Maine State Monitor Advocate - Dir Labor Outreach & Education

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 LaborJob Class Code: 7251Grade: 27 (Supervisory)Salary:  $61,942.40 - $87,464.00/AnnuallyLocation: AugustaOpening Date: September 11, 2026Closing Date: September 25,2026

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is seeking a State Monitor Advocate (SMA) to help ensure that migrant and seasonal farmworkers receive equitable access to employment, training, career, and workforce protection services and that Maine's Employment Service system complies with applicable federal and state requirements. The State Monitor Advocate is an independent advocate, monitor, liaison, and program leader on behalf of migrant and seasonal farmworkers throughout Maine.

About the Position

The State Monitor Advocate will monitor MDOL programs serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers in accordance with the Wagner-Peyser Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), applicable federal regulations and U.S. Department of Labor guidance, and Maine state law and policy.

The position is located within the Bureau of Labor Standards and works closely with Maine CareerCenters, agricultural employers, farm labor contractors, farmworker organizations, community-based organizations, legal services providers, state and federal agencies, and other organizations serving the agricultural workforce.

The SMA must be able to work independently, exercise sound judgment, identify systemic issues, advocate effectively for workers and program participants, and build productive relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. The SMA must be proficient in Spanish or Haitian-Creole.

Key Responsibilities

Monitor and Evaluate Services

• Monitor Maine CareerCenter services provided to migrant and seasonal farmworkers to ensure services are provided on a basis that is qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate to services provided to other job seekers.
• Conduct on-site reviews of CareerCenter offices, programs, records, policies, and practices affecting migrant and seasonal farmworker customers.
• Analyze program data and performance indicators to identify disparities, service gaps, trends, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Monitor compliance with applicable federal and state requirements governing the Bureau of Employment Services and migrant and seasonal farmworker programs.
• Prepare monitoring reports, recommendations, corrective-action plans, and other reports required by the Maine Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Labor.
• Provide technical assistance to CareerCenter staff and Department management.

Conduct Outreach and Field Activities

• Develop and implement statewide outreach strategies designed to reach migrant and seasonal farmworkers who may not otherwise access the CareerCenter system.
• Partner with the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker on outreach to farms, agricultural worksites, worker housing/camps, community locations, and other places where migrant and seasonal farmworkers live, work, and gather.
• Plan, host, and facilitate stakeholder meetings with workers, employers, farm owners, social service providers, agricultural trade associations, and others.
• Explain available employment and training services and workers’ rights in language and terms that are accessible to farmworkers.

Advocate for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

• Advocate for access to employment services, training, referrals, career services, and other workforce resources.
• Inform workers of their rights and available complaint and referral processes.
• Receive, review, and monitor the employment-service and employment-related complaint system to ensure compliance with federal law.
• Identify recurring or systemic problems affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers and recommend policy, procedural, or operational improvements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the National Farmworker Jobs Program and other organizations representing or serving farmworkers.

Monitor Agricultural Recruitment and Employment Services

• Monitor the state Agricultural Recruitment System and agricultural job-order clearance activities.
• Work with agricultural employers, CareerCenter staff, and other partners to promote lawful and effective recruitment of domestic workers for agricultural employment.
• Monitor agricultural job orders and related employment-service activities for compliance with federal requirements.
• Promote effective coordination between employers seeking agricultural workers and qualified domestic job seekers.

Build Partnerships

• Establish ongoing relationships with farmworker organizations, community-based organizations, legal services organizations, agricultural employers and employer organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies concerning issues affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
• Participate in meetings, conferences, workgroups, training, and other activities involving the Monitor Advocate System.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• direct knowledge and experience with agricultural workforce issues, including but not limited to foreign labor programs, immigrant and migrant workforces, labor trafficking, and the social service safety nets that support Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers;
• written and spoken proficiency in at least one of the languages spoken by Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in Maine (Spanish or Haitian Creole);
• thorough knowledge of the Wagner Peyser Act, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and 20 C.F.R. Part 653;
• ability to design and implement oversight procedures for reviewing and reporting on agency compliance;
• strong written and spoken communication skills;
• ability to facilitate meetings and workgroups of diverse individuals;
• ability to create and maintain productive relationships with partners, stakeholders, and constituents;
• manage multiple tasks and projects and deliver work product with minimal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications: An eight (8) year combination of education, training, and/or experience in developing, coordinating, and/or administering employment and training programs -OR- an acceptable equivalent combination of training, experience, and/or education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 1 year serving as a state monitor advocate or migrant and seasonal farmworker outreach worker with a State Workforce Agency.
• At least 3 years experience designing, conducting, and reporting out compliance reviews of public programs.

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 costs for 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 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees. 

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.

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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.