Drinking Water Rules Specialist

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Environmental Specialist III

Opening Date:
March 6, 2026

Closing Date:
March 19, 2026

Job Class Code: 9253

Grade: 23 (Pro/Tech)

Salary: $52,894.40 – $74,214.40*

* This is inclusive of a 7.33% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number:

Location:

286 Water Street, Augusta, ME

-Limited Period Position-

This position allows for partial telework with management approval.

As a Rules Specialist at the Drinking Water Program, you will be at the forefront of protecting public health and ensuring safe drinking water for communities in Maine. As part of the Drinking Water Program, you will be tasked with overseeing public water systems throughout Maine and administering federal and state drinking water regulations to ensure that Maine citizens have safe, secure and reliable drinking water.

This position will need to understand and stay up to date on safe drinking water rules and regulations, sharing that information with internal staff as well as with external partners and water systems. You will use your rule expertise to assist with development of policies, rules and procedures, as well as to make compliance decisions related to public water system compliance with the rules.

You will also:

• Track compliance with various drinking water rules to aid with compliance decisions.
• Assist with compliance determinations including review of all candidate violations, assisting with the determination/issuing of appropriate violations and resolving violations.
• Develop expertise in specific Safe Drinking Water Act Rules and be responsible for keeping up to date on regulatory changes and in-depth aspects of these regulations to oversee their implementation.
• Review documents for compliance with rule requirements.
• Review high sample results and provide information to staff to assist with determinations on the appropriate course of action to be taken.
• Review testing requirements for public water systems and set up/change appropriate sample schedules.
• Provide rule assistance for the new well approval process, treatment reviews and other public water system issues.
• Provide training and support for staff and other entities on drinking water rule information and changes to those rules.
• Develop and write letters related to schedule changes, violations, plan approvals, rule requirements and other issues related to drinking water rules.

A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering which includes two (2) years of environmental experience. Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework from an accredited educational institution.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations related to drinking water.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Access, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to disseminate complex rules and regulations, through trainings and other outreach tools, to assist others with understanding and implementation of requirements.
• Knowledge of biological, chemical, physical, geological, ecological and/or engineering principles as well as water chemistry and treatment processes.

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.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older…