New Staff Orientation and Training

Welcome to UMaine Extension New Staff Orientation and Onboarding!

We are thrilled that you’ve chosen UMaine Extension as your next career journey! We’ve put together a few resources to help you get settled in and look forward to connecting with you!

The following orientation videos, web pages, and training opportunities will help you get to know the organization, understand the employee experience and support we offer, and learn and reinforce customer service skills. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Assistant Director of Employee Engagement, Beth Hawkyard at beth.hawkyard@maine.edu or at 207.581.2892.

Video: Getting to Know University of Maine Cooperative Extension (YouTube)

Upcoming Training Programs

When you join Extension, you have a team of staff working behind the scenes to ensure you have the training, tools, and connections that will help you feel supported from the start. 

Within your first few days of employment, you’ll receive welcome emails from a couple staff, including Staff Coordinator, Amanda Hatley, and Assistant Director of Employee Engagement, Beth Hawkyard. Please read the details within these communications closely because they have timely and important information. 

All new staff will receive an email with information, a Zoom link (if applicable) and a calendar invitation from Administrative Specialist, Ella Glatter, prior to trainings. Please contact Ella with questions or to register: ella.glatter@maine.edu

Required Training

  • UMS Academy Employee Trainings (multiple modules, required within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter)
  • “HR Things to Know” video viewing and follow-up one-on-one with Beth (shared via welcome email)
  • “We All Have Customers” course completion offered by Amanda (via Brightspace)

2026 Orientation Dates

“New Employees on Campus!”
Wednesday, September 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (In-person)

This in-person session, hosted by Assistant Director of Employee Engagement, Beth Hawkyard and Staff Coordinator, Amanda Hatley, welcomes you to the main University campus in Orono (home to Extension’s Administrative offices) to connect with a cohort of fellow new employees and Dean Hannah Carter who provides an in-depth overview of Extension’s statewide impact, funding and operational practices. You’ll have a chance to explore helpful resources and iconic locations around campus. Additionally, tours of the Diagnostic Research Laboratory, Roger’s Farm Demonstration Garden, and the 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center, are scheduled the following day (*Lunch on the first day is provided for all attendees, lodging to attend the following day’s tours is provided to employees who are traveling 2+ hours to attend).

New Employee Onboarding Checklist

Please work through this Guide with your supervisor as you get familiarized with the onboarding steps.

Plugged In:

Visit and review topics relevant to your new position at UMaine Extension’s staff website, Plugged In. Click on each of the topics in the top navigation bar of this website to become familiar with the many areas covered in our staff site. Specifically, review the Policies & Procedures Manual and complete the training programs listed above.

To obtain information about the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, please visit the public UMaine Extension website.