September 3, 2024
AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Department of Corrections joined the U.S. Army PaYS program at a signing ceremony on September 3, 2024, in the Memorial Garden at Maine Correctional Center. The U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program is a strategic partnership between the U.S. Army and a cross section of private industry, academia, and businesses to include federal, state, and local agencies. The partnership memorandum of agreement between the U.S. Army and MDOC was signed by MDOC Commissioner Randall A. Liberty and Brigadier General Diane Dunne, Adjutant General, Maine Army National Guard, and Commissioner for the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. A reception followed where attendees from MDOC and the U.S. Army networked and discussed additional collaborative opportunities. Director of Culinary & Food Sustainability Krista Okerholm coordinated the reception, with Chef Carl Greeley and the culinary participants from Long Creek making whoopie pie travelers and chocolate truffles.
“Our involvement in this strategic partnership sends a clear message to those that serve and have served that we stand behind you and that we are ready to welcome you to the Maine Department of Corrections team,” said Commissioner Liberty in his remarks.
Veterans make up 21% of MDOC’s current workforce compared to 5.6% nationally.
The U.S. Army PaYS program assists active-duty soldiers in finding meaningful employment upon their discharge. Nationally, the program guarantees soldiers and ROTC cadets five job interviews and possible employment after their service in the U.S. Army. By becoming a partner, MDOC and our job opportunities are added to the ArmyPaYS program database for soldier job search activities. Maine State Law guarantees Veterans and Gold Star military spouses job interview opportunities when meeting the minimum qualifications of the job.
“I believe that each of us has a duty to assist in the transition of those coming off active duty and for those that serve as citizen Soldiers, always ready to answer the call to defend our national interests,” said Commissioner Liberty. “As we have witnessed, one of the most important ways that we can assist our Veterans is to provide them with the opportunity to provide for their families with meaningful jobs. Military Veterans are proven, reliable, trained, committed, have endured hardships, and have persevered. They are a tremendous asset to any organization, and we welcome them to our team.”
About MDOC Careers
- Post-Military Careers - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/veterans
- All Career Opportunities - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers
- Become a Correctional Officer - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/co
- Become a Juvenile Community Corrections Officer - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/jcco
- Become a Juvenile Program Worker - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/jpw
- Become a Probation Officer - https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/po