STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Cannabis Ombudsperson

Hybrid

Recruitment #231220-5938EX-001

Introduction


Are you passionate about protecting the needs of medical marijuana users? 
If so, we invite you to explore the details below and apply to this rewarding opportunity in State service!

The State of Connecticut, Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA) is recruiting for a Cannabis Ombudsperson position in Hartford, CT.

We are seeking a professional who is familiar with the palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system. 

WE CAN OFFER
  • A Competitive starting salary
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Paid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • A culture that encourages work/life balance
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Learn more about what sets us apart as an employer with our Employer Value Proposition
THE ROLE
The Cannabis Ombudperson will be accountable for directing an office responsible for exercising independent monitoring over the palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system and advocacy for the interest of qualifying patients and caregivers. 

The Office of the Cannabis Ombudsperson shall: 
  1. Represent the interests of qualifying patients and caregivers;
  2. Identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, qualifying patients and caregivers;
  3. Monitor the palliative use of marijuana as authorized under chapter 420f of the general statutes; 
  4. Report action, inaction or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or rights of qualifying patients;
  5. Analyze, comment on and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and other government policies and actions concerning the health, safety, welfare and rights of qualifying patients and caregivers;
  6. Recommend any changes to the laws, regulations, policies and actions described in number (5) listed above that the office deems appropriate to, among other things, improve the palliative marijuana market in this state; and
  7. Facilitate public comment on the laws, regulations, policies and actions described in number (5). 
Click here for a handbook for appointed officials. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full time, 40 hours per week
  • First shift hours
  • In office location will be in Downtown Hartford, CT, easily accessible for all commuters.
  • This hybrid role has the opportunity for telework in accordance with the telework policy.  
ABOUT US
Our mission at the Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA) is to assist consumers with healthcare issues through the establishment of effective outreach programs and the development of communications related to consumer rights and responsibilities as members of healthcare plans.

OHA focuses on assisting consumers in making informed decisions when selecting a health plan; assisting consumers to resolve problems with their health insurance plans and tracking trends of issues/problems, which may require administrative or legislative intervention, or advocacy with industry, the public, or other stakeholders.

Please watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee! 


Selection Plan

This is an appointed position that is open to the public. 


For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.

To Apply:


  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.

  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

  • Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Important Information After You Apply:

  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Connect With Us:

  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the Healthcare Advocate this class is accountable for directing an office responsible for exercising independent oversight over the palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system and advocacy for the interests of qualifying patients and caregivers.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Represents the interests of qualifying patients and caregivers; 
  • Identifies, investigates, and resolves complaints made by, or on behalf of, qualifying patients and caregivers; 
  • Monitors the palliative use of marijuana as authorized under chapter 420f of the Connecticut General Statutes; 
  • Reports action, inaction, or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of qualifying patients; 
  • Analyzes, comments on, and monitors the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and other government policies and actions concerning the health, safety, welfare, and rights of qualifying patients and caregivers; 
  • Recommends any changes to the laws, regulations, policies and actions concerning the health, safety, welfare, and rights of qualifying patients and caregivers that the office deems appropriate to improve the palliative marijuana market in the state; 
  • Facilitates public comment on the laws, regulations, policies, and actions concerning the health, safety, welfare, and rights of qualifying patients and caregivers;
  • Performs related duties as required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices; 
    • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
    • palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to use computers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will possess:                                                      
  • Experience investigating and resolving consumer complaints.
  • Experience monitoring the palliative use of marijuana within the medical cannabis system.
  • Experience applying management principles and practices.
  • Experience with interpreting and applying relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations related to palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The Ombudsperson shall be familiar with the palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system. 

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.