Job Description

Consumer Protection Inspector

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Quality Assurance and Regulations, is recruiting to fill the position of Consumer Protection Inspector in Augusta, Kennebec County, & surrounding area.

Opening Date: May 06, 2026

Closing Date: End of day May 27, 2026

Location: Augusta, Kennebec County & surrounding area

Position Number: 00500-0732

Position Type: Permanent Full Time

Class Code: 9103

Grade: 23 (Professional/Technical Unit)

Salary: $49,275.20 - $69,139.20 Per Year

Interested candidates need to complete an online Direct Hire Application along with a Cover Letter, and a detailed Resume.

Brief Job Description: This position will perform inspections of retail food stores, food processors, food storage warehouses, and home food processors, conducting sanitation and public health inspections. This position may also perform inspections of weighing and measuring devices, package checking and method of sale, dairy farm and milk processing operations, and other inspections as required and set forth by State rules, regulations, and division policy. The applicant must be able to gather information, interpret regulations, assess findings to determine non-compliance and write non-compliance records in an accurate, descriptive, and precise manner. Food safety training, knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP), microbiology, and computer literacy are a plus. Good personal hygiene and sanitation habits are expected. Some statewide travel is required.

For questions specific to the position, please contact Benjamin Metcalf at: (207) 287-4979 or Benjamin.Metcalf@maine.gov

Minimum Qualifications: Four (4) years of education, training, and/or experience in the field of microbiology, agricultural science, food science, applied mechanics, regulatory/law enforcement, or weights & measures.

Special Requirements of the Position: Must be willing to attend out-of-state training. Must successfully complete all training with a passing grade. Must be willing to work a schedule that may include holidays and scheduled days off as necessary. Must be willing to perform relief inspections statewide. The successful applicant must have a valid driver's license, as CPI inspectors use state vehicles to perform inspections. Competency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) products is required.

Licensing/Registration/Certification Requirements: (These must be met by all employees after hire but prior to attaining permanent status in this class): Federal (USDA)/State Inspector License for the products being inspected.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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 Balance – 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%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 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.
• 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 ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to 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 is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

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.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.

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