Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (and Boards) - Bureau of Financial Institutions
Job Class Code: 2016
Grade: 31 (Professional/Technical)
Salary: $67,038.40 - $94,515.20/Annually
Location: Gardiner, ME
Opening Date: November 8, 2024
Closing Date: November 25, 2024

The Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions is an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and seeks to fill an Attorney position. The Bureau is the primary regulator of 39 state-chartered financial institutions that include banks, credit unions and nondepository trust companies.  The Attorney provides professional legal services to the Bureau of Financial Institutions under the direction and under the supervision of a Deputy Superintendent.  Responsibilities include advice and consultation to, and representation of the Bureau on legal matters, regulatory matters, legislative matters, and consumer-related matters.  Position is primarily office based with some remote opportunities.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Counsels and advises the Superintendent and professional staff on legal matters pertaining to the execution of their administrative responsibilities.
• Responds to legal inquiries regarding interpretation of the Maine Banking Code, the Maine Consumer Credit Code, Fair Debt Collection Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and works with an Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Bureau to develop interpretations and provide recommendations.
• Supports the Bureau’s Consumer Outreach staff by providing legal interpretations and review regarding consumer complaints.  The Attorney mediates the most complex complaints or refers complaints requiring legal action and/or criminal investigation to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Monitors and tracks developments in federal banking and credit union law and other law; confers with and advises senior agency staff with respect to the impact of such developments on the agency and the execution of its administrative duties; and provides recommendations for changes in laws, regulations, and policies to effectively address external legal developments.
• Drafts legislation, rules, and interpretive Bulletins.
• Assists Deputy Superintendent in monitoring legislation and preparing or delivering legislative testimony.
• Monitors the Bureau’s rule-making procedures to assure that the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act are met.
• Interacts with the legal staff of the federal banking agencies to coordinate action and seek advice, as necessary.
• Reviews and interprets agreements and other legal documents utilized by the Bureau of Financial Institutions, consulting with the Office of the Attorney General, as necessary.
• Assists in the development of the Bureau’s Annual Report to the Legislature.

Minimum qualifications:

A Law degree from an accredited law school.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain III at 207-624-8570 or Lloyd.P.LaFountain.III@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.  In order 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 https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700.  Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME  04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018.  Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included.  Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.  

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 Fit – 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%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 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. 
• 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 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.09% for Confidential employees. 

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 lived experience and passion set you apart.