Civil Rights Team Project Director (Research Assistant) - ANTICIPATED VACANCY - Finance and Administrative Services Division

Opening Date: August 15, 2025

Closing Date: August 29, 2025

Job Class Code: 0677

Grade: 26

Salary: $59,716.80 - $84,468.80/year

Bargaining Unit:MSEA-D, Supervisory

Position # 006000586

Job Description:

The Maine Office of the Attorney General is seeking a visionary leader with a passion and commitment for promoting equity in education to become the next Director of the Civil Rights Team Project (CRTP).

The CRTP, now in its 28th year, is a unique and exciting program designed to reduce bias-motivated behaviors and harassment in Maine schools. This is done through the formation and support of student civil rights teams, who engage their school communities in thinking and talking about issues related to race and skin color, national origin and ancestry, religion, disability, gender (including identity and expression), and sexual orientation.

This position is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the Civil Rights Team Project. The Director offers structure and support for participating schools and implements programming for their civil rights teams. The CRTP currently supports student civil rights teams in over 150 elementary, middle level, and high schools in all regions of the state. This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) working out of our office in Augusta and serving the entire state. Occasional travel, sometimes overnight, may be required.

The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated leader with great interpersonal skills, a deep understanding of civil rights issues, and a commitment to ongoing learning about equity and inclusion in education.

Position responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing and revising program structure, format, goals, objectives, and expectations.
  • Developing and implementing annual trainings for adult advisors.
  • Researching and developing content and best practices to share with civil rights teams.
  • Understanding and explaining Maine's civil rights and human rights protections, and how civil rights work differs from generic kindness and anti-bullying campaigns.
  • Providing support for civil rights teams, adult advisors, schools, parents, and community while adhering to the CRTP's policies against partisan political activity and representing the Maine Office of the Attorney General.
  • Responding to requests regarding incidents of bias, improving school climate, and addressing problem behavior.
  • Overseeing civil rights teams, including the review and analysis of activities and practices through regular reporting.
  • Conducting occasional school visits for presentations, on site trainings, and meetings.
  • Planning, developing, and coordinating annual statewide conference and/or in-person events for program participants.
  • Coordinating and conducting outreach through partnership opportunities; media promotion, community networking, and community events.
  • Promoting the Project and recruiting non-participating schools to join.
  • Supervising the Project Assistant.
  • Serving as a credible, trusted, statewide voice in furthering educational equity in the state of Maine.

Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Experience working in or with schools, with classroom experience preferred.
  • Deep knowledge of civil rights issues, especially as they apply to education and schools, acquired through education and training, work experience, or lived experience.
  • Experience in training and facilitation.
  • Experience designing content and curricula for others.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and execute a program or project through implementation and evaluation required, with experience in program development preferred.
  • A proven commitment to the values of the Civil Rights Team Project, including the principle that every student should feel safe, welcome, and respected for who they are.
  • Strong leadership skills and experience.
  • Strong oral and written communications skills.
  • A Bachelor's Degree with two (2) years of experience in directly related field. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Application Instructions

If you are interested in applying for this position, prepare a cover letter highlighting your experience and qualifications in Civil Rights matters that make you a strong candidate for the position and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

With your cover letter include a resume, three references, a written response to the supplemental questionnaire (available through the online direct hire application) and complete the online direct hire application .

This is the supplemental question:

Why do you think it is important that we talk about civil rights issues in our schools, inside and outside the classroom?

The Office is not responsible for late receipt of applications due to mail service, faxing malfunctions or electronic transmission malfunctions.

Job offer to new hire is conditional upon verification of credentials, criminal records, and driver's license check, and professional license requirements if applicable.

Please direct all questions to Division Chief Shirley Ferland via email or by calling (207) 626-8595.

BENEFITS

Maine state employees 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, and3+ weeks of vacation leave.Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service. Overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
  • Health Insurance Coverage The State of Maine pays85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costsfor 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 ($350.40 annual value).
  • Retirement Plan The State of Maine contributes13.29%of payto 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 One of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a childincluding fathers and adoptive parentsreceive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, unpaid leave may also be available under theFamily and Medical Leave Act.
  • Voluntary Deferred Compensation Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in aMaineSaves457(b) account through payroll deductions.
  • Learn aboutadditional wellness benefitsfor State employees from theOffice of Employee Health and Wellness.

Maine State Government and the Office of the Attorney General are Equal Opportunity employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.