MCJA Assistant Director - Anticipated Vacancy

Department of Public Safety

Job Class Code: 7100
Grade: 28/Supervisory
Salary: $63,689.60-$90,438.40/Annually
Location: Vassalboro

Opening Date: June 26, 2025

Closing Date:  July 14, 2025

If you are an experienced leader who enjoys developing and implementing staff training programs, we have an exciting opportunity for you! We are currently seeking an Assistant Director to work alongside our Director and team at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The successful candidate will assist in administering and coordinating staff training for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA). As the 2nd-in-command in the absence of the Director, this role offers a unique leadership experience that involves overseeing 6 Training Coordinators, a Department of Corrections Liason, and a Clerical Supervisor. In addition to developing and evaluating staff training programs, our Assistant Director will also analyze departmental needs, evaluate training reports, and work with various community resources. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in public administration, Human Resource Management, Education, or a related field, along with four years of experience in personnel administration or staff development training. If you are passionate about making a positive impact and take pleasure in the development of others, apply today!

The Maine Criminal Justice Academy is a division of the Maine Department of Public Safety and is the state agency responsible for the training and certification of all criminal justice personnel in the state’s 152 law enforcement agencies and 21 correctional agencies. This includes the following approximately 5000 certificate holders in law enforcement and corrections agencies. The Academy is centrally located in the state on 105 acres of land in the town of Vassalboro. The Academy’s main building complex is comprised of 4 interconnected buildings:

1.  A-Building houses billets and training areas for the Academy’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP). 


2.  B-Building houses MCJA administration and academic classrooms. 


3.  C-Building houses the Academy’s dining services on the first floor while the second and third floors are billet space for in-service course offerings agencies to send staff for training.


4. D-Building is a 19,000 square foot Tactical Training Center with an indoor running track. Physical fitness training and testing is conducted here as well as practical skills, scenario-based training, and program graduations.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Analyzes and researches departmental training needs to develop staff development programs.


• Determines scope of activity, methods of implementation, and expected results to improve existing programs and/or develop new training programs.


• Works with Microsoft Office and other computer records management training programs daily and must be proficient with these programs.


• Examines and evaluates community, college, and university resources to determine resources available to meet departmental training needs.


• Examines and evaluates training reports and fiscal statements to determine program status and keep supervisor informed.


• Coordinates and consults with program directors and other staff to plan and implement in-service education programs.


• Plans, organizes, assigns, and directs work activities of subordinate staff to facilitate the attainment of established work goals and objectives and ensure consistent application of technical policies, procedures, and guidelines.


• Confers with and counsels' subordinate staff in order to exchange information; explain work policies, procedures, and guidelines; identify work-related problems; and formulate possible solutions.


• Implements and complies with human resource laws, policies, procedures and practices such as: AA/EEO, recruitment, employment, position classification, performance appraisals, training, discipline, contract administration, human resource components of security protocols of agency information security and confidentiality policies, and employee safety.


• Track building operations and projects to deconflict activities and plan for future training sessions and activities.


• Review upcoming legislative and statutory changes for program changes.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Excellent written and verbal skills.


• Excellent computer/technology skills


• Excellent supervisory and leadership skill

Minimum qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree in Public Administration, Human Resource Management, Education, or related field and four (4) years experience in personnel administration and/or the development and implementation of staff development training.  Equivalent directly related experience may be substituted for education.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Masters Degree preferred

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to  Director Lincoln Ryder [email protected] 207-877-8008

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.