Human Resources Manager - Public Service Manager I

Opening Date: March 14, 2024

Closing Date: March 28, 2024

Location: South Portland, Maine Position #: 04100-1862

Position Type: Permanent Full Time  Class Code: MA27

Grade: 27 Salary: $62,504.00 - $84,947.20/Annually

Are you a seasoned HR professional passionate about partnering with leaders in improving and supporting employment for a wide range of employees in a public service environment? Join us at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Maine. You'll play a pivotal role in supporting the Maine Model of Corrections for employees and management.

The ideal candidate will be an energetic, experienced Human Resources professional with a proven ability to think strategically, use sound judgment, maintain composure, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment, Well-qualified candidates will possess strong analytical, decision making, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. The position requires the ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively with the HR team and members of management. 

The HR Manager will be instrumental in supporting department-wide cultural changes. This role requires a results-driven expert, solving dozens of employee questions and situations daily across a variety of HR topics, including employee relations, performance management, compensation, policy administration and compliance matters. As an HR partner, you are a trusted advisor to managers and front-line supervisors, providing leadership coaching to encourage each team member to perform their best work. Exemplary customer service, interpersonal skills, and the ability to build relationships are critical in this role.

About Us: 

The Department of Corrections Human Resources Service Center is dedicated to providing exceptional human resource and employee relations furthering the Maine Model of Corrections in making our communities safer by reducing harm through supportive intervention, empowering change, and restoring lives. We are currently seeking an HR Manager to join our team.

Role Overview: As a Human Resources Manager, you will be a key member of the management team in making decisions that support the Maine Model of Corrections. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

·interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, laws, rules, policies, and procedures specific to Maine State Government and ensuring compliance with legal requirements

• managing recruitment and retention, onboarding activities, worker’s compensation activities, and oversight of compensation and benefits
• representing management at personnel related hearings and investigations
• administering a performance management system
• mediating disputes and assisting managers in administering the disciplinary process, conducting personnel investigations, gathering, and evaluating human resources related data, and educating managers and staff on Human Resources policy matters. 

Minimum Requirements: 
You must demonstrate a developed level of education and/or experience in human resources or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with established skills and experience in human resources within a unionized environment with a demonstrated aptitude for an array of HR Functions. 

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies (please use cover letter to speak about each of these):

• A proven ability to negotiate and successfully resolve labor/management issues formally and informally.
• A proven ability to effectively research and investigate allegations of inappropriate employee conduct.
• A proven ability to oversee recruitment and selection functions for a large agency, preferably in a 24/7 setting.
• A proven ability to administer compensation, benefits, workers compensation and performance management systems.

Why Join Us?

Maine Department of Corrections is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. The Human Resources Manager at Long Creek Youth Development Center, provides support to the team members committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for the right person with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in our mission, ‘Making our Communities Safer by Reducing Harm through Supportive Intervention, Empowering Change, and Restoring Lives’.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and relevant experience.

BENEFITS: 

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 ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 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 ($350.40 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 18.21% 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 four weeks 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. 

Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

 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.