Program Specialist 1 (Cannabis) - VID

Program Specialist 1 (Cannabis)

Reporting to a Program Specialist 2 (Cannabis), the Program Specialist 1 (Cannabis) position will be responsible for inspecting, auditing, researching, evaluating, and performing a full range of compliance duties for the regional area they are assigned to. The Program Specialist 1 (Cannabis) position will primarily perform audits to ensure adherence to program regulations, develop guidance documents, prepare statement of findings, and any other duties to ensure licensees are complying with public health and safety best practices. The Program Specialist 1 (Cannabis) may also research and evaluate cannabis products and testing results, administration methods to ensure consumer safety, and compliance with regulations for medical, adult-use, and cannabinoid hemp. The incumbent may also perform inspections of applicants and licensee physical facilities.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with staff in the review of licensee information and track and analyze data from licensed entities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws regulations, policies and procedures.
• Review testing reports and assist in managing and tracking cannabis recalls, quarantines, and product remediations.
• Respond to inquiries from applicants, licensed entities and stakeholders reporting complaints or seeking agency assistance.
• Review incoming data, including adverse events, dispensing data, and inventory and sales data to assess compliance or respond to inquiries reported to the agency.
• Review and research licensee information.
• Assist with completion of on-site inspection reports and findings after inspection completed.
• Assist with drafting responses to FAQs and knowledge-based language for shared mailbox responses.
• Compile information to be shared with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve on a team conducting inspections of licensed entities to monitor compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Evaluate licensee standard operating procedures, including environmental impact of cannabis cultivation methods, manufacturing and extraction methods for cannabis processing, product labeling, packaging, and advertising for cannabis products.
• May perform the full range of supervisory responsibilities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Six years of experience where your major job responsibilities included one of the following: accounting and auditing; investigating or inspecting regulated entities and facilities; interpreting and explaining policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals; policy analysis and research; surveillance; quality assurance that included evaluating whether projects met or are meeting requirements that included risk assessment; providing professional level economic development products or services; community outreach which included vulnerable populations; negotiating or approving contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other administrative control processes.

Substitution: An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.

Additional Comments:

NOTE:

• Travel may be required (approximately 10%), including during evening and weekends, depending on mission and assignment.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver's License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is required or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job.

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants for all communities to apply. For a full version of OCM's EEO/AA statement and benefits of joining OCM, please visit: About | Office of Cannabis Management (ny.gov). NYS Office of Cannabis Management does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.