Retail Services Technician

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is recruiting for a permanent, full-time Retail Services Technician (Program Analyst 3) in our Retail Services Division.

The purpose of this position is to develop and maintain standards of operation and business processes for the Retail Services Division. This position serves as the subject matter expert for retail services matters and represents the division to external partners and stakeholders. This position trains and educates new retail services staff members. This position manages or assists with special projects and events such as chance to purchase, agent education, and retail expansion. The position stays aware of changing laws or rules and how those rules will affect retail services operations and proposes new laws or rules when necessary for business operations. This position evaluates the effectiveness of business operations and proposes or develops changes to ensure processes are modernized and efficient. This position maintains the operational manuals and contracts utilized by retail sales agents and distillery retail agents.

Who are we?

The OLCC is the agency responsible for regulating the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in Oregon by administering the state's Liquor Control Act and regulating the production, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana in Oregon through the Control, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act.

The agency is comprised of three major operational programs; the Distilled Spirits Program, the Recreational Marijuana Program, and the Public Safety Program. All three programs are supported by the Administration, Financial Services, and Support Services divisions. Revenue generated from these programs helps support state and local government programs. The OLCC distributed more than $600.4 million in the last two years to Oregon’s General Fund, Cities, Counties, and Drug/Alcohol Abuse Programs. This money helps fund essential services such as schools, police, and healthcare for Oregonians.

The Distilled Spirits Program oversees the distribution and sale of distilled spirits in the state. The Distilled Spirits division centrally purchases, warehouses, and distributes distilled spirits to Oregon’s independently operated liquor stores. OLCC’s Public Safety Program licenses and regulates businesses in the alcohol industry such as manufacturers, wholesalers, bars, restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores.

The Recreational Marijuana Program is exclusively authorized to make recreational marijuana available to consumers and licensed businesses through retail marijuana stores. The program also tracks the growing, transporting, processing, and selling of recreational marijuana products. The Public Safety Program is responsible for licensing and regulating the operation of the recreational marijuana industry in Oregon.

The following list represents the general responsibilities of the Retail Services Technician.

• Develops rules, standards and procedures relating to the Retail Services Division. Develops liquor store operational criteria and standards. Develops and maintains operational manuals & contracts at manager’s direction, including delivery processes and procedures for new or revised requirements. Develops and maintains retail services templates, forms, applications, form letters, and other documents related to retail services functions. Develops and revises store related business processes such as the agent application process, legal entity transitions, and emergency agent appointments. Evaluates and recommends retail services policy, direction and guidance by researching, interpreting, and analyzing laws, case precedents, agency policy, and legislative intent. Makes recommendations including policy rationale are made to OLCC staff, managers or executive staff orally and in writing.

• Evaluates and recommends on the structure of the retail services program by researching and analyzing, independently and in committee work, program purpose, state statute, and administrative law. Identifies ways to improve the program. Reviews program records for compliance to policy, rules or other requirements. Recommends adjustments needed to achieve program effectiveness. Researches laws, case precedents and legislative intent to recommend policy direction and ensure successful operations.

• Represents the Commission to and builds collaborative relationships with sales agents, suppliers, applicants and their representatives; and to the public and to local and state government agencies or departments, by giving technical advice and policy interpretation explaining retail services programs, policies, laws and procedures orally and in writing.

• Identifies need, develops concepts and drafts language for new retail services laws and administrative rules. Conducts research and prepares analysis and recommendations on proposed legislation and administrative rules.

• Monitors statewide business operational direction to sales agents to ensure consistency.

• Coordinates and manages the quarterly Chance to Purchase event. Collaborates with other involved agency divisions to ensure smooth operation of the event. Participates as a member of the winner selection committee. Creates event informational material. Responds to event inquiries from sales agents, the public, and other OLCC divisions. Develops and coordinates event operational procedures.

• Coordinates agent education events. Collaborates with other OLCC divisions for event operational needs. Collaborates with external parties or vendors to coordinate involvement in the event.

• May serve as OLCC project lead in opening new stores or implementing new programs.

• Assists with and coordinates retail expansion projects on an as needed basis. Identifies and evaluates potential new retail store sites. Coordinates with other staff and external partners to analyze demographics, traffic counts, and other information pertinent to selecting locations.

• Serves as retail services representative on rules advisory committees for rule changes or implementations that may affect division operations.

• Represents OLCC to the public, civic groups, government agencies, and the alcoholic beverage industry. Responds to general public inquiries related to retail services. Coordinates with OLCC wholesale operations, information systems, financial services, and public safety to improve service for liquor stores, resolve discrepancies and address agent issues. Serves as a retail services representative for intra-departmental issues and collaboration.

• Participates as a retail services team member for technology system upgrade projects.

• Advises division director or other agency staff about potential store or agent issues.

• Manages or participates in special projects or works on other tasks as assigned by division director. May serve on task forces.

• Attends or participates in commission meetings, liquor agents meetings, liquor agent conventions, distillery representatives’ meetings; product listing committee sessions, district meetings, staff meetings or other forums to represent the commission, gