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 Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Job Class Code: 3082
Grade: 22 (Professional/Technical)
Salary:  $26.36 - $33.73 (Hourly- includes a 2% stipend)
Location: Portland, ME
Opening Date: October 23, 2026
Closing Date:  November 6, 2026

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

Business Engagement Specialist

• Do you have successful experience supporting individuals with career development?
• Are you skilled at networking and building professional relationships with many different stakeholders?
• Do you enjoy helping people with disabilities achieve their career goals?

The Portland Vocational Rehabilitation office seeks Business Engagement Specialist candidates who will develop strong relationships with employers in Cumberland and York counties resulting in career exploration and permanent employment opportunities for clients with disabilities. These positions will work from the Portland CareerCenter at 151 Jetport Blvd. with flexibility for a hybrid, telework schedule.

 If you are a professional who excels at:

• Teamwork and professional, timely and accurate communication and documentation
• Identifying labor market needs and trends
• Understanding barriers to employment for people with disabilities

This position may a great match for you!

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Establishing a collaborative relationship with stakeholders.
• Contacting business and industry groups, advocating for clients, and developing dual client partnerships.
• Building partnerships within the workforce development system.
• Assessing client needs, identifying available resources, and supporting clients with appropriate employment preparation activities toward achieving employment.
• Maintaining accurate documentation using the AWARE computer-based client data system.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of the local labor market.
• Ability to work well as a member of a team.
• Excellent prioritization, organization and time management skills.
• Detail-oriented and timely documentation.
• Frequent local and occasional statewide travel.
• Effectively manage a hybrid work schedule.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in a field related to vocational rehabilitation and 2 years’ experience demonstrating knowledge and abilities related to assisting individuals with disabilities, employers and other stakeholders with their employment and workforce needs.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Samantha Fenderson, DVR Director at samantha.j.fenderson@maine.gov

To request a paper application, please contact Stephanie Hayes via email at recruiting.sesc@maine.gov

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 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 ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 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 ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% 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 forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days 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.

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 experience and passion set you apart.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE

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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.