Director of the Maine State Approving Agency - Public Service Coordinator I

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Department of Defense, Veterans' and Emergency Management

Job Class Code: 0831
Grade: 27 Confidential
Salary: $67,267.20 - $95,097.60/Annually
Location: Augusta, ME

Opening Date: August 27, 2026

Closing Date: September 11, 2026

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

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) is seeking a Director for the Maine State Approving Agency (Public Service Coordinator I - CA27) to join our Central Office at Camp Keyes in Augusta. The Maine State Approving Agency (MESAA) plays a critical role in safeguarding the quality and integrity of education and training programs used by GI Bill® beneficiaries, ensuring that veterans can access approved, compliant, and high-value pathways across Maine's high schools, adult education centers, apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs, licensing and certification entities, and post-secondary institutions. Established under Title 38 of the United States Code (USC), SAAs operate as state-designated authorities acting on behalf of the federal government, forming a longstanding federal-state partnership that protects veterans and upholds educational standards. As the designated SAA for Maine, this program approves courses and training in accordance with Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Title 38 and Chapter 1606 of Title 10, ensuring that veterans and their families can fully and confidently access their earned education benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the MESAA and serve as its principal liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Association of State Approving Agencies, educational institutions, training providers, and other state and federal partners.
• Direct the approval of education and training programs eligible for GI Bill® benefits, exercising final approval authority and ensuring programs meet applicable federal and state requirements and established processing timelines.
• Lead statewide compliance and oversight activities for approved education and training institutions, including monitoring, inspections, investigations, corrective actions, and enforcement when programs fail to meet applicable requirements.
• Provide leadership, technical assistance, and guidance to educational institutions, training providers, veterans, and other eligible beneficiaries regarding veterans' education and training benefits and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Interpret and implement federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidance, and develop program policies and procedures that promote consistent, compliant, and effective statewide operations.
• Monitor program performance and manage reporting requirements, using data and program metrics to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and support continuous improvement.
• Manage MESAA's administrative and fiscal operations, including budgeting, VA reimbursement, recordkeeping, and compliance with the VA Cooperative Agreement, while representing MBVS in a professional and veteran-centered manner.
  

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidance governing veterans' education and job-training benefits, with the ability to interpret and apply complex requirements.
• Knowledge of modern management, supervisory, and office management principles and practices, with the ability to independently direct program operations and exercise sound judgment and decision-making authority.
• Knowledge of state budgeting, accounting, purchasing, contracting, and related administrative policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate education and training programs and make accurate, consistent, and defensible approval, compliance, and enforcement decisions.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities while meeting statutory, regulatory, and contractual deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex requirements clearly and establish effective working relationships with federal and state agencies, educational institutions, veterans, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard office applicat