Employment


Employment Resources for Veterans

State of Maine Job Opportunities

The State of Maine is an employer that is interested in employing more veterans who are qualified to perform the work of the State. Public Law 2015, Chapter 438 provides a preference for qualified veterans who apply for vacancies in classified State service by ensuring that they are offered an interview. In addition, in accordance with Executive Order 2016-002, if a veteran applies for a State job and is not ultimately hired for that job, it is the policy of the Bureau of Human Resources to provide guidance to that veteran on other State of Maine openings for which that veteran may be qualified to apply.

If you are a Veteran who has applied for a State job and were not selected, and you would like some guidance on State of Maine openings for which you may be qualified to apply, please contact the Bureau of Human Resources at (207) 624-7761 or visit our website at http://www.maine.gov/bhr.

Veteran Assistance at Maine’s Career Centers

All of Maine's Career Centers have staff whose sole purpose is to help veterans find jobs. As part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Services (VETS), each Career Center has a Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) representative and a Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER), who offer expert advice in translating military skills to civilian job descriptions, as well as provide general employment and training services to Maine's veterans.

Through the DVOP and LVER programs, veterans and eligible spouses are given priority for:

  • Job searching strategies and resources
  • Resume development assistance
  • Identification of training and educational opportunities
  • Help with applying for funding for training

To find a Career Center near you, please visit: Maine Career Centers.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services | Maine Department of Labor

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, also known as "VR," is a Department of Labor program that helps people who have disabilities to find and keep a job. VR helps people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

To be eligible you must:

  • have a disability that keeps you from getting or keeping a job; and
  • need VR services to find or keep a job.

Eligibility must be determined in 60 days, but it is usually done in a much shorter period of time.

How Do I Apply?

The VR Consumer Handbook provides a plain language explanation of the General VR Program for consumers.

Maine's Professional and Occupational Licensing Initiative

Maine's Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) leads an initiative in the State of Maine to streamline the licensing process for veterans. Individuals who have military experience and training and who wish to obtain an occupational license receive appropriate credit for their military training and experience. The program allows for quicker, easier licensing for veterans who have demonstrable military experience in various professional fields. OPOR has flexibility in evaluating and crediting military experience toward licensure and continuing education requirements, reducing the need for veterans to undergo duplicative and expensive training.

For more information, please visit: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/licensing/military

TOGUS Veteran Readiness and Employment Division

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) is the VA program that assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to achieve employment or enhance their ability to function independently at home and in the community.

   Location: Building 248, Room 205 at the Togus Regional Office
   Phone: 1-207-623-8411 ext. 4600
   Email: VRE.VBATOG@va.gov (please include your name and address)

Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Program

Prepare for your next mission by accessing services you may have earned under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) program and other VA training and career assistance programs. Make your move from military to civilian life a success and get the training you need to thrive in your next career. If you’re an employer, consider hiring our Veterans—they’ve got the strength, character, and skills that you’re looking for.

For more information, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vow/

Office of Veterans Business Development U.S. Small Business Administration

The mission of this office is to provide veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members with programs and services to start, grow and expand their small business.

For information about available resources, please visit: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-veterans-business-development

Maine JobLink

A State of Maine resource for job seekers to:

  • Explore Jobs: Use filters to find your dream job and save your search or apply right away.
  • Create Resumes: Upload your resume or make a new one from scratch with our resume wizard.
  • Find Education & Training: Discover state or federally funded training programs to enter a new career.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.joblink.maine.gov/

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Please click on the map below to be connected to the wealth of veteran employment resources in Maine, including dedicated veteran representatives at all of our CareerCenters, Maine's Hero2Hired program and Hire a Vet Campaign, and entrepreneurship services from the Small Business Administration.