Executive Director of the Office of Social Equity
PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR IV
Recruitment #23-005485-0016
Department | Governor's Office |
---|---|
Date Opened | 5/30/2023 11:59:00 PM |
Filing Deadline | 6/13/2023 11:59:00 PM |
Salary | $150,000 to $165,000/year |
Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
HR Analyst | Leah Lastner |
Work Location |
Anne Arundel
|
Introduction
Background:
During the 2023 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Cannabis
Reform Act, an emergency bill that – among other things – established the Office of Social
Equity (OSE) and the position of the Executive Director of the Office of Social Equity
(Executive Director). On May 3, 2023, Governor Wes Moore signed the Cannabis Reform Act
into law, which established OSE. The Governor’s Appointments Office is currently
conducting a search for the Executive Director position.
Governor Moore and legislators have placed a strong emphasis on ensuring social equity
and parity in the new adult-use recreational cannabis industry in Maryland. Thus, the
incumbent of this position – and OSE – will be a highly-visible and critical stakeholder in
the development of policies, strategies, and procedures that will promote economic parity
and social justice in the regulation and enforcement of the new Cannabis law.
Functions of OSE
While it is nested under the newly-established Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA),
the OSE will operate as an independent unit of state government and will report to the
Governor’s Office.
OSE will be led by an Executive Director that is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of,
the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The OSE will:
● Promote and encourage participation in the regulated cannabis industry by people
from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on
drugs;
● Consult with, assist, and annually report on the administration of the Community
Reinvestment and Repair Fund and the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund, both
of which are administered by the Department of Commerce;
● Administer the Social Equity Partnership Grant Program, which incentivizes
existing operators to assist social equity businesses through mentorship, training,
and shared commercial space;
● Review all cannabis-related policies, legislation, and regulations and provide
comment and feedback - if and when appropriate – on its impact on social equity;
● Provide recommendations to the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission
(ATCC) and the MCA on regulations related to diversity and social equity applicants;
● Work with MCA to implement free technical assistance for social equity and
minority cannabis business applicants;
● Report on and recommend actions to enhance diversity and equity in ownership,
management, and employment in the cannabis industry; and
● Assist businesses with receiving financing through the Capital Access Program,
which is administered by the Department of Commerce.
Candidates will undergo a vetting and interview process administered by the Governor’s
Appointments Office. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, a resume, a
statement of capabilities, and references to:
Tisha Edwards
Secretary of Appointments
Office of the Governor
appointments.secretary@maryland.gov
GRADE
26
LOCATION OF POSITION
Annapolis, MD
POSITION DUTIES
The Executive Director is a new position established by the Cannabis Reform Act. This
position is appointed by, reports to, and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. This
position will require Senate confirmation during the 2024 Legislative Session.
The Executive Director will:
● Serve as the Administration’s leader in the area of social equity, social justice, and
economic equality in the new recreational cannabis industry;
● Execute the short-term and long-term operational and policy requirements of OSE
as outlined in the Cannabis Reform Act and as directed by the Governor’s office;
● Lead a staff on approximately 5-7 employees (in Fiscal Year 2024), with the
expectation that additional staff will be onboarded as the roles and functions of OSE
are more clearly defined; and
● In partnership with the Governor’s office, the MCA, the ATCC, and other
government stakeholders, oversee the development of policies, regulations,
legislative proposals, and strategies related to social equity and justice pertaining to
the medical and adult use of cannabis.
Pre-July 1 Priorities:
Through statutory requirements and Administration priorities, the following action items
must be prioritized and completed as soon as possible but no later than July 1:
1. Work with the MCA – which will provide administrative support – to identify and
recruit employees (5-7 in Fiscal Year 2024) to support the work of the OSE;
2. Review emergency regulations promulgated by the MCA to determine if any
provisions burden or contradict the legislative intent of the establishment of OSE;
3. In consultation with the Attorney General, identify the disproportionately impacted
areas that had above 150% of the State’s 10-year average for cannabis possession
charges;
4. Determine the percentage allocable of the Community Reinvestment and Repair
Fund to each county;
5. Consult and coordinate with the Comptroller on administration of the Community
Reinvestment and Repair Fund; and
6. Partner with the Department of Commerce to develop policies, procedures, and
strategies for the administration of the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Cannabis Reform Act requires that the Executive Director have at least five years of
experience in civil rights advocacy, civil rights litigation, or another area of social justice.
Given the scope of responsibilities, a preferred candidate would have experience,
knowledge or training in one or more of the following:
1. Cannabis industry
2. Business development
3. Law and policy
4. Evaluation and analysis
Since the position will be highly visible and critical to fostering an equitable cannabis
industry in the State, a preferred candidate should also be a skilled relationship builder
who has worked with individuals and community organizations in areas
disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates will undergo a vetting and interview process administered by the Governor’s Appointments Office. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, a resume, a statement of capabilities, and references to:
Tisha Edwards
Secretary of Appointments
Office of the Governor
appointments.secretary@maryland.gov
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.