Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program Chemist

State of Washington
Olympia, Washington
Full Time

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AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities from ensuring food safety to environmental protection touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page .

The Opportunity

The Agricultural Environmental Services Division protects the agricultural viability, human and environmental health, and natural resources of the people of the State of Washington. The work in this division is statewide and is split between regulatory programs and technical assistance in pesticides, dairy nutrient management, cannabis/hemp, and fertilizers, and environmental services focused on science policy, equity and environmental justice, aquaculture and rural policy, commodity commissions, soil health, water quality and quantity, pesticide stewardship and education, and land use.

Through WSDA , the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) have formed an interagency program, the Cannabis Lab Standards Program (CLASP) to maintain rules and statewide guidance for cannabis laboratory quality standards conducting analysis of recreational and medicinal cannabis with THC levels greater than 0.3 percent. WSDA has been designated as the lead agency by the Washington State Legislature in statute (RCW 15.150). The program must coordinate among all participating agencies on agency policies, actions, and regulatory activities that relate to cannabis testing laboratory quality standards.

The Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program Chemist serves as the subject matter expert for the chemical laboratory analysis for cannabis and assists in the development, maintenances, and education on cannabis laboratory analysis standards in conjunction with the CLASP interagency team members. This position audits laboratories and review data to ensure that labs are meeting agency standards. Incumbents in this position are required to work with their team to provide chemistry expertise on issues that arise related to lab proficiency, identifying appropriate corrective actions, and assisting the team in creating, compiling, and delivering the appropriate documentation required for accreditation or corrective action. This position involves signification coordination and liaison with the LCB, and DOH, as well as other state and federal agencies, and local governments.

The CLASP Chemist also provides regulatory and economic analysis to identify the financial impacts of changing laboratory standards within the network of local laboratories. This position involves complex decision making that has significant impacts on laboratories, the cannabis industry, and even cannabis laboratory standards across state lines. This position conducts comparative analyses across state regulatory standards, and analyzes how emerging issues within the industry, as well as new legislative proposals may impact the formulation of a cannabis standard. The CLASP Chemist utilizes new techniques to create standards and processes that may not have been done before.

The Cannabis Lab Analysis Standards Program Chemist position is approved for a home duty station in Thurston County, Washington but needs to be willing and able to travel statewide to complete duties. Include but are not limited to:

Collaborate with CLASP interagency team in researching, developing, establishing and maintaining approved cannabis laboratory quality standards, including approved methods for testing cannabis for compliance with product standards (cannabinoid concentration, pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, mycotoxins and microbials), method validation protocols, performance measures and criteria standards applied to the testing of cannabis products.
Formulate state-wide policy and rules regarding cannabis testing standards, chemical research, and chemical investigative functions. Evaluate the needs and feasibility of initiating or expanding, reducing, or eliminating portions of the lab standards program and effectively recommend changes indicated.
Use sound and relevant science when making modifications and updates to the adopted laboratory quality standards and supporting documents.
Assist in the creation of cannabis laboratory standards guidance or SOP documents and manuals to be used by laboratories and accreditation providers.
Perform regular and frequent review of the evolving original chemical and microbial research related to cannabis. Coordinate with the CLASP team and give technical assistance in areas of research planning and development of standards.
Participate in interagency CLASP meetings.
Provide technical assistance to conduct a small business economic impact statement.
Stay engaged and up to date on regulatory changes and issues that impact the cannabis industry and creation of laboratory standards.
Conduct bill analysis and understand how a bill or legislative proposal may impact a cannabis lab standard.
Assist in the creation of a lab accreditation program.
Attend laboratory audits.
Review laboratory data.
Assist in the creation of accreditation documentation.
Assist in developing rules and participate in rulemaking efforts, provide recommendations for rule modifications and updates based on new research and best practices.

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry AND six (6) years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory including at least one (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists.
- Master's degree will substitute for two years of the required experience OR
- A Ph.D. degree will substitute for three years of the required experience provided a Bachelor's degree and the required college-level chemistry have been achieved.

One (1) year of experience as a Chemist 3.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable:

Masters degree in chemistry or a directly related field and four or more years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations or comparable combination of graduate education and experience.
Two (2) or more years of data analysis experience, including but not limited to: descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, modeling, data forensics, and forecasting.
Laboratory experience conducting chemical analysis for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, cannabinoid analysis, mycotoxins and microbials, and/or establishing laboratory standards or accreditation standards.
Experience or knowledge of the cannabis industry, in either the producer, processor and/or retail levels.

Employee Benefits

A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov .

How to Apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

· A resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

· Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at ... or email ... .

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at ... . Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free .... TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

Job ID: 479035047

Originally Posted on: 5/30/2025

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