Position: HR Business Partner
Department: Department of the Secretary of State
Schedule: Monday-Friday 
Job Class: MA31
Salary: $74,713.59- $105,809.60 Annually

Closing Date: July 16, 2025

Join Our Team at the Department of the Secretary of State
At the Department of the Secretary of State, we are a team dedicated to providing efficient and exceptional service to our community. We prioritize work-life balance and offer significant benefits to support our team in achieving professional success while maintaining personal well-being. Join a team that fosters a culture of teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities for growth and making a meaningful impact on the lives of our citizens.

Are you ready to make a difference?
We are seeking a dedicated and collaborative HR Business Partner who excels in a dynamic, growth-focused environment. If you are passionate about making a difference, driving success, and being part of a positive team culture, we want you on our team. As an HR Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted partner, guiding and mentoring employees at all levels, while fostering an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative workplace culture. Your leadership will be integral to supporting the development and success of the team, while enhancing the workplace environment for all employees.

About the Position:
We are seeking a motivated individual for the position of HR Business Partner at the Department of the Secretary of State. As HR Business Partner, you will work alongside the Director of Organizational Development to oversee all aspects of human resources programs across the Department, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions (CEC), and Maine State Archives. In this leadership role, you will lead HR operations with a focus on building and maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters growth, professional development, and collaboration. You will aid in the development and execution of HR strategies, navigate change management, and contribute to modernizing workplace practices that align with both employee needs and the Department’s evolving priorities. Your expertise in labor relations, especially in unionized environments, will ensure that employee relations are handled with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for all parties.

What We’re Looking For:

• Empathetic Leadership: A leader who listens, understands, and collaborates to empower staff at all levels, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
• Team Player: A strong collaborator who works seamlessly with others, contributing to shared goals and helping the team succeed.
• Clear Communicator: Excellent communication skills to foster alignment and clarity with colleagues, management, and stakeholders.
• Adaptable: A flexible mindset, able to pivot with changing priorities, processes, and technologies while maintaining focus on results.
• Problem-Solver: Critical thinking skills to identify challenges and implement innovative solutions that drive organizational success.
• Detail-Oriented: A commitment to accuracy and thoroughness in managing tasks and responsibilities, ensuring quality outcomes.
• Professionalism: Consistently demonstrating respect, courtesy, and a positive demeanor, fostering a constructive and inclusive work environment.

Key Competencies We Value:

• Innovation & Adaptability: Proven ability to drive change and modernize practices to meet the evolving needs of the organization and its workforce.
• Labor Relations & Conflict Resolution: Extensive experience in unionized environments, with a strong focus on navigating labor relations, collective bargaining, and resolving conflicts professionally and fairly.
• Change Management Expertise: Skilled in leading teams through transitions, implementing new processes, and ensuring seamless adoption of change.
• Emotional Intelligence: A natural ability to connect with others, showing empathy while maintaining professionalism and accountability in all interactions.
• Effective Communication & Feedback: Expertise in managing challenging situations, offering constructive feedback, and fostering an environment of respect and growth.
• Time Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and balance multiple responsibilities with ease.
• Commitment to Excellence: A dedication to upholding high standards in service delivery and performance, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Growth-Oriented Mindset: Constantly seeking opportunities to improve processes, learn new skills, and support team development.

In this role, you will:

• Partner with leadership: Collaborate closely with the Director of Organizational Development to oversee HR functions, ensuring strategies are aligned with departmental goals.
• Lead with purpose: Guide the HR team to drive collaboration, accountability, and operational efficiency across all HR functions.
• Enhance recruitment & retention: Oversee efforts to attract and retain top talent while ensuring training and development initiatives align with organizational needs.
• Elevate performance management: Lead performance management processes, supporting managers with goal setting, evaluations, and fostering employee growth.
• Be a trusted advisor: Manage employee relations with empathy and fairness, promoting a positive, respectful workplace and conducting thorough investigations when needed.
• Foster mentorship & inclusivity: Drive a culture of mentorship, professional development, and inclusivity, ensuring all staff thrive.
• Manage labor relations: Navigate labor relations efforts, including collective bargaining, and ensure compliance with union agreements.
• Drive innovation: Spearhead HR innovations that improve employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Oversee benefits & compliance: Oversee payroll, benefits (including FMLA, PFMLA, ADA, and EEO), and workers' compensation programs, ensuring compliance with legal regulations and competitive practices.
• Implement HR policies: Develop and implement HR policies, offering continuous feedback to enhance processes and practices.
• Work flexibility and travel: Some remote work opportunities may be available, depending on operational needs. Additionally, periodic in-state travel may be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4 or more years of progressively responsible HR experience, including talent management, labor relations, and employee relations.
• Experience in unionized environments and interpreting civil service laws.
• Proven ability to use data to drive decision-making and manage change.
• A track record of mentoring staff and fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented culture.
• Experience with public-sector HR and employee wellness initiatives is a plus. 

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions, and successful candidates will be required to complete an I-9 form upon hire.

Why Join Our Team?
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you’ll be part of a workforce that embodies our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—providing 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 Fit: Take time for yourself with 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%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance: The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.62 annual value).
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes the equivalent of 18.88% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

Contact information:
Questions about this position should be directed to The Director of Organizational Development, via email Matthew.S.Dudley@Maine.Gov

Application Instructions:
Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one [HERE] or contact our office at 207-441-4512. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Secretary of State Office of Human Resources, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-624-9313. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

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 different 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.