Within the Liquor and Cannabis Board, Enforcement and Education Division, positions enforce state liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor, criminal and administrative laws.

Positions in this series are charged with investigating and prosecuting all violations of state liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor penal laws and regulations. LCB Enforcement Officers write and execute arrest warrants, arrest violators, file administrative and criminal charges; serves subpoenas and other legal documents; coordinates and works with local state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies and may supervise investigators on undercover assignments; and provides education to liquor, cannabis, vapor and tobacco licensed businesses. Incumbents require commissioned police powers as authorized by RCW 43.101.080.

This is the entry level of the series. The duties of this level require the developmental knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to investigate and prosecute all violations of state liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor penal laws and regulations; and provide education to liquor, cannabis, vapor, and tobacco licensed businesses.

Positions work under close supervision and are expected to function with independence by the end of the in-training period. Upon successful completion of the required in-training plan, incumbents may advance to the LCB Enforcement Officer level.

Receives progressive assignments in the following areas:

Investigates internal and external complaints from citizens, prevention groups, and police agencies and coordinates investigations with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies; may act as a liaison between law enforcement agencies to assist in large multi-jurisdictional investigations;

Examines violations of liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor laws; arrests violators; writes and executes search and arrest warrants; seizes and preserves evidence utilizing the chain of custody methods; files administrative and criminal charges; and appears and testifies in court;

Carries out routine inspections of licensed premises and authorized special events for compliance with liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor laws and regulations. These checks can include but are not limited to retail sales location of alcohol such as grocery stores, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, large sports and entertainment facilities, casinos, and special event locations. Cannabis inspections can also include growing operations and processing operations. Tobacco and vapor inspections can further include licensed distribution locations, hookah lounges, and tobacco or vapor-only stores;

Runs compliance checks for youth access utilizing underage minor investigative aides in license and unlicensed locations related to liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor;

Participates in undercover investigations related to licensed operation and unlicensed activities, associated with liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor sales and production;

Establishes and maintains effective relationships with members of the public, law enforcement agencies, and local businesses;

Conducts investigations requiring the use of the cannabis traceability system, including traceability audits to identify potential illegal diversion of cannabis products;

Enforces cannabis extractors which requires an understanding of the cannabis extraction process and the different types of extractors. Identifies unsafe cannabis extraction practices and conducts seizures of illegal extraction equipment;

Conducts pesticide investigations with cannabis producers including collecting samples, submitting them to laboratories, and interpreting lab reports; develops working knowledge of pesticides; initiates and oversees product recalls of unsafe cannabis products;

Seizes illegal or unlicensed alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, or vapor products, including large-scale multi-million-dollar cannabis seizures;

Handles financial audits to determine true parties of interest and sources of funds; analyzes corporate structures, partnerships and other information relevant to determine all parties are legally involved with the business;

Partakes in vehicle stops and felony arrests, primarily for tobacco tax and cannabis enforcement;

Prepares and completes comprehensive, administrative and criminal case reports, data analysis for assigned area, time accounting and scheduling, and time and activity tracking;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: state liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor laws; laws of arrest; search and seizure; criminal procedure; rules of evidence; and constitutional law.

Ability to: secure and maintain evidence and testify in Administrative Hearings and courts of law; interact with diverse groups; remain calm/rational when communicating with irate/intoxicated people; maintain documentation regarding work activities; write concise, accurate and timely reports.