Title: Senior Licensing Associate

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Hiring range for this position is $49,950 -$59,904, commensurate with education and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Location: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Agency Website: https://cca.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G/This position is contingent upon the approval of pending legislative actions.

Job Duties

Advanced Licensing & Registration Administration
• Reviews complex, escalated, or technical cannabis licensing, patient certification, and product registration applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Identifies deficiencies or inconsistencies within applications, requests corrections, and ensures timely processing to meet program standards.
• Supports workflow optimization by recommending improvements to licensing processes, system functionality, and data quality controls.
• Ensures that application reviews are well documented, auditable, and aligned with program policies and statutory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance Support
• Identifies potential compliance concerns during application review and appropriately escalates issues to compliance or enforcement teams.
• Documents facility related irregularities or observations that may indicate noncompliance with cannabis laws or operating standards.
• Applies an understanding of regulatory requirements governing cannabis facilities, product safety, and operational compliance to the licensing review process.

Program Coordination & Reporting
• Prepares reports, summaries, decision documentation, and analytical materials supporting licensing determinations and program oversight.
• Maintains organized, accurate, and audit ready records consistent with regulatory expectations and agency policies.
• Assists in developing and updating licensing procedures, internal SOPs, and guidance documents to promote consistency and transparency.

Stakeholder & Public Interaction
• Responds to complex inquiries from applicants, licensees, patients, practitioners, and members of the public with clear, accurate, and timely information.
• Provides guidance on application processes, regulatory requirements, and program expectations in a professional and accessible manner.
• Represents the agency during interactions with cannabis facilities, community stakeholders, and professional partners.

Leadership & Mentorship
• Provides mentoring and technical support to Licensing Associates and junior staff, including guidance on application review, documentation standards, and regulatory interpretation.
• Supports onboarding and training efforts to strengthen staff knowledge and program consistency.
• Serves as a lead resource for resolving escalated, complex, or technical licensing issues.

Administrative & Technical Proficiency
• Utilizes licensing and registration databases, document management systems, and digital tools to process and track applications accurately.
• Manages confidential and sensitive information in accordance with agency policies and state requirements.
• Organizes and prioritizes multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast paced regulatory environment.


Minimum Qualifications

• State cannabis laws, regulations, and program requirements.
• Licensing, permitting, and registration processes within a regulatory agency.
• Documentation standards, administrative procedures, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Basic understanding of compliance, enforcement, and regulatory oversight.
• Advanced application review and data verification.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication.
• Customer service and stakeholder engagement.
• Report drafting, documentation, and workflow management.
• Use of databases, spreadsheets, and digital filing systems.
• Interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Work independently and collaboratively with regulatory staff.
• Mentor junior staff and support team development.
• Manage high-volume workloads with accuracy and attention to detail.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, health administration, regulatory affairs, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Experience in licensing, permitting, regulatory program operations, or administrative review.
• Experience working in a government agency or regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex or escalated application reviews.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in cannabis regulation, patient certification systems, or healthcare related registration programs.
• Experience using licensing or case management software platforms.
• Experience developing SOPs, training materials, or workflow improvements.
• Additional training or certification in regulatory compliance or administrative management.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Robin Hollenbeck

Phone: (804) 653-9490

Email: robin.hollenbeck@cca.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call (804)653-9490 for assistance.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.