This position is required to work in the office at least 1 day per week. This may change based on business needs. 

Who we are

The mission of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is to promote public safety, public health 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.
Your opportunity at a glance

The WSLCB Enforcement and Education Division is announcing an exciting opportunity for a Chemist 4 position in Olympia, WA. This position acts as the Lead Chemist and will serve as the agency’s designated scientific expert and chemical specialist for matters relating to cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids.

This position is the first-line supervisor and reports directly to the Westside Captain of the Cannabis Unit. This position assigns schedules, evaluates, and conducts performance management of subordinate staff.

The position represents WSLCB as the agency’s lead member on the Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program (CLASP) Interagency Coordination Team, established to standardize cannabis lab requirements and testing.

WSLCB provides a modern work environment and excellent benefits including:

• A comprehensive benefits package (including but not limited to Medical/Dental/Vision, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance etc.)
• Paid Vacation, Leave, and Holidays
• Tuition Waiver (enrollment in courses at state universities/colleges on a space availability basis – all or a portion of the tuition/fees may be waived for state employees)
• Tuition reimbursement (courses taken with prior approval in order to further employee’s career development with the WSLCB)
• Training and career development programs (including online courses and LinkedIn Learning)
• A healthy work/life balance (this may include flexible/alternative work schedules and telework/remote work opportunities, when possible)
• Employee Assistance Program – confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public service employees
• Generous wellness program (we offer reimbursements for certain fitness related activities)
• Onsite exercise facility (for employees working at WSLCB Headquarter Building in Olympia)
• Infants at Work Program to promote parent and infant bonding, parental well-being and healthy infant development. Depending on your job duties, work location and supervisor approval, eligible employees who are new mothers, fathers or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when they return to work.
• Free parking

• Provides direction, advice, training, and assistance to the Chemists 2 and 3, and other staff within the enforcement division. Ensures chemists follow agency and division policies and procedures when performing their duties.
• Trains LCB chemists in the laboratory standards program requiring the regular and frequent review of evolving original chemical research; coordinate laboratory activities and gives technical assistance in areas of research planning and development of original techniques.
• Design and conduct training for LCB chemists for laboratory and product standards, agency processes and procedures, cannabis-specific testing methods, best practices, and other state cannabis laws, rules, and policies.
• Schedules chemists and reviews calendars to ensure adequate coverage of division responsibilities. Ensure accurate time and attendance weekly reports are submitted.
• Conducts performance management of subordinate staff. Provides expectations and evaluates staff, mentors, trains, counsels, and performs corrective and disciplinary action if needed.
• Evaluates chemists annually and ensure expectations are met.
• Investigates complaints from licensees, other agencies, and the public, regarding subordinate chemist conduct and behavior.
• Maintaining expert-level knowledge of the cannabis industry and compliance requirements under rule for such things as quality control testing and laboratory result reporting, traceability, record keeping, cannabis production, and processing methods, medical compliant products, allowable pesticides, soil amendments, destruction of waste, high-risk products, allowable hydrocarbons and other solvents, and professional grade closed-looped extraction systems.
• Maintaining a solid foundation in chemistry, sampling practices, and the ability to incorporate emerging research and study on cannabis testing methods, testing instrumentation, and all applicable laws and rules.
• Maintaining expert-level knowledge related to the Cannabis plant specialty area of testing and the hundreds of unique compounds, including flavonoids and cannabinoids.
• Maintain knowledge related to compounds produced by pyrolysis during smoking of Cannabis represented by different classes of chemicals including nitrogenous compounds, amino acids, hydrocarbons, sugars, terpenes, and simple fatty acids.
• Maintaining expert-level knowledge of all compounds and isomers outlined above and in applicable RCW and WAC as well as the chemistry of phytocannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids. Other natural constituents of the Cannabis plant including terpenes and terpenoids, polyphenolics, alkaloids, waxes and triglycerides, and important toxic contaminants.
• In collaboration with the Education Program, develops training curriculum, and educational documents, and delivers presentations to cannabis producers, processors, and retailers on laboratory and product testing standards, extraction methods, pesticides, fertilizers, and other general requirements.
• The position is responsible for researching, developing, and establishing cannabis analysis standards while participating in the Interagency Coordination Team (ICT) established to standardize cannabis lab requirements and testing.
• The Chemist 4 serves as LCB’s expert scientific and chemical specialist responsible for researching, developing, and establishing cannabis analysis standards for laboratory testing. Cannabis testing laboratory quality standards must include but are not limited to approved methods for testing cannabis for compliance with product standards established by the WSDA, DOH, and LCB rules; method validation protocols; and performance measures and criteria applied to testing of cannabis products.
• This position involves significant coordination and liaison with WSDA and DOH as well as other state agencies, federal agencies, and local governments. In addition, this position will coordinate with the Department of Ecology, which is the agency responsible for the accreditation of cannabis analysis labs to the standards established by the interagency team.

Ten years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory including at least one year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists, AND 30 Semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level chemistry.

OR

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry AND six years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory AND at least one year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists.

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

*This position requires a valid WA State Driver’s License
 

1. Completed online application.
2. Current Resume.
3. Letter of Interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for the position.
4. Three (3) 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 board and no employee of the 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.