Licensing Specialist

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Commission seeks to hire Licensing Specialist(s) in the Investigations and Enforcement Department. Under the direction of the Licensing Manager, the Licensing Specialist(s) will assist in a variety of tasks relating to the licensing process. The Licensing Specialist(s) will also provide technical support to staff, licensees, applicants, and inquirers on the licensing process and application portal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide licensing support, including being responsible for all administrative tasks associated with the Commission’s electronic licensing system;
• Evaluating applications for licensure submitted to the Commission to ensure that the submission of information is accurate and compliant;
• Participate in on-site inspections, when needed, to ensure that marijuana establishments, medical marijuana treatment centers, and registered agents are following applicable laws, regulations, and policies;
• Participate in minimizing bias in the application and licensing process;
• Assist in enforcing the collection of licensing fees and timely reporting of the same;
• Assist in the drafting of Investigations and Enforcement Department reports;
• Respond to inquiries about licensing and compliance;
• Support Commission staff in responding to general inquiries;
• Represent the Commission effectively in interactions with marijuana establishments and medical marijuana treatment center applicants, licensees, registrants, municipalities, and the public; and
• Representing the Licensing team at meetings when necessary.

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;
• Ability to meet expectations and accept personal responsibility for all assigned work;
• Ability to work in a confidential manner and to handle sensitive information;
• Willingness to travel throughout the Commonwealth;
• Ability to think creatively, build constructive working relationships, and resolve issues;
• Coordinating application work with other staff as needed; and
• Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Outstanding organizational skills, which includes the ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks under time constraints and with available resources;
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; must be able to interact with people at all levels within the Commission, with the entities regulated by the Commission, outside counsel, outside vendors, and members of the public;
• Ability to work productively, independently, and creatively in an evolving environment;
• Must demonstrate a proficiency with computers and the MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to set up mail merges and pivot tables;
• Willingness to learn state and Commission-specific information technology systems;
• Must demonstrate attention to detail
• Ability to work in Commission's Worcester headquarters; and
• Able to contribute actively to a work environment that embraces diversity.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Paralegal Certificate, Associates Degree, or equivalent experience. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years working in a high-volume atmosphere coordinating work at a non-profit, corporation, or government agency.
• Experience reviewing complex documents for accuracy and compliance purposes.

SALARY RANGE: $52,000 - $65,000

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:

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.

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.