Job description

Apply early! This recruitment will remain open until filled. First review of applications is scheduled the week of September 26th!

This project position is intended to last until June 2023. While this is a project position, the agency may seek permanent funding in the 2023 legislative session.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

Do you enjoy conducting scientific research?

We are hiring a Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program Coordinator within our Hemp Program!

The Hemp Program supports domestic and international trade of hemp plant material and hemp derived products, by providing sampling, testing, inspection, and licensing services that verify the pre-harvest condition, and THC concentration of hemp grown in the State.

WSDA, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) have formed an interagency program to adopt and establish rule and statewide guidance for cannabis laboratory quality standards conducting analysis of recreational and medicinal cannabis with THC levels greater than 0.3 percent. WSDA has been designated as the lead agency by the Washington State Legislature in statute (RCW 15.150). The program must coordinate among all participating agencies on agency policies, actions, and regulatory activities that relate to cannabis testing laboratory quality standards.

The program also advises WSDA on implementation and maintenance of cannabis testing laboratory quality standards topics including, but not limited to, analytical methods; validation protocols; quality assurance and quality control practices; project planning and sampling guides; and other topics as necessary to fulfill the purposes of the program and the legislation.

The Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program Coordinator serves as the primary scientific lead of establishing cannabis analysis standards for in-depth and specialized laboratory testing. This position will coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH), the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), and the Department of Ecology (ECY). In addition, this position will coordinate efforts to establish, maintain, and update cannabis testing laboratory quality standards by rule.

WSDA rules establishing laboratory testing protocols will provide the baseline information that the ECY accreditation program needs to evaluate and accredit testing laboratories. The Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program (CLASP) Coordinator will supervise the Cannabis Lab Standards team members within WSDA and act as the CLASP interagency team lead.

Note: This position is approved for a home office location or at a WSDA regional office.

What are we looking for?
A professional with the ability to work in a diverse and sensitive political environment that can develop, organize, and direct complex research, and lead coordination of highly complex projects. This individual is capable of working cooperatively and effectively with other program staff, other state and federal agencies, customers, and stakeholders.

Why join WSDA?
The Department of Agriculture offers:

• 12 Paid Holidays, Leave & Vacation
• A great total compensation and benefits package
• Meaningful work for the State of Washington
• Supported growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, teleworking, and an Infants in the Workplace Program

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

Duties

• Researches, establishes, and maintains approved cannabis laboratory quality standards, including approved methods for testing cannabis for compliance with product standards (pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials), method validation protocols, performance measures and criteria standards applied to the testing of cannabis products.
• Translates research and analytical theory which are used to define questions and programs gaps.
• Coordinates state approval of laboratory standards to allow for a performance-based lab standard approach.
• Leads in the creation of cannabis laboratory standards guidance documents and manuals to be used by laboratories and accreditation providers.
• Coordinates standards and rules with ECY to assist them in accrediting labs to standards established by the interagency team and rules established by WSDA.
• Acts as lead liaison between all agencies involved, local governments, and other stakeholders such as legislative or congressional delegation related to the state’s cannabis testing standards.
• Supervises program staff, including hiring and training staff to successfully accomplish the duties assigned and the goals of the program.
• Ensures the efficient and effective operations for the CLASP program.
• Prioritizes, assigns, and schedules research activities and deliverables of staff.
• Conducts day-to-day supervision and ensures that staff are properly carrying out their duties.
• Hires and manages performance of staff to meet program goals and responsibilities.
• Coaches and mentors' subordinates to support the Agency in long-term retention and employee satisfaction goals.
• Works with stakeholders and other agencies to develop appropriate rules for cannabis product quality standards.
• Ensures that rules are developed following all state laws and rules and follow the protocols established in statute for this purpose.
• Ensures the appropriate technical experts review rules and attend rule hearings and provide documentation supporting final rules adopted.
• Directs the ARA and other professionals at WSDA working on the CLASP rules to ensure timely adoption.

Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• A Master's degree in in chemistry, biology, microbiology, or related field.
• Three (3) years demonstrated experience in one of the above areas.
• One or more years of supervisory experience that may be concurrent to other required experience.

Note: Additional Education may substitute for two years of the desired experience.
In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities will make your application more competitive:

• Laboratory experience conducting chemical analysis for pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials, and/or establishing laboratory standards or accreditation standards.
• Experience with or knowledge of the cannabis industry, in either the producer, processor and/or retail levels.
• Strong leadership and facilitation skills, demonstrated knowledge of personnel management principles, and program management.

Supplemental Information
How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Current resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Job Type: Temporary

Pay: $77,028.00 - $101,052.00 per year

Schedule:

• Day shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Olympia, WA 98501: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Project management: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Olympia, WA 98501

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