The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is the agency responsible for regulating the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in Oregon by administering the state’s Liquor Control Act and regulating the sale of recreational marijuana in Oregon through the Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act.
The agency is comprised of three major operational programs; the Distilled Spirits Program, the Recreational Marijuana Program, and the Public Safety Program. All three programs are supported by the Administration, Financial Services, and Support Services divisions. Revenue generated from these programs helps support state and local government programs.
The Distilled Spirits Program oversees the distribution and sale of distilled spirits in the state. The Distilled Spirits division centrally purchases, warehouses and distributes distilled spirits to Oregon’s independently operated liquor stores. OLCC’s Public Safety Program licenses and regulates businesses in the alcohol industry such as manufacturers, wholesalers, bars, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores.
The Recreational Marijuana Program is exclusively authorized to make recreational marijuana available to consumers and licensed businesses through retail marijuana stores. The program also tracks the growing, transporting, processing and selling of recreational marijuana products. The Public Safety Program is responsible for licensing and regulating the operation of the recreational marijuana industry in Oregon.
The Marijuana Compliance Specialist positions assure that licensees lawfully grow, transport, process and sell recreational marijuana products. This position requires the exercise of discretion since the work often involves cases that are controversial and sensitive in nature because of widespread critical public opinion about issues such as neighborhood impact, drug and alcohol abuse, and organized crime.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Marijuana Compliance Specialist performs site surveys and investigations of recreational marijuana producers (growers), processors, wholesalers, retailers, and laboratories to assess and provide consultation on compliance with state laws and rules that govern marijuana businesses.
Site Surveys and Investigations
Conducts site surveys and investigations of Oregon marijuana licensed businesses to assure compliance with state laws and rules.
Collects, analyzes, and interprets licensee’s business records and other records or technical reports.
Uses a radio frequency scanner to collect and record licensed premises marijuana inventory as needed. Compares scanned inventory data with recorded inventory in seed-to-sale application to detect and assess shortages/overages in product quantities. Analyzes and reconciles financial and tax data from the application and reports. Reviews discrepancies with licensee to determine whether an investigation is in order.
Documents site survey and investigation findings in narrative reports.
Inspects production areas and plants or products for contaminants. Obtains and submits samples of product to be tested by third party laboratory.
Reviews product labels for conformance to labeling requirement.
Determines the validity of complaints of marijuana law violations by talking with complainant, licensee, witnesses (in person and over the phone); observing at the licensed business; and reviewing the compliance history of the business.
Plans and conducts minor decoy operations with other law enforcement agencies or program staff. Recruits and trains minor decoys. Accompanies decoys into licensed businesses while purchases are made.
Gathers, controls, and secures evidence according to procedures to preserve the integrity and chain-of-custody.
Consultation
Provides licensees with consultative assistance by educating or training on regulatory requirements and developing strategies for achieving compliance with rule and law such as implementing operational changes to the business. Follows up with licensees to ensure full compliance with requirements.
Interprets regulatory requirements, analyzes facts and applies policy and standards to decide appropriate action to gain compliance from licensee.
May issue citations to gain compliance, depending on the nature of the violations, the facilities’ history and past corrective action plans, and other information obtained during site survey or investigation.
May place facilities on probation with re-licensing contingent upon meeting conditions of corrective plans. Transmits documentation of conditions to be met to achieve compliance and regain full certification. Tracks and monitors facilities that have been placed on probation.
Prepares and presents documents needed for contested case hearings. Testifies on behalf of the Commission at administrative law hearings or in court.
Other
Adopts the attitude that the agency is a learning organization capable of change. Encourages colleagues and program partners to respond to performance or compliance problems as opportunities for process and quality improvement.
Communicates with people of diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in a way that is sensitive to diversity.
Recommends new policy and proposed or revised administrative rules to better serve the public, law enforcement community, marijuana industry, and government and special interest groups.
Uses knowledge, best practices, and new technology to inform program operations and increase productivity and efficiency.
Collaborates with the Criminal Investigator and law enforcement agencies by reporting licensee compliance history and suspected illegal activity. Prepares and presents licensee information and documentation to law enforcement as required.
Working Conditions: This position involves extensive day-time field work which requires driving a Commission vehicle, sometimes in inclement weather. Field work may require walking considerable distances, on uneven surfaces, in the outdoors, in proximity to marijuana, with exposure to inclement weather conditions. There may be exposure to pesticides and fertilizers. Frequent use of personal computer, communication equipment, and a hand-held scanner. May be subject to call back after regular hours. Occasional travel and overnight stays away from home. Occasional work under disagreeable conditions (e.g. dealing with members of the public who violate marijuana law) and encounters with hostile or combative people (e.g. displeased owners or staff). Occasionally lifting of objects weighing 5-20 lbs (unlicensed marijuana product as evidence, etc.). Works with minimum supervision, conferring with supervisor as needed.
Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position you must have:
Three years of recent (within the last 10 years) experience conducting investigations of allegations, facts, behaviors, documents, laws, legal precedents, and/or other information. This experience must have included preparing written reports using individual judgment in developing conclusions or recommendations that are subject to review in court, administrative hearings, or a comparable formal review process.
Note: In order to qualify your investigative work experience must match the above description, and this must be clearly described on your application. Review the above Minimum Qualifications carefully and be sure to answer the Supplemental Questions accurately. If your qualifying experience was in a part-time position you should be sure to pro-rate this experience, e.g., 2 years working in a half-time position would equal 1 year of full-time experience.
Some examples of experience that may qualify are: regulatory compliance investigation; criminal investigation; child welfare investigation or eligibility determination; governmental benefit, business or mail fraud investigation; revenue audits; insurance claims or fraud investigation; etc. Examples of experience that generally does not qualify are traffic or security patrol work, or correctional officer work.
A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law, education, training, psychology, sociology, journalism, business or public administration, or a closely related field will substitute for two years of experience. An Associate’s degree in the above fields, e.g., criminal justice, law (paralegal) etc., will substitute for one year of experience, OR a Bachelor’s degree in any recognized field of study will substitute for one year of experience.
Important: If using college education to help meet the Minimum Qualifications you must attach a copy of your transcripts to your application.
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:
The ideal candidate will also have a background in the following areas:
General knowledge of basic accounting practices in order to assess business records.
Knowledge of national, state, and local laws and standards regarding recreational marijuana.
Ability to balance and communicate technical, social and economic issues and interests.
Ability to testify in legal and court proceedings.
Ability to solve complex problems within the limitation of statute and rule.
Ability to perform research independently, analyze and interpret information to resolve problems and complaints and make independent decisions based on in-depth professional experience.
Embraces and fosters diversity and multi-culturalism in the workplace.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Upon hire and throughout employment, the Regulatory Specialist must obtain and maintain Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) certification as a Liquor Enforcement Inspector. Requirements for certification include:
Age: Regulatory Specialists must be 21 years of age at the time of employment.
Citizenship: Regulatory Specialists must be a US Citizen within 18 months of employment.
Criminal History: OLCC will conduct a personal background investigation prior to any offer of employment. This includes a computerized criminal history check and being fingerprinted for purposes of a nationwide criminal history check. Any history of criminal activity will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or termination of employment as applicable. Regulatory Specialists must notify the OLCC within 72 hours of any conviction of a crime.
Moral Fitness: During the background investigation the OLCC will assess an applicant’s moral fitness. Regulatory Specialists must continue to be of good moral fitness to maintain employment. Lack of moral fitness includes discretionary and mandatory misconduct. Regulatory Specialists must also subscribe to and abide by the Criminal Justice Code of Ethics.
Education: Upon a conditional offer of employment, Regulatory Specialists must furnish documentary evidence of a high school diploma, successful completion of a GED test or a four-year, post-secondary degree issued by an accredited, degree granting college or university. Regulatory Specialists will also be required to successfully complete a basic skills proficiency assessment administered by the OLCC.
Physical Capacity: Upon a conditional offer of employment, Regulatory Specialists will be examined by a licensed physician to ensure minimum physical standards are met. The physician, date, and time of examination will be selected by the OLCC. Regulatory Specialists unable to meet the physical capacity requirements of the position will not continue employment.
Training Academy: Regulatory Specialists are required to successfully complete the DPSST Liquor Inspector Training Academy when scheduled by the OLCC. The academy is currently six weeks long, at the DPSST training facility in Salem, and attendees are expected to stay at the facility for the duration of the training, except on weekends. Academy coursework includes defensive tactics training which is highly strenuous. Regulatory Specialists unable to attend or successfully complete the training academy will not continue employment.
Initial Training: In addition to the six week DPSST Academy, Regulatory Specialists will work from the Portland/Milwaukie headquarters for up to eight weeks prior to working at a regional office.
First Aid and CPR: Regulatory Specialists must obtain and maintain a valid first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card. The OLCC will provide first aid and CPR training to Inspectors.
Additional Information
To Apply: Follow the “Apply” link above and complete the State of Oregon Employment Application on-line. Due to the high volume of recruitments and applications received, we ask that you not contact us to request a status update. Every applicant will receive notification after the applications have been screened. We recommend that you print out this job posting for future reference because once the position closes, it will no longer appear on our site.
Change of Email Address: Feel free to contact us if your contact information has changed. Indicate which job postings are affected so that we can update your application(s). You will also want to update your Master Profile in www.governmentjobs.com.
Only completed applications will be accepted: We require that you complete all the blank fields and provide complete addresses, phone numbers, supervisor names/titles, etc. for employers. Please be specific under job duties–we use this information to screen. Do not write, “see resume.” Resumes and cover letters are not reviewed to meet minimum qualifications unless requested in the job posting.
College transcripts: Some positions require a college degree; others allow for a combination of experience and education. Even if you feel you have enough work experience, if you want to improve your chances of meeting the minimum qualifications, we recommend that you attach college transcripts (an unofficial copy is acceptable during the recruitment phase). If you have not completed your degree, you can still attach your transcripts and indicate the number of college units completed.
If you are an eligible veteran and wish to claim veterans’ preference points AND you also meet the minimum qualifications for this position, the points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:
> A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; OR A letter from the US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension for the five (5) point preference.
> A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; AND a copy of your veterans’ disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.
If you have a disability and need an alternative format to complete the application please call 503-872-5154 to advise us about the format needed. TTY users please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900.
If you have questions about the recruitment and selection process contact HR Analyst Carrie Adams at 503-872-5154.
E-mail Alerts and Job Interest Cards for Future Job Opportunities: If you wish to be notified of future job postings, you can select the following:
> For Oregon Liquor Control Commission Only: www.oregon.gov/OLCC, (on right side, click: ) Get E-mail Alerts, (then click: ) “Click Here”, then enter Email address, then enter Password. It will take you to a page where you can select from a variety of Alert topics from the OLCC.
> For State of Oregon postings on NEOGOV: www.oregonjobs.org (click in center: ) “Look for Jobs,” (click in center: ) “Job Interest Cards” (complete and submit the form). On this site, there is also useful applicant information, FAQs, and you can search for jobs.
THE OREGON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO WORK FORCE DIVERSITY
A career with Oregon state government offers MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available for employees. Actual benefits received may differ by position or branch of government or be prorated for other than full time work. Core BenefitsComprehensive medical (with vision) and dental plans and $5,000 in employee basic life insuranceEmployer typically contributes 95% of premium for coverage of employees and dependents Optional Insurance BenefitsGroup-based premiums for· Term life (employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependents)Long-term and short-term disabilityAccidental Death and DismembermentLong-term care (self and eligible family members) Flexible Spending AccountsEmployee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses Retirement BenefitsMembership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) Six percent employer paid contribution into a defined contribution programEmployer contribution into a defined benefit programOption to enroll in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program offering a wide variety of investment optionsPaid Leaves & Other BenefitsSick leave earned at the rate of 8 hours per month with no maximum accumulationVacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month with accrual rate increases at 5-year increments24 hours personal leave earned each fiscal yearTen paid holidays a yearInnovative Employee Assistance Program that offers work-life counseling, along with homeowner, legal and family resources
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