Investigator

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Cannabis Control Commission Investigator conducts inspections and investigations of licensed marijuana establishments in the Commonwealth to ensure understanding and compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.  A significant component of this position includes visiting marijuana establishments across the Commonwealth and completing regulatory compliance inspections/audits targeting operational requirements, and may include specific cultivation product manufacturing and, retail requirements as pertains to the license type, as well as facility management requirements. Investigator(s) assist in the administration of the registration and licensing compliance process for marijuana establishments and individual registered marijuana establishment agents as defined in the regulations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts and reports about on-site inspections of marijuana establishments;
• Tracks compliance with all relevant laws and regulations through on-site visits, auditing, and inspection of records;
• Responds to inquiries from all the parties, constituents, and/or the public by providing outstanding customer service in a reasonable timeframe via on-site visits, telephone, email and/or other written correspondence; 
• Assists with ongoing documentation and implementation of Commission policies and procedures to reflect best practices in this new industry;
• Reviews policies, processes, and oversight of marijuana establishments to ensure compliance with the regulations (examples of specific policies may include: security policies; product safety policies, sanitation, and waste disposal policies). Conducts investigations in a reasonable time frame by developing investigative plans, gathering, verifying, analyzing, and reviewing documents relating to any investigation or inquiry pursuant to state law and regulations; Conducts investigative conferences, interviews witnesses, parties and requesting production of documents through request(s) for information;

• Reviews the implementation of marijuana establishment policies and procedures to ensure the security of the cultivation, processing and dispensing of marijuana;
• Reviews marijuana establishment processes and procedures for determining the placement and proper use of surveillance cameras and other security controls;
• Reviews standards and implementation for storage facilities regarding the use of lighting, ventilation, labeling, security procedures, access controls, etc.;
• Inspects procedures outlined in the marijuana establishment operational documents to ensure compliance with required seed-to-sale tracking;
• Reviews and assesses protocols for the testing of marijuana and marijuana products;
• Reviews all operational policies and procedures, such as: quality control, record keeping and reporting, staffing plans, human resources policies, staff training, business records for accounting administration and operations standards;
• Responds to rule violations, incidents, or complaints by issuing deficiency statements in a timely manner and evaluating and approving plans for corrective action;
• Drafts investigative memoranda and other reports;
• Represents Commission in administrative or court hearings related to non-compliance;
• Confers with parties to complaints to resolve issues and encourage compliance with established laws, rules, and regulations through settlement, where appropriate;
• Obtains evidence and establishes facts concerning non-compliance with laws, rules, and regulations regarding marijuana cultivation, processing, and distribution;
• Maintains thorough documentation of inspections and makes corrective action recommendations;
• Makes appropriate referrals and other legal issues arising from investigations to Enforcement Counsel in collaboration with the Director of Investigations;
• Summarizes and make appropriate recommendations by writing factually sound reports by applying relevant evidence and legal analysis;
• Complies with quality control procedures to ensure information is accurate and complete;
• Maintains a caseload and updated records in case management system.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain the highest standards of personal, professional and ethical conduct and support the Commission's goals for a diverse and culturally aware workforce;
• Maintains professional relationships with assigned agency personnel and various private, local, state and federal agencies;
• Makes relevant referrals to appropriate state, local and federal agencies;
• Communicates and, if assigned, works collaboratively with state and local agencies, including law enforcement and local boards of health;
• Responds to inquiries and complaints to provide information concerning medical use of marijuana and adult-use of marijuana laws, regulations, rules, and procedures;
• Performs related duties such as maintaining records, attending meetings, and preparing correspondence including emails and letters;
• Assists in determining compliance with applicable laws and standards and recommending enforcement actions and corrective measures;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle;
• Possesses a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License from Massachusetts or another state;
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds;
• Ability to use investigative techniques to obtain information;
• Ability to gather information from questioning individuals and observation;
• Ability to gather information by examining records and documents;
• Ability to maintain an in-depth knowledge of state statutes related to work performed and agency rules and regulations including 935 CMR 500.000;
• Ability to proficiently utilize MS Word, Excel, Outlook;
• Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence;
• Ability to work independently, as well as with teams;
• Experience or familiarity with administrative law and procedure;
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information;
• Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations;
• Ability to spend much of the workweek traveling to marijuana establishment locations throughout the Commonwealth.  Typical schedules may require occasional work on the weekends to conduct inspections. 
• Willingness to travel to and work in our Worcester headquarters.
• Approximately 60-70% of the time is spent in the field, out of the office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Extensive report writing experience required;
• Three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in investigatory or inspection work, or an equivalent or related field;

One or more of the following:

• • Experience with financial or fraud investigations, audits, forensic accounting, data finance data analysis;
  • CPA or CPE certification preferred;
  • Regulatory compliance experience in the food industry, including safety inspections related to food preparation;
  • Experience with building inspection, building code compliance, architectural review, or related inspections;
  • Regulatory compliance experience in the pharmaceutical industry;
  • Experience in the chemistry industry and public health;
  • Experience with agriculture, horticulture, farming, or hydroponic growing;
  •  Experience in analysis of laboratory tests; 

• • Experience in energy compliance; 
  • Knowledge of and ability to understand and explain independent laboratory tests of soil, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide type and use of fertilizers; and processes to implement best practices to limit contamination. 

SALARY RANGE: $70,000 - $80,000

Benefits Package:

The Commission is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees.  The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position classification, hours worked per week and other variables.  Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

This position is non-civil service.  This position is an exempt position.

The overall benefits available include: paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance, and optional pre-tax Health Savings Account plans.

In addition, the Commission provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long-term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission and pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.

The Commission employees also participate in the Commonwealth's State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from State service.  Follow this link for additional retirement information: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board-of-retire/.

Commitment to Diversity:

The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. 

Notice of Required Background Check - Including Tax Compliance:

The Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.

Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such background check is not initiated until:

1. A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and
2. The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.

This background check includes a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, Federal IRS, and Department of Revenue state tax compliance on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment. The Cannabis Control Commission reserves the right to conduct and or require a physical pre-employment screening, in addition to drug and alcohol testing at its sole discretion.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified.  Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted while completing a full background and qualification check.

Those candidates invited to interview will be contacted by the Commission.  Unfortunately, due to the anticipated high volume of applicants for this vacancy, we are unable to provide status updates to specific individuals.