Director, Bureau of Labor Standards

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Labor

Job Class Code: HE37
Grade: 36/Confidential (Appointed)
Salary: $$92,872-$147,596/Annually
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: January 6, 2025

Closing Date:  January 31, 2025

The Maine Department of Labor seeks a Director for the Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS). The Department is comprised of seven bureaus that work towards the statutory mission of achieving “the most effective utilization of the employment and training resources in the State by developing and maintaining an accountable state employment and training policy, by ensuring safe working conditions and protection against loss of income and by enhancing the opportunities of individuals to improve their economic status.”

The Director of Labor Standards, in consultation with the Commissioner, provides strategic vision and operational guidance for the Bureau. The Bureau helps workers and businesses make their worksites safer; enforces worker protections including minimum wages, child labor and other labor laws; and gathers information and recommends policy changes and guidance in response to the evolving nature of work in Maine.

Primary responsibilities include:  

The Director reports directly to the Commissioner and oversees all Bureau operations delivered through a staff of about 40. There are three Divisions, plus an Outreach and Education Coordinator and the State Monitor Advocate, who guarantees appropriate services for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.

The three Divisions are:

• Wage and Hour Division
• Workplace Safety and Health Division
• Research and Statistics Division

The Director has a unique statutory responsibility for implementation and enforcement of Maine’s employment protections and standards and is required to serve as a member of the Board of Occupational Safety and Health.

The Director represents the Department on committees, panels, meetings, and testifies before legislative committees.

The Director helps develop policy, legislation and rules as needed for those areas within the Bureau’s jurisdiction.

The Director monitors the performance and effectiveness of the various programs and activities of the Bureau and supports the senior staff in designing new processes or mechanisms for achieving Bureau and Department goals.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Working knowledge of employment law, rules, policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the strategic enforcement framework
• Experience building and managing high-functioning teams and multiple projects, and a history of achieving programmatic goals.
• A demonstrated track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with employers, employees and their advocacy organizations.
• Ability to evaluate and analyze complex information and use it to implement action plans.
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbally and in writing) including strong active listening, and problem-solving skills, with varied audiences such as: the general public, legislators, employers, employees, and department staff.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to  Laura Fortman, Commissioner Laura.A.Fortman@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application.  In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period.  Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700.  Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME  04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018.  Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included.  Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.  

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

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