for the development and implementation of employee relations policies for all departments and agencies within the Executive Branch of State Government.
As a Labor Relations Specialist in the Office of Employee Relations, you will:
Represent the Executive Branch in collective bargaining, grievances, mediation and arbitration;
Provide guidance on the State’s eight collective bargaining agreements;
Hear grievances of State employees and write decisions based on the presentations of the parties;
Mediate resolutions to grievances and collective bargaining disputes;
Research bargaining history and case facts;
Act as chief negotiator in impact bargaining and labor/management committees.
In carrying out the duties described above, it is critical to establish and maintain professional relationships with State HR professionals, agency heads and managers, arbitrators, and Union representatives. In addition to the competencies below, this position requires strong oral and written communication skills, ability to maintain effective working relationships, critical thinking ability, the ability to multi-task and travel statewide as necessary.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate competencies in the following areas: Analytical Thinking
- The ability to identify key issues in a problem or situation, examining interpersonal, personal, political and situational variables.
Creativity
- The ability to recognize and make recommendations when there is a need for new/modified approaches.
Customer-Focused
– The ability to probe for the real, underlying needs of employee or manager seeking assistance and to match those to available options.
Effective Communications
– The ability to negotiate solutions to problems or obstacles while maintaining positive relationships with others.
Integrity
– The ability to choose actions in accordance with agency vision and applicable laws, even when in conflict with personal preference.
Sound Judgment
– The ability to evaluate facts, analyze information, reach logical conclusions and make sound recommendations.
Supportive Coaching
– The ability to share experiences to help others recognize what has worked well in the past and what can be improved.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated understanding and experience working with collective bargaining agreements. Experience in Human Resources in a unionized workplace is preferred but not required.
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact recruiting.ggsc@maine.gov
The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
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 18.91 % 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.
When 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Bureau of Human Resources Office of Employee Relations Opening Date:
February 24, 2026
Closing Date:
March 17, 2026
Job Class Code:
CA27 Grade:
27 Confidential Salary:
$64,376.00 - $91,000.00/Annually Position Number:
004400016
Position Type:
Full-Time
Location:
Augusta
The Office of Employee Relations is by law the Governor's designee to carry out the employer functions of the State under the State Employees Labor Relations Act ("SELRA"). Accordingly, the Office is responsible for all matters concerning the collective bargaining process and for the development and implementation of employee relations policies for all departments and agencies within the Executive Branch of State Government.
As a Labor Relations Specialist in the Office of Employee Relations, you will:
Represent the Executive Branch in collective bargaining, grievances, mediation and arbitration;
Provide guidance on the State’s eight collective bargaining agreements;
Hear grievances of State employees and write decisions based on the presentations of the parties;
Mediate resolutions to grievances and collective bargaining disputes;
Research bargaining history and case facts;
Act as chief negotiator in impact bargaining and labor/management committees.
In carrying out the duties described above, it is critical to establish and maintain professional relationships with State HR professionals, agency heads and managers, arbitrators, and Union representatives. In addition to the competencies below, this position requires strong oral and written communication skills, ability to maintain effective working relationships, critical thinking ability, the ability to multi-task and travel statewide as necessary.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate competencies in the following areas: Analytical Thinking
- The ability to identify key issues in a problem or situation, examining interpersonal, personal, political and situational variables.
Creativity
- The ability to recognize and make recommendations when there is a need for new/modified approaches.
Customer-Focused
– The ability to probe for the real, underlying needs of employee or manager seeking assistance and to match those to available options.
Effective Communications
– The ability to negotiate solutions to problems or obstacles while maintaining positive relationships with others.
Integrity
– The ability to choose actions in accordance with agency vision and applicable laws, even when in conflict with personal preference.
Sound Judgment
– The ability to evaluate facts, analyze information, reach logical conclusions and make sound recommendations.
Supportive Coaching
– The ability to share experiences to help others recognize what has worked well in the past and what can be improved.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated understanding and experience working with collective bargaining agreements. Experience in Human Resources in a unionized workplace is preferred but not required.
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact recruiting.ggsc@maine.gov
The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
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 18.91 % 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.
When 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr