The Compliance Officer for the Medical Use of Marijuana Program (Program) conducts inspections, investigations, and surveillance of Registered Marijuana Dispensaries (RMDs) in Massachusetts to ensure RMDs have the required systems and understanding to comply with all laws, rules and regulations. A significant percentage of the work includes on-site visits to RMD’s across the state. This position is responsible for conducting and thoroughly documenting regulatory compliance inspections/audits, including: operations, cultivation and processing requirements, dispensing requirements and facility management requirements. The Compliance Officer serves as a resource providing technical assistance to RMD operators in developing proper systems and processes to ensure compliance with all the rules and regulations. Finally, the Compliance Officer coordinates with RMDs regarding product testing protocols and testing results.
This is a highly specialized position and the successful candidate will have understanding, knowledge or expertise in:
- Investigations;
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Regulatory compliance;
- Farming, horticulture, agricultural science;
- Food safety and sanitation;
- Environmental science and/or related scientific field.
Working Conditions-approximately 60-70% of time is out of the office:
- Compliance Officers spend a majority of their work week traveling to dispensary, cultivation and processing locations throughout the state.
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Typical schedules may require occasional work on the weekends to conduct weekend inspections.
- Compliance Officers will have access to a typical office environment to draft and maintain paperwork and to receive support and oversight from a supervisor.
Please Note:
- In accordance with St. 2017, c.55, the Program, including this position, will be transferred to the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) on or before December 31, 2018. The Commission regulates the adult-use marijuana program, which is governed by G.L. c. 94G, and 935 CMR 500.000. Representatives of the Commission will be involved in the hiring process for this position and materials submitted by candidates in connection with their applications may be shared with Commission representatives solely for the purpose of evaluating their candidacy.
Detailed Responsibilities:
SITE INSPECTIONS
- RMD site inspections-tracks compliance with all relevant laws and regulations through on-site visits, auditing and inspection of records.
- Reviews all cultivation activities.
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Inspects all labeling, materials and packaging for compliance.
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Coordinates the receipt of laboratory testing results and inputs data into Program database for review and analysis purposes.
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Reviews standards and implementation for storage facilities regarding the use of lighting, ventilation, labeling, security procedures, access limitation and etc.
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Inspects procedures outlined in the RMD operational documents regarding the requirements for the computers system for record-keeping and ensure they are in accordance with industry standards and DPH regulations.
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Assesses all RMD guidelines regarding the methods, timeline and scheduling for quality controls and conducting tests with partnering laboratories.
POLICY & PROCEDURE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Assists with ongoing documentation of Program policies and procedures that are continually updated to reflect best practices in this new industry.
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Reviews policies, processes and oversight of RMD product safety, sanitation and waste disposal.
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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.
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Inspects documentation to ensure proper identification and distribution to registered qualified patient or personal caregiver.
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Reviews patient services and ensure patient confidentiality.
VIOLATIONS & ENFORCEMENT
- Responds to rule violations, incidents or complaints by issuing deficiency statements and evaluating and approving plans for corrective action.
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Represents DPH in any hearing related to RMD non-compliance.
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Obtains evidence and maintains thorough documentation of inspections and makes corrective action recommendations.
- Communicates as requested with state and local agencies, including law enforcement and local boards of health.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
- College degree is highly desirable.
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Investigative experience.
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Regulatory compliance experience in the food industry.
- Regulatory compliance experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Work experience with horticulture, farming, or hydroponic growing.
Skills & Experience:
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
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Possess a valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
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Ability and willingness to travel as necessary within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Thorough knowledge and understanding of investigative and inspection procedures; able to use investigative techniques to obtain information.
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Ability to prepare written and verbal reports.
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Ability to maintain an in-depth knowledge of state statutes related to work performed and agency rules and regulations including 105 CMR 725.000.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills.
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Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality while adhering to strict deadlines.
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Ability to proficiently utilize MS Word, Excel, Outlook.
- Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
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Organized, detail-oriented and able to maintain accurate records.
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Able to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
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Able to communicate effectively, tactfully and respectfully with others—both orally and written communications.
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Able to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations.
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Work well independently.
Agency Mission:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
Total Compensation:
As an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are offered a great career opportunity influencing a wide-spectrum of services to the diverse populations we serve - but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:
- 75% state paid medical insurance premium
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Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
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Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
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Low cost basic and optional life insurance
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Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
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11 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
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Tuition Remission for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
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Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
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Incentive-based Wellness Programs
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Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
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Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
For questions, please contact Health Human Resources at 1-800-850-6968.
More information can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in investigatory, law enforcement or regulatory administration work, or (B) and equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.