Program Specialist ; Cannabis; NY HELPS – VID

duties description reporting to a program specialist 2 (cannabis), the program specialist 1 (cannabis) position will be responsible for inspecting, auditing, researching, evaluating, and performing a full range of compliance duties for the regional area they are assigned to. The program specialist 1 (cannabis) position will primarily perform audits to ensure adherence to program regulations, develop guidance documents, prepare statement of findings, and any other duties to ensure licensees are complying with public health and safety best practices.

The program specialist 1 may also research and evaluate cannabis products and testing results, administration methods to ensure consumer safety, and compliance with regulations for medical, adult-use, and cannabinoid hemp. Incumbent may also perform inspections of applicant and licensee physical facilities.
duties include, but are not limited to:

• collaborate with staff in the review of licensee information and track and analyze data from licensed entities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws regulations, policies, and procedures.
• review testing reports and assist in managing and tracking cannabis recalls, quarantines, and product remediations.
• respond to inquiries from applicants, licensed entities, and stakeholders reporting complaints or seeking agency assistance.
• review incoming data, including adverse events, dispensing data, and inventory and sales data to assess compliance or respond to inquiries reported to the agency.
• review and research licensee information.
• assist with completion of on-site inspection reports and findings after inspections are completed.
• assist with drafting responses to faqs and knowledge-based language for shared mailbox responses.
• compile information to be shared with both internal and external stakeholders.
• serve on a team conducting inspections of licensed entities to monitor compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• evaluate licensee standard operating procedures, including environmental impact of cannabis cultivation methods, manufacturing and extraction methods for cannabis processing, product labeling, packaging, and advertising for cannabis products.
• may perform the full range of supervisory responsibilities.

minimum qualifications this title is part of the new york hiring for emergency limited placement statewide program (ny helps)
* and applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for this position:this title includes a traineeship opportunity and applicants will be appointed to the appropriate level
** based on their experience and education.required experience: experience where your major job responsibilities included one of the following: accounting and auditing; investigating and/or inspecting regulated entities and facilities; interpreting and explaining policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals; policy analysis and research; surveillance; quality assurance that included evaluating whether projects met/are meeting requirements that included risk assessment;

providing professional level economic development products or services; community outreach which included vulnerable populations; negotiating and/or approving contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other administrative control processes. A juris doctor, master’s or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
** program specialist 1 cannabis level requirements:

• program specialist trainee 1 cannabis (equated to sg-14): bachelor or higher degree.
• program specialist trainee 2 cannabis (equated to sg-16): bachelor or higher degree and one year of required experience.
• program specialist 1 cannabis, sg-18: bachelor or higher degree and two years of required experience.

applicants may also be appointed to this position if currently reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title or are a current new york state employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service in a position and eligible for transfer under section 52.6 of the civil…