Director of Special Projects – Public Service Coordinator I Position Available In Kennebec, Maine

Director of Special Projects

• Public Service Coordinator I
  Augusta , Maine , United States | Confidential | Full-time Apply by: March 11, 2025 Apply with Linkedin Apply
  Office of Cannabis Policy Director of Special Projects

•

Public Service Coordinator I Opening Date:

February 25, 2025

Closing Date:

March 11, 2025

Job Class Code:

CA28

Grade:

28

Salary:

$66,206.40

• $94,057.

60/

Annually Position Number:

004601203
JOB

DESCRIPTION

The Director of Special Projects position serves as a critical team member within the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP), one of the nation’s preeminent cannabis regulators, and represents a terrific opportunity for the right candidate to join a team that is committed to effectively and responsibly licensing and regulating cannabis establishments in Maine. The position’s day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing the successful completion of projects and tasks of OCP’s various functional units (licensing, compliance, data analytics, policy, outreach) and cross-functional teams, all of which relate to fulfilling the organization’s mission and goals (https://www.maine.gov/dafs/omp/about/mission-vision-values) . This includes working with other senior leadership positions in planning, controlling, and finalizing organizational projects or initiatives, as assigned by the Director. Additionally, the Director of Special Projects will liaise with other state government agencies, as necessary, to ensure the Office is completing its various initiatives on-time and with all the input and feedback necessary to ensure their success. As an organization which prides itself upon meeting strict deadlines, this position requires the successful candidate to be highly-organized, have a keen eye for detail, and exercise the independent judgement necessary to manage several—often competing—priorities at once. This Director of Special Projects reports directly to the Director of the Office of Cannabis Policy.

Specific duties include:

Overseeing the planning, implementation, and execution of high-level initiatives. Developing and maintaining an organizational operating plan, which will include both near

• and long-term initiatives. Developing, researching, and analyzing best practices related to both adult use and medical cannabis laws, including policy, procedures, and rules in other cannabis regulating jurisdictions. Determines and effectuates accountability and identification of all OCP contracts
• leads in drafting requests for proposals, lead the evaluation team, assist in contract writing and coordinate bidders conferences as necessary, receive and coordinate question for contracted services.

Working closely with fellow OCP team members to develop and execute project plans and timelines, as assigned. Collaborating with state and local entities to fulfill the mission of OCP. Preparing and executing materials—including but not limited to documents, presentations, videos, web content—on behalf of and for the use of the Office. Manages and approves Municipal reimbursement applications in accordance with P.L. 2021, ch.645 including ensuring sufficient allotment to process payments. Assist in the logistics of rulemaking per Maine’s Administrative Procedures Act. Attend meetings to take notes/minutes, document next steps, and ensure decisions are made with a holistic understanding of ongoing organizational initiatives. Assist in the logistics of events, public hearings, presentations, etc. Navigate and analyze data from OCP’s licensing, compliance, and inventory tracking systems to assist the daily operations of OCP. Planning and executing projects as assigned by the OCP Director in the time allotted. Oversee all FOAA responsibilities for the office including intake, evaluation, compliance review, response preparation and tracking to ensure time and accurate fulfillment.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Ability to efficiently manage time and multiple projects. Knowledge of the project management process. Ability to initiate, plan, execute, control, and finalize any given project in a specified time. Ability to work with groups in a leadership role. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to write clearly and effectively. Knowledge of Maine’s cannabis laws and regulations. Knowledge of the legislative process. Knowledge of Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse groups of people and tasks. Ability to analyze and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Ability to prepare and complete reports, documentation, and memos. Ability to prepare and deliver presentations, training, and agency positions. Ability to analyze complex data sets from different Office systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must possess a bachelors’ degree or higher.

CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WITH THE FOLLOWING

A high-level understanding of Maine’s Cannabis laws and cannabis policy. Masters, PhD or JD in a related field. Experience with cannabis licensing, compliance and inventory tracking systems. Knowledge of Maine Administrative Procedures Act. Knowledge of Department of Administrative and Financial Services programs. Knowledge of State Government structures, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of Maine Freedom of Access Act. Preference will be given to those who submit a cover letter and resume. Benefits of working for the

State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—”Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: Work-Life Fit

• Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. Health Insurance Coverage
• The State of Maine pays 85
• 95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96
• $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. Dental Insurance
• The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value). Retirement Plan
• The State contributes the equivalent of 18.

09% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

Note:

Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time. There’s a job and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.