Job Description

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

08/16/2024

Application Deadline:

08/26/2024

Agency:

Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission

Salary Range:

$4,536 - $6,947

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Liquor License Investigator (Licensing Specialist)

Job Description:

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is recruiting for a permanent, full-time Liquor License Investigator (Licensing Specialist) in our Licensing Division, located in our Portland HQ office, 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland, OR.

Liquor License Investigator (Licensing Specialist) ensure that qualified applicants receive liquor licenses by conducting a background investigation; educating, training and assisting applicants, licensees and the public in all aspects of liquor licensing – rules, statutes, policies and licensing standards, etc..

Licensing specialists use discretionary judgment to plan the scope and direction of investigations from receipt of the application or change through to completion/withdrawal/inactivation. Investigations include an analysis of the ownership, operation, management of the prospective business, the applicant's operating proposal, an analysis of the applicant's OLCC compliance history and business location (if previously licensed), an analysis of the impact of the proposed operation on the community, and a recommendation on granting, restricting, or denying the license.

Applications are often controversial and sensitive in nature because of widespread critical opinion about such issues as neighborhood impact, drug and alcohol problems, and organized crime. The licensing specialist acts as liaison and mediator to local government bodies, neighborhood groups, law enforcement agencies, and applicants.

Who are we?

The OLCC is the agency responsible for regulating the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in Oregon by administering the state's Liquor Control Act and regulating the production, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana in Oregon through the Control, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act.

The agency is comprised of three major operational programs; the Distilled Spirits Program, the Recreational Marijuana Program, and the Public Safety Program. All three programs are supported by the Administration, Financial Services, and Support Services divisions. Revenue generated from these programs helps support state and local government programs. The OLCC distributed more than $600.4 million in the last two years to Oregon’s General Fund, Cities, Counties, and Drug/Alcohol Abuse Programs. This money helps fund essential services such as schools, police, and healthcare for Oregonians.

The Distilled Spirits Program oversees the distribution and sale of distilled spirits in the state. The Distilled Spirits division centrally purchases, warehouses, and distributes distilled spirits to Oregon’s independently operated liquor stores. OLCC’s Public Safety Program licenses and regulates businesses in the alcohol industry such as manufacturers, wholesalers, bars, restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores.

The Recreational Marijuana Program is exclusively authorized to make recreational marijuana available to consumers and licensed businesses through retail marijuana stores. The program also tracks the growing, transporting, processing, and selling of recreational marijuana products. The Public Safety Program is responsible for licensing and regulating the operation of the recreational marijuana industry in Oregon.

The following list represents the general responsibilities of the Liquor License Investigator (Licensing Specialist):

• Manage an active liquor license and permits caseload, assessing priorities and using discretion to plan scope and direction of investigations. Implements work flow processes, Standard operating procedures and procedures to ensure applicants receive communication and action timely.

• Makes independent assessments of whether applicants have a habit of abuse, criminal record or otherwise present a poor risk of compliance using the resources available, including analyzing and interpreting technical reports of other professional disciplines such as medical or alcohol treatment reports, police reports and court documents.

• Interview and communicate with applicants and interpret or explain license eligibility requirements, statutes, rules, policies or procedures. Analyze and evaluate routine and complex business structures, business operating plans, and other business documents to determine ownership or identify potential non-compliance issues.

• Identify and apply relevant statutes, rules, case law, Attorney General Opinions and Commission policy to relevant facts. Analyze facts to determine eligibility and make a recommendation to grant or deny license.

• Evaluate floor plans and blue prints of proposed outlets. Analyze their sufficiency to meet OLCC operating requirements and the applicant's operating proposal. Works with Compliance to determine appropriate minor postings.

• Write clear, complete reports that summarize investigative facts, evaluate and apply statutes, administrative rules and legal case precedent, and explain conclusion and recommendation.

• Testify on behalf of the Commission at administrative law hearings or in court trials.

• Distribute license applications and instructing applicants in how to complete the forms. Determine appropriate fees and issue licenses and authorities to operate. Request refunds from finance for overpayment of license fees, with approval from management.

• Enters application and license actions in database; records workflow process; ensures completeness and accuracy of applicant/licensee information – name, address, etc.

• Logs and tracks application and license actions; communicates with applicants and licensees on status; updates database with workflow actions; adheres to policies and process for license timelines and action.

• Answer inquiries on licensing through routine contacts – such as emails, officer of the day - workshops or participation in public meetings, provide information and training to educate members of the public, applicants, licensees, and governmental officials about OLCC statutes, rules and processes.

• Confers with and refers violation matters to compliance staff.

• Communicates with people of diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Recommends new policy to better serve the public, law enforcement community, liquor industry, and government and special interest groups. Reviews and makes recommendations on proposed or revised administrative rules.

• Mentors, trains and provides oral and/or written reports on new investigators. Conduct reviews of other investigator applications/files.

