Job Description

WSLCB Vision
Safe communities for Washington State.

Mission
Promote public safety and trust through fair administration, education and enforcement of liquor, tobacco, cannabis and vapor laws.

**This recruitment is open until filled. First review of applications will be May 23, 2023. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.**

Who we are 

The mission of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is to promote public safety and trust through fair administration, education and enforcement of liquor, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor laws. We search for people who demonstrate a strong work ethic, excellence in customer service, partnering and teamwork, and quality performance.

We want to create a culture that fosters excellence in customer service, open and honest communication, transparency and accountability, data driven decisions, and business-initiated process improvement.

Our commitment to DEIB

The WSLCB strives to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in all aspects of our work. This includes a commitment to our workforce and external stakeholders.

It is our mission to build, educate, and inspire an inclusive environment that recognizes, respects, and celebrates diversity in the workplace and in the community we serve. We are committed to maintaining a thriving culture where employees and those we serve feel safe and accepted regardless of education, background, or beliefs. As a WSLCB team member, you will have opportunity to join statewide business resource groups (BRGs) such as, Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network, Veteran Employee Resource Group, Latino Leadership Network, Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity, Disability Inclusion Network, Washington Immigrant Network and Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowerment Network.

The WSLCB Enforcement and Education Division is announcing an exciting opportunity for a Chemist 3 position in Olympia, WA. This position acts as a liaison between WSLCB and cannabis producers and processors, and other state agencies on non-licensing, financial, and enforcement issues. The position acts as a subject matter expert in certain aspects of the cannabis industry and I-502 regulatory structure, acting as a resource on understanding cannabis production and specified compliance requirements under rule, including traceability reporting, medical compliant products, quality assurance testing, package and labeling, record keeping, security requirements, allowable pesticides, soil amendments, fertilizers, other crop production aids, and destruction of waste. The position also acts as the subject matter expert for the reporting system and conducts data analysis and forensics to assist with research, financial analysis, and enforcement.

Knowledge of: inorganic, organic, and analytical chemistry; physical chemistry related to modern analytical instrumentation; research methods in micro-chemistry; research report writing; activities planning and fiscal aspects of laboratory management; principles of good supervision.

Ability to: plan large-scale chemical studies, including instrumentation and workforce utilization; supervise and train chemists in a laboratory setting; present technical information clearly, both orally and in writing; deal effectively with representatives of other agencies and businesses at an administrative level; use the traceability system to analyze and report on laboratory and quality control data; use the Pesticide Information Center OnLine (PICOL) Database; use the WSDA Fertilizer Product Database.

The position will support ongoing work and partnerships with other state agencies.

WSLCB provides a modern work environment and excellent benefits including:

• Training and career development programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible work schedules
• Telecommuting opportunities
• Generous wellness program
• Onsite exercise facility
• Active and engaging diversity program
• Infant at Work program
• Organization’s commitment to your personal health and well-being.
• Work/life balance
• Free parking
• A comprehensive benefits package

Duties

Some of the duties you will perform are: 

• Serves as the designated specialist and maintains specialist knowledge of the cannabis industry processes, product testing requirements, compliance requirements under rule and law, and testing standard best practices.
• Participates in the formulation of state-wide policy and rules regarding cannabis testing standards, chemical research, and chemical investigative functions; evaluates needs and feasibility of initiating or expanding, reducing, or eliminating significant portions of the laboratory standards program; effectively recommends changes indicated.
• Review laboratory results obtained, and checks research and testing reports for justification of conclusions and resolution of the problems for which the study or testing was conducted.
• Participates in interagency and interstate committees and within a general framework supports the Board’s role in those engagements.
• Meets with LCB staff, other state agencies, and stakeholder partners to discuss laboratory findings and interpretations, and to discuss the needs for proposed chemical investigations.
• Travel, general administrative/clerical duties, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level chemistry AND four (4) years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as a Chemist 2.

NOTE: A Master’s degree will substitute for two years of the required experience or a Ph.D. degree will substitute for three years of the required experience provided a Bachelor’s degree and the required college-level chemistry have been achieved.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in chemistry or a directly related field and two or more years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations or a comparable combination of graduate education and experience.
• Two (2) or more years of data analysis experience, including but not limited to: descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, modeling, data forensics, and forecasting.
• Experience with auditing and the associated accreditation systems of analytical chemistry laboratories.
• Experience working in a liaison capacity representing an organization and working with a diverse group of other government and private organizations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships within and outside the WSLCB. Ability to speak publicly, prepare and give presentations, and conduct training.
• General knowledge of the cannabis industry at the producer, processor, and retail levels. General knowledge of I-502 and requirements in rule for traceability, quality assurance testing, packaging, processing plant material into extracts and infused products, and pesticides. General knowledge of chapters 69.50 and 69.51A RCW, and 314-55 WAC. General knowledge of the medical cannabis industry, WAC 246-70, SB 5052, and HB 2136.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely in a team environment across divisions and with external agencies to implement new legislation.
• Experience researching complex issues, including delivering verbal and/or written reports on findings in a thorough and concise manner.

Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced skills and demonstrated experience in data analysis. Experience working with databases, including writing queries. Advanced skills in Excel, including the ability to summarize and create charts and reports from data.
• Ability to write clear and concise brief summaries and reports for executive leaders.
• Ability to deliver exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex data and present results in a manner that is appropriate to your audience.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and explain a wide range of complex documents, policies, rules, and laws relating to the cannabis industry and regulatory system.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Special Requirements:

• Willingness to enter cannabis production, processing, research retail, and certified laboratories by themselves.
• Willingness and ability to wear agency-issued personal protective equipment (PPE) while assisting with premises checks.

Supplemental Information

1. Completed online application.
2. Current Resume.
3. Letter of Interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for the position.
4. Three professional references to include a current or recent supervisor with email addresses and phone numbers.

**A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.

The information provided in your application and supplemental questionnaire must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Other
Applicants for employment with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board should also be aware of RCW 66.08.080, which states in part: “No employee of the board shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of liquor sold under this title, or derive any profit or remuneration from the sale of liquor, other than the salary or wages payable to him in respect of his office or position, and shall receive no gratuity from any person in connection with such business.

RCW 69.50.351, no member of the state liquor and cannabis board and no employee of the state liquor and cannabis board shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the producing, processing, or sale of cannabis, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products, or derive any profit or remuneration from the sale of cannabis, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products other than the salary or wages payable to him or her in respect of his or her office or position, and shall receive no gratuity from any person in connection with the business.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers with diverse backgrounds. Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.  You are welcome to include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email hr****@lc*.gov or call (360) 664.1674. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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