Director of Testing

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages Testing staff in partnering with the rest of the Investigations and Enforcement staff to identify regulatory concerns and modify procedures for licensing, inspecting, and investigating ITLs;

• Supervise and participate in the collection of data from the seed-to-sale tracking system and licensing database to identify testing parameters and related results;

• Conduct site visits at ITLs to evaluate their standard operating procedures, observe testing methodologies, and inspect the licensed premises to determine compliance with state regulations;

• In cooperation with Investigations and Enforcement staff, monitor and track the status of ITL licenses, certifications, and mandatory requirements;

• Lead efforts in implementing state of the art techniques and approaches for collecting and analyzing testing and research related data by ensuring that ITLs are using a quality system approach to laboratory testing that provides accurate and reliable test results;

• Assist Investigations and Enforcement staff in developing enforcement approach for testing protocols and procedures to ensure that MEs and MTCs, are in compliance with state laws and regulations;

• Assist the Commission with regulations, protocols, and methodologies regarding marijuana testing, which includes, but is not limited to the following: potency, pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, microbial, terpenes, water content, and vape products.

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;

• Collaborate with other state agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health to develop inspection and evaluation protocols.

• Stay current with emerging practices and information related to best practices for marijuana testing; and

• Performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Director of Testing will oversee the work of the Laboratory and Testing team.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Excellent quantitative statistical knowledge;

• Advanced experience with at least one high-level statistical software program (R, SAS, Stata, SPSS etc.);

• Experience with SQL;

• Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence;

• Adept at presenting information in an accurate and concise format;

• Ability to think critically and strategically;

• Comfortable working independently, as well as with teams;

• Ability to seek opportunities to resolve problems, achieve goals, or otherwise advance the Commission's mission;

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and possesses a valid Driver's License from Massachusetts or another state;

• Ability to work in and travel to the Commissions headquarters in Worcester, along with other locations across the state; and

• Approximately 50% of the time is spent in the field, out of the office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Data Science, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education required;

• Minimum of 7-10 years of related work/graduate experience in Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or related field;

• Experience or familiarity in the cannabis regulatory environment and/or research; and

• Solid background in laboratory informational technology and quantitative data analysis;

• Demonstrated experience managing projects and teams; and

• Strong experience using Microsoft Office, case management systems and statistical software.

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:

A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and

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.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of 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.