What do you need to qualify? Minimum Qualifications:

Three years of experience conducting investigations of allegations, facts, behaviors, documents, laws, legal precedents and/or other information. This experience must include preparing written reports using individual judgment in developing conclusions or recommendations that are subject to review in court, administrative hearings or comparable formal review process;

OR

An Associate’s degree in criminal justice, human or behavioral sciences, business or public administration, or other related field AND eighteen months of experience conducting investigations;

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, human or behavioral sciences, business or public administration or other related field;

OR

Any relevant combination of education and experience equivalent to three years.

Examples of experience that may qualify are regulatory compliance investigation; criminal investigation; child welfare investigation or eligibility determination; governmental benefit, business or mail fraud investigation; revenue audits; insurance claims or fraud investigation.

The agency will consider all fields of education when determining qualifications and prior to invitation for interview processes.

NOTE: To be considered for hire, you must be at least 21 years of age. A criminal history check will be conducted prior to appointment.

What we are looking for (Desired Attributes):

• Technologically Proficient: Efficiently utilizes modern technology and software tools.

• Self-Motivated: Works independently with initiative and minimal supervision.

• Customer Service Oriented: Delivers high-quality service and effectively addresses client needs.

• Coachable and Adaptable: Open to feedback and willing to learn and adapt to new challenges.

Note: You must clearly describe your experience in each area listed in your cover letter. Failure to provide this information may result in eliminating your application from further consideration.

How are candidates selected?

The selection process consists of a review of your application and an evaluation of your education, experience, training, and overall professionalism of your application materials. Candidates that follow the application directions, submit what is required and provide us with credentials that showcase their skills and how they meet the minimum qualifications and desired attributes will be invited to an interview. Resumes will not replace the completed job history experience in Workday. We will only review documents that are requested. Because details are really important to us, your application materials will be evaluated for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

What's in it for you?

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• 11 paid holidays per year.

• 8 hours of vacation leave earned per month, eligible to be used after 6 months of service.

• 8 hours of sick leave earned per month, eligible to be used as accrued.

• 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service.

• Pension and retirement programs.

• Click

  here

  to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

• A workplace that fosters fairness, equity, and inclusion to maintain a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

• A healthy work/life balance, with opportunities for hybrid remote work.

How to Apply:

• Internal Applicants (Current State of Oregon Employee) – MUST apply through your employee Workday account. Please update your profile with current job history and education. In Workday, click on the Career application link, View Internal-Find Jobs, Find the position and select Apply.

• External Applicants – Please visit the

  State of Oregon job opportunities webpage

  to submit your application for the position.

• Workday does not pull your work history from your profile; you MUST list your current work experience on your application for it to be considered. A resume will not substitute for completing the work experience section of your application.

• The work history and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum qualifications and desired attributes listed above.

• Upload and attach your resume and cover letter in addition to completing your job history and education details in Workday. Cover letters can be attached in the same section as your resume.

Want to Know More? Here’s some additional information:

• Telework: After an initial training period, this position is eligible for a flexible hybrid remote work schedule. You may be required to come in on a “as needed” basis. The position is based at our Portland HQ office. Telework is evaluated periodically to ensure business needs are being met and can be adjusted at any time. Please visit the state’s

  Work Reimaged

  website for more information.

• The salary listed is the non-Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) qualifying salary. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary will reflect the 6.95% increase.

• This position will be represented by the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Union, Local 2505.

• This position serves a six-month trial service period.

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.

• Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Justice Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. OLCC uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

• Driving: The person in this position may drive a State of Oregon vehicle. We require drivers to hold a current, valid driver’s license and maintain a good driving record in order to drive.

• This position requires a background and security check with fingerprinting to work in areas that handle confidential documents. An adverse background and failed security clearance will result in disqualification.

Helpful Tips:

• Be sure to attach a resume and cover letter. Note: Applicants who don’t attach the required documents or fail to complete the “Work History” section of the application may be automatically disqualified from further consideration. If you are concerned that the requested documents weren’t attached to your application, please email a copy to

  bailie.foxworthy@olcc.oregon.gov

  . Material will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

• Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application process.

• Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.

• This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.

• Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.

• Workday performs best in Google Chrome.

• Click here for

  Resources

  and a

  Job Support Page

  .

Veteran's Preference:
The OLCC provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be sent a Workday “Task” to complete once you have submitted your application. The “Task” will prompt you to provide the appropriate documentation for your Veterans’ Preference point selection. For more information, please go here: .

After you apply:

Log in to your Workday account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions, and make sure to complete these tasks or actions before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the “My Applications” section.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance, please contact OLCC HR Recruiter, Bailie Foxworthy by email at

bailie.foxworthy@olcc.oregon.gov

. Please make sure to reference your recruitment (REQ) identification number in your email.

THE OREGON LIQUOR & CANNABIS COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO WORK FORCE DIVERSITY

Job Tags

Remote job, Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Work experience placement, Local area, Trial period, Flexible hours,

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