As a senior level specialist, independently manages, examines and approves applications (retail or non-retail) and highly complex documentation submitted for licensing as a liquor reseller or distributor; cannabis producer, processor, or retailer; and/or a gambling facility, manufacturer, distributor and service supplier or for an individual working in a gambling activity. Ensures that established criteria and regulations are met so that licenses and special occasion permits are issued to qualified businesses and individuals. Positions are responsible for conducting a review and evaluation or investigation of the more complicated licensing applications and providing expertise and guidance on issues encountered by lower-level staff.

Issues a variety of licenses, special occasion, non-profit events, endorsements or permits and/or makes recommendations on issuance of licenses for liquor, gambling, cannabis production, processing, or distribution. The senior specialist is responsible for determining that the criteria and regulations are met so that highly complex licenses and permits are issued to qualified businesses and individuals, to include final inspections.

The senior specialist has independent decision making with the ability to approve an application. Conducts interviews/investigations and provides guidance to internal and external customers.

Liquor Licensing
Positions at this level independently review and approve complex alcohol operating plans for Sports Entertainment Facilities and renewal licenses for Amateur SEFs, including analyzing and assessing floor plans to ensure compliance with liquor laws and policies. Provides technical expertise to staff, license applicants, local authorities, the public, government officials, attorneys and others and handles the more complicated questions regarding thresholds, denial of license, due process and appeal rights pertaining to liquor licensing.

Evaluates and analyzes non-standard and unusual license applications and accompanying legal documents referred by staff. Evaluates bankruptcy and highly complex documents such as criminal records, complex maps, loan documents, law firm contracts, bank statements, leases, personal funds, complex sale agreements, management agreements, floor plans, menus, closing documents, operating plans, corporate structures and receivership documents for eligibility and issues Special Permission Letters to court-appointed trustees and receivers and any other documents that could affect the license or result in violation of WAC 314-55.

Recommends the suspension and/or revocation of existing licenses. Calculates processing fees, processes and authorizes refunds to licensees.

Monitors and coordinates activities and process of licensing programs, approves or disapproves selected license transactions for issuance of new, renewal and change licenses and recommends approval/denial of other license types.

Collaborate with Enforcement on investigations, final inspections and other inquiries as needed.

Partners with external agencies including municipalities, state, and government agencies, such as Department of Health, Department of Revenue, Attorney General’s office.

Cannabis Licensing
Positions at this level maintain an independent caseload and are responsible to ensure they are licensing the correct people to ensure public safety for Washington State.

This entails conducting extensive and complex financial investigations and vetting all members, managers, partners, shareholders or anyone considered a True Party of Interest including spouse even if holding a one percent ownership. This includes reviewing criminal history, violation history, residency, number and type of licenses held to ensure license types do not cross tiers.

The investigation includes an evaluation of complex documents such as multilevel business structures, purchase and sale agreements, bank statements, operating and floor plans, lease or sublease agreements, promissory notes, etc.

In addition, the specialist must vet all financiers of a cannabis business to include obtaining and reviewing criminal history and conducting a financial investigation.

Ensure cannabis retailers issued under I502 and 5052 remain in their originally awarded jurisdiction per rule.

Specialists are required to be knowledgeable in understanding and interpreting RCW’s and WAC’s pertaining to retail and non-retail cannabis licenses, including cooperatives and endorsements to ensure licensing requirements are being met as well as maintained.

Positions at this level evaluate non-routine cannabis applications such as those involving applicants with a criminal history, suspected ownership issues, corporate structure changes and changes in ownership, more than 30 locations, public protests or locations too close to a school. Ensures that the operating plan includes detailed security provisions, traceability of product, transportation, growing operations, processing procedures, waste disposal and testing, and conducts on-site inspections as necessary. Calculates processing fees and processes and authorizes refunds to licensees.

Collaborates with enforcement and finance on investigations for TPI’s, unpaid taxes, final inspections and other inquiries as needed.

Partners with external agencies including municipalities, state, and government agencies, such as Department of Health, Department of Revenue, Attorney General’s office and Local Authorities.

Gambling Licensing
Positions at this level review and approve licenses for Risk Level 1 and 2 commercial business and charitable/nonprofit applicants. Evaluates and makes recommendations for licenses of Risk Level 3 commercial business and charitable/nonprofit applicants. Risk levels are based on profits made, complexity of applications and exposure of risk to the public. Handles the more complicated applications for organizations that are publicly traded or have multiple levels of ownership. Processes applications with criminal history and conducts annual on-site Class III gaming employee certification/eligibility determination reviews as set forth in the Tribal-State Compacts and/or Memorandums of Understanding. Provides technical expertise to staff, license applicants, government officials, attorneys and others.

Evaluates Bankruptcy and Receivership documents for eligibility and issues Special Permission Letters to court-appointed Trustees and Receivers.

Reviews and addresses quality control issues; develops, implements, directs and coordinates workload flow and processes;

Monitors and coordinates activities and processes of a licensing program (s); approves or disapproves selected license transactions for issuance of new, renewal and change licenses and recommends approval/denial of other license types; examines non-standard and unusual license applications and accompanying legal documents referred by staff and depending on complexity of the transaction or nature of the issue, completes the process or provides specific or general instructions to assigned staff;

Handles the more complicated questions regarding thresholds, denial of license, due process and appeal rights pertaining to liquor, marijuana and/or gambling licensing from representatives, the general public and other agencies; consults with, assists, and provides expertise to staff, license applicants, the public, government officials, attorneys, and others on technical matters involving applicable statutes, regulations, laws, policies and procedures;

Provides oral and written qualifications assessment and licensing information to applicants, business professionals, staff and local, state and federal agencies;

Provides training and other presentations to agency staff, state agencies and/or the public;

Recommends the suspension and/or revocation of existing licenses, changes to laws, rules, procedures, and other projects, transactions, and activities;

Performs other duties as required.

One year of experience as a Licensing Specialist;

OR

Three years of experience including analyzing and interpreting program financial documents, laws and regulations for license qualification and issuance and interviewing and research/review duties involving public contact;

OR

An Associate of Arts degree involving major study in accounting, finance, business or public administration, criminal justice, or related field and one year of experience.

Equivalent education/experience.