Maine State Monitor Advocate - Dir Labor Outreach & Education

State of Maine • Augusta, GA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is seeking a State Monitor Advocate (SMA) to help ensure that migrant and seasonal farmworkers receive equitable access to employment, training, career, and workforce protection services and that Maine's Employment Service system complies with applicable federal and state requirements. The State Monitor Advocate is an independent advocate, monitor, liaison, and program leader on behalf of migrant and seasonal farmworkers throughout Maine. The State Monitor Advocate will monitor MDOL programs serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers in accordance with the Wagner-Peyser Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), applicable federal regulations and U.S. Department of Labor guidance, and Maine state law and policy. The position is located within the Bureau of Labor Standards and works closely with Maine CareerCenters, agricultural employers, farm labor contractors, farmworker organizations, community-based organizations, legal services providers, state and federal agencies, and other organizations serving the agricultural workforce. The SMA must be able to work independently, exercise sound judgment, identify systemic issues, advocate effectively for workers and program participants, and build productive relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. The SMA must be proficient in Spanish or Haitian-Creole.

Requirements

• Direct knowledge and experience with agricultural workforce issues, including but not limited to foreign labor programs, immigrant and migrant workforces, labor trafficking, and the social service safety nets that support Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.
• Written and spoken proficiency in at least one of the languages spoken by Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in Maine (Spanish or Haitian Creole).
• Thorough knowledge of the Wagner Peyser Act, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and 20 C.F.R. Part 653.
• Ability to design and implement oversight procedures for reviewing and reporting on agency compliance.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and workgroups of diverse individuals.
• Ability to create and maintain productive relationships with partners, stakeholders, and constituents.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects and deliver work product with minimal supervision.
• An eight (8) year combination of education, training, and/or experience in developing, coordinating, and/or administering employment and training programs -OR- an acceptable equivalent combination of training, experience, and/or education.

Nice To Haves

• At least 1 year serving as a state monitor advocate or migrant and seasonal farmworker outreach worker with a State Workforce Agency.
• At least 3 years experience designing, conducting, and reporting out compliance reviews of public programs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and Evaluate Services: Monitor Maine CareerCenter services provided to migrant and seasonal farmworkers to ensure services are provided on a basis that is qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate to services provided to other job seekers. Conduct on-site reviews of CareerCenter offices, programs, records, policies, and practices affecting migrant and seasonal farmworker customers. Analyze program data and performance indicators to identify disparities, service gaps, trends, and areas requiring corrective action. Monitor compliance with applicable federal and state requirements governing the Bureau of Employment Services and migrant and seasonal farmworker programs. Prepare monitoring reports, recommendations, corrective-action plans, and other reports required by the Maine Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Labor. Provide technical assistance to CareerCenter staff and Department management.
• Conduct Outreach and Field Activities: Develop and implement statewide outreach strategies designed to reach migrant and seasonal farmworkers who may not otherwise access the CareerCenter system. Partner with the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker on outreach to farms, agricultural worksites, worker housing/camps, community locations, and other places where migrant and seasonal farmworkers live, work, and gather. Plan, host, and facilitate stakeholder meetings with workers, employers, farm owners, social service providers, agricultural trade associations, and others. Explain available employment and training services and workers’ rights in language and terms that are accessible to farmworkers.
• Advocate for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers: Advocate for access to employment services, training, referrals, career services, and other workforce resources. Inform workers of their rights and available complaint and referral processes. Receive, review, and monitor the employment-service and employment-related complaint system to ensure compliance with federal law. Identify recurring or systemic problems affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers and recommend policy, procedural, or operational improvements. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the National Farmworker Jobs Program and other organizations representing or serving farmworkers.
• Monitor Agricultural Recruitment and Employment Services: Monitor the state Agricultural Recruitment System and agricultural job-order clearance activities. Work with agricultural employers, CareerCenter staff, and other partners to promote lawful and effective recruitment of domestic workers for agricultural employment. Monitor agricultural job orders and related employment-service activities for compliance with federal requirements. Promote effective coordination between employers seeking agricultural workers and qualified domestic job seekers.
• Build Partnerships: Establish ongoing relationships with farmworker organizations, community-based organizations, legal services organizations, agricultural employers and employer organizations, and other stakeholders. Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies concerning issues affecting migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Participate in meetings, conferences, workgroups, training, and other activities involving the Monitor Advocate System.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed