MONTANA
This inspector is responsible for regulatory oversight, education, and providing compliance services to medical marijuana providers. Primary duties include conducting inspections, investigations, providing technical assistance, sampling and responding to complaints and statutory violations. This position receives general direction from the Inspector Supervisor, however, typically works independently in diverse and challenging work environments inspecting medical marijuana premises to assure compliance with State statutes, administrative rules, and local jurisdictional requirements.
The scope of inspections ranges from marijuana growing/cultivating facilities, marijuana-infused products manufacturing facilities, dispensary or retail shops, chemical manufacturing facilities, and testing laboratories which can be sensitive, contentious, comprehensive, and complex in nature. This position is responsible for evaluating, managing, and maintaining complex database systems and approving licenses in accordance with statutes and regulations. The inspector will perform other regulatory duties as allowed under the Montana Medical Marijuana Act.
Key Responsibilities Include
Plan, schedule, and conduct inspections of applicant and licensed cultivations, manufacturing facilities, dispensaries, to ensure that marijuana products are produced, handled, and tested in accordance with relevant program standards. Create detailed inspection documentation and corrective actions, as well as follow-up communication for any observed deficiencies. Interpret and apply complex state statutes, administrative rules, standards, certification requirements, and local jurisdictional requirements, ordinances, zoning requirements, and other relevant regulations (MDEQ, MDOR etc.). Review and evaluate cultivation, manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and quality assurance testing laboratory procedures, commodities, products, labels, equipment, and audit components for consistency with the operational plan; gather evidence and documentation of potential noncompliance with references to specific portions of state statute or administrative rule; and maintain complete and accurate records related to each inspection, and investigation activities. Issue stop sales, embargos and quarantine orders for illegal, contaminated, impure or substandard products in coordination with the direct supervisor. Gather evidence, interpret, and document technically and legally defensible regulatory observations to support recommended actions and follow-up inspections to document additional observations or confirm compliance/non-compliance; implements standard investigative procedures using technically and scientifically defensible methods through interviews, photographs, affidavits, review of records, and obtaining samples. Compile information and interpret evidence; recommend regulatory conclusions, enforcement, or remedial actions; implement approved corrective or remedial actions; conducts meetings with affected persons or groups in difficult situations; consult with department attorney and direct supervisor; act as an expert witness at hearings and court proceedings; and assist regulatory agencies as necessary. Serve as an expert resource on topics related to the Montana Marijuana Program. Respond to public inquiries and provide technical assistance on program requirements to industry representatives, the regulated community and members of the public to promote program compliance. Assist with the development and preparation of educational and training materials. May represent the department, in coordination with direct supervisor, at conferences, workshops, field events and trainings as needed to support program objectives.
Physical and Environmental Demands: Work is performed in both an office environment and in the field. Work involves extensive statewide travel (up to 30,000 miles per year) with varying seasonal demands to perform inspections, investigations and to attend meetings and conferences. Fieldwork may include long working hours, adverse weather conditions, hot and humid facilities, dark environments, isolated areas, dusty and noisy conditions, withstanding heights, walking on slippery or uneven ground, and exposure to high intensity lights, exposure to chemicals to include BHO, CO2, and fertilizers. Frequent exposure to chemical manufacturing equipment.
This position requires the ability to manage and mediate confrontational situations associated with site inspections, certification determinations, and regulatory measures. The incumbent is expected to communicate effectively in a variety of situations ranging from routine conversations designed to elicit compliance information to dealing with volatile, explosive, and highly controversial situations or incidents that require conflict management and resolution. It is not uncommon to encounter armed individuals during fieldwork.
Required For The First Day Of Work
Professional knowledge, skill and ability to independently interpret codes, rules, laws and policies to attain compliance and enforcement of the state adopted medical marijuana program rules and laws. Ability to apply knowledge as it applies to a variety of complex dispensary, cultivation, extraction facilities, quality assurance testing laboratories, and marijuana infused products production inspection issues and concerns with emphasis on health and safety of patients. Knowledge of regulatory procedures and concepts, relevant state laws and regulations, and administrative practices and procedures, inspection and investigation methods and procedures for obtaining evidence, sample collection and equipment use, the principles, methods and techniques of field data collection, project planning and management, and a general knowledge of trends and issues affecting Montana’s medical marijuana industry. Knowledge of International Organization for Standardization regulations, Montana statute, and all associated administrative rules, as well as department inspection and regulatory processes and procedures. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills including the ability to gather information in situations ranging from routine conversations designed to elicit compliance information to dealing with volatile or controversial situations or incidents. Ability to maintain confidentiality; make accurate and objective judgments; interpret regulations and apply to program objectives; plan, design and organize complex inspections and regulatory cases; work independently and in teams; maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, clients, the medical marijuana community, state and local agencies, special interest groups and the general public. Ability to review, evaluate, and develop technical reports and materials; and the ability to plan, organize, and conduct research as well as analyze and interpret resultant data. Skilled in conflict resolution with the ability to manage and mediate confrontational situations during meetings, site inspections, and other contacts. As a representative of the department, the incumbent is always expected to know and understand the policies of the department and to work within them . Ability to use personal computer, office equipment, and computer applications.
Required Minimum Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, criminal justice, or a closely related field of study. Two years of job-related work experience. Other combinations of related education and work experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Women (and/or) minorities may be under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.
For a full copy of the job description, please contact Tiffany Thornton at 406-444-0656 or [email protected].
In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter, resume at the time of submitting the online application.
Location of position to be determined at time of hire.
The State of Montana offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
15 paid vacation days 12 sick days 10 paid holidays a year
To view State of Montana’s medical, dental, vision coverage, and other offerings, you can visit our Health Care and Benefits website at, https://benefits.mt.gov/
Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position.
