Environmental Protection Specialist - Environment, Product, & Consumer Safety Specialist

Department Information

The mission of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) is to become a trusted partner to every Coloradan to help them navigate the complexities of government so they can thrive. We are driven by our values of service, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and respect.

The vision of the department is to empower businesses and individuals through quality customer service, innovation, and collaboration. We celebrate diversity and support an equitable and inclusive culture. We embrace our differences because we believe this brings innovation to our work.

Description of Job

Marijuana Enforcement Division

The Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) is a dynamic and innovative regulatory agency tasked with licensing and regulating the commercial Medical and Retail Marijuana industries in Colorado. First formed in 2010 as the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, the MED has developed a leading‑edge approach to commercial marijuana regulation and is considered a global regulatory and industry leader. The Division implements legislation, develops regulations, conducts regulatory and criminal investigations, issues business licenses, engages in outreach and education initiatives, and enforces compliance mandates using a range of intervention strategies necessary to maintain a progressive and robust regulatory framework. The MED promotes transparency and innovation by utilizing a collaborative approach to engaging with stakeholders and by proactively and positively pursuing solutions to issues in a fast‑paced professional environment.

Culture & Environment

The Marijuana Enforcement Division’s culture emphasizes emotional intelligence and problem solving. Members of our team are solution‑oriented strategic thinkers who demonstrate professionalism, collaboration and integrity in all interactions. The MED operates in a dynamic and complex environment that requires team members to support one another in navigating new issues, demonstrate agility, embrace challenges as opportunities, and communicate with empathy, respect, and in the interest of progress. Vision: Regulatory excellence through progressive and proactive compliance and enforcement practices. Mission: Our mission is to promote public safety and reduce public harm by regulating the Colorado commercial marijuana industry through consistent administration of laws and regulations and strategic integration of process management, functional expertise, and innovative problem‑solving.

Job Duties

This position functions as a subject‑matter expert for evaluating hazardous conditions, identifying risks of and presence of contamination on product or at a licensed premises. The position leads analysis and inspections regarding product safety and general sanitary conditions for licensed premises.

Compliance Inspections

• Conduct off‑site monitoring and on‑site inspections of marijuana businesses to consistently evaluate product and environmental safety concerns, and interpret and assess compliance with applicable Colorado Marijuana Laws and Regulations.
• Monitor those with previous non‑compliance history to ensure the licensees are returning to and maintaining compliance.
• Support and conduct prioritized investigations into mandatory testing compliance, environmental safety, and product safety‑related cases, leveraging Division tools such as the inventory tracking system and licensing database to inform investigative scope and approach.

Proactive Monitoring

• Contribute to developing and implementing a risk‑based process to help the team identify the licensees at the highest risk for non‑compliance and public safety issues.
• Leverage available technology and resources to analyze data effectively and identify licensees at greatest risk of product and occupational safety concerns.
• Develop investigative plans and operational plans that incorporate available data to monitor and conduct inspections of licensees to identify potential non‑compliance or other public safety issues.

Educational Resources

• Contribute to the development of educational resources and guidance documents for internal and external stakeholders, including compliance tips, industry bulletins, inventory tracking bulletins, and internal materials designed to assist MED staff and licensees with understanding compliance and operating in a compliant manner.
• Conduct site visits to explain complex rules, evaluate compliance with specific health and safety regulations, and provide information to assist licensees with the implementation of regulations.
• Engage with stakeholders to identify common confusion or challenges with regulations and develop resources to address those concerns to encourage compliance and protect public safety.

Specialized Focus – Testing, Adverse Health Event, and Sanitary Condition Investigations

• Influence management’s decision‑making and policy recommendations for product and consumer safety concerns.
• Leverage internal databases such as the inventory tracking system and the Division’s licensing database to monitor and document compliance with the mandatory testing program.
• Lead investigations into complex testing compliance cases and adverse health event reports.
• Inspect licensed facilities for compliance with regulations affecting sanitary conditions, environmental safety, and product safety.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Residency Requirement: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only: Eight (8) years of relevant experience in environmental science, biology, physical sciences, quality management systems, or environmental, health, and safety.

Education and Experience: A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in environmental science, biology, physical sciences, quality management systems, or environmental, health, and safety equal to eight (8) years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and applying standards, statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Experience working in a highly regulated industry that prioritizes public health and safety.
• Experience investigating product or consumer safety concerns.
• Experience evaluating environmental conditions and regulations in a professional setting.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders with competing interests.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, and accept supervision.
• Ability to use creative and collaborative approaches to solve complex challenges.
• Proven success organizing and tracking workload.
• Proficiency in Google Suite.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prepare accurate and concise written reports that may be used in an administrative hearing or other legal proceeding.

Conditions of Employment

Employees are in a position of public trust in the performance of their duties and must operate in a manner that maintains the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and public confidence. Final candidates must complete a background investigation and reference check prior to appointment.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Compliance

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non‑discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Benefits

Step Pay Program: Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program, any former or current State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series.