Seasonal Reentry Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.
Pay Grade 17: Correctional Trade Instructor - Agriculture - Mountain View Correctional Facility, Charleston.
Grade 17: $25.66 to $32.97 (rate includes $1.00 Direct Care Stipend)
Job Class Code: 5350
Open: August 27, 2026
Close: September 11, 2026
MDOC is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the 'Maine Model of Corrections', we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice-involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training. We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission.
The Bureau of Human Resources is accepting applications to establish a register to fill a vacancy at Mountain View Correctional Facility in Charleston, ME. As a Correctional Trade Instructor, you will be responsible for the custody, security, discipline, treatment, rehabilitation, and training of residents.
Your responsibilities include supervising and instructing residents in a specific trade, assigning jobs to a resident crew, determining the equipment, supplies, and tools necessary for a job to be completed by a resident crew, and maintaining the security, control, and safety of that crew, specifically with food processing & large-scale composting. Employees without a Professional Trade license (e.g. Wood Scalers, Drinking Water Operators and Pesticide Applicators) must instruct a resident crew in a minimum of (3) three trade areas. (Often referred to as Collateral Duties.) Work is performed under limited supervision.
Typical Duties:

• Observes, monitors, controls, and evaluates resident work activity
• Instructs residents individually and in crews using various methods and techniques such as actual work performances, presentations, and demonstrations
• Records work activities and prepares reports of results -Instructs residents in collateral and trade duties -Confers with superiors to properly plan and schedule residents' work crews and ensure productive training experiences.
• Communicates behavioral observations to treatment teams and makes recommendations relative to corrective actions
• Issues and instructs residents in the use and maintenance of equipment, tools, materials, and personal protective gear
• Counsels and advises residents regarding personal matters, institutional rules and regulations, health and safety standards, and treatment strategies
• Intervenes in and controls acts of negative and aggressive behavior using physical force, restraints, chemical weapons, and other methods
• Maintains accurate and complete records to comply with ACA and other administrative policies.
• Identifies and recommends purchases of equipment and machinery based on testing and assessment of product performance, cost, and durability
• Serves as a fully participating, voting member of the Unit Management treatment team and is directly responsible for making decisions regarding transfers, classification status, and job assignments to assist in the rehabilitative process and ensure effectiveness of unit operations.
• Assigns residents to jobs based on project needs and residents' level of experience to complete the project and ensures residents receive adequate training.
• Assists in the implementation of special treatment programs and on-site educational programs to participate in resident rehabilitation and treatment for reentry to the community.
• Investigates and reports violations of institutional rules to superiors to provide information and ensure and maintain safety and security.
• Instructs and teaches residents trade skills and work methods to develop job skills and prepare residents for work outside the institution upon release.
• Responds to emergency situations internally and externally to the correctional facility as directed, utilizing training and intervention skills to secure residents and maintain order.

A full description of the job, along with all the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this work, can be found on the Bureau of Human Resources website.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify, you must have graduated from high school or equivalent and (3) three years of education and/or experience in a skilled trade (e.g., carpentry, electrician, plumbing, etc.). *Preference will be given to those candidates who possess skills in supervising work crews & experience with regenerative farming/gardening.
State of Maine Benefits: 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 well-being 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 the personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($13,231.40-$15,566.46 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 ($395.72. annual value).
• Retirement Plan - The State of Maine contributes up to 18.86% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee. *Will vary based on job class.
• 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 welcome a child-including fathers and adoptive parents-receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, 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. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
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 accommodation is provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Thinking about applying? Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply for 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.
REMINDER: Current state employees should apply for new open positions through PRISM using the "Find Jobs" report within the system, not through the external career page. More information on how to apply for jobs in PRISM can be found on the PRISM Learning - Home page under "Job Aids". Please contact your HR team with any questions or for support.
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.