Minnesota Seeking Candidates to Run the State’s Office of Cannabis Management

Working Title: Office of Cannabis Management Director
Job Class: Executive Director for the Office of Cannabis Management
Agency: Cannabis Management Office

• Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
• Date Posted: 06/30/2023
• Closing Date: 07/31/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Office of Cannabis Management 
• Division/Unit: Office of Cannabis Management
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday – Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 10%
• Salary Range: $50.65 – $72.56 / hourly; $105,757 – $151,505 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 – Managerial Plan
• Telework Eligible: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

The inaugural Director of the Office of Cannabis Management will have responsibility for building a new state agency from the ground up and play a key leadership role in establishing and regulating an emerging new cannabis market in Minnesota. This position is directly appointed by the Governor. The position is in the unclassified service and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Director will serve as the chief executive and administrative officer of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and will be responsible for establishing and performing the executive duties outlined in State Statute.

The Director will lead planning and policymaking; regulatory functions including compliance, enforcement, and licensure; social equity; tribal relations; legislative relations and operations management. This position will ensure office activities align with statutes, rules and legislation governing the Agency.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading the overall operations of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) by providing the day-to-day and long-term leadership of a complex and publicly visible Agency to ensure integrity, promote social and community equity, and build public and stakeholder confidence in the regulation of the cannabis industry.
• Providing executive management over the staff and budget of the OCM.
• Providing direction for the legislative and rulemaking needs of the OCM.
• Leading development of a statewide regulatory system to ensure a safe, accessible and ethical cannabis industry.
• Planning, organizing and directing enforcement, licensing, compliance and inspection activities for adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis and lower-potency hemp edibles.
• Providing leadership in government relations, tribal relations and communications activities.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Eight years of professional experience in regulatory oversight, public administration, business or law enforcement. A bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration, business administration or a related field can substitute for two years of experience.

Two years of managerial experience over one or more functional area that includes overseeing professional and high-level management staff. 

Experience must include planning, development and implementation of budgets, policies, procedures and objectives necessary to achieve the goals of an organization or program along with development of a strategic plan.

Experience in a regulatory agency or other regulatory compliance experience.

Knowledge of the cannabis and/or hemp regulatory environment.

Excellent management and communication skills, including strong writing skills and public speaking skills.

Demonstrated cultural competence and/or experience implementing equitable policies and practices throughout the organization.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.

The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Superior personnel management skills that include leadership of managers with authority over multi-disciplined business units.

Prior work experience in the cannabis or hemp industry, particularly with involvement of tribal nations.

Demonstrated ability to partner with public and private organizations, special interest groups, elected and appointed officials, in situations which may be politically sensitive.

Well established negotiation skills and an aptitude for building consensus through cooperation and coalition-building.

Proven experience in budget, financial and contract management

Proven experience in policy analysis, development and implementation.

Experience solving complex problems and executing decisions.

Demonstrated experience implementing new policies or laws

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check.  It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency.  The background check may consist of the following components:

1. 1. SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
   2. Employment Reference Check
   3. Driver’s License Check
   4. Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Charlene Briner at [email protected].

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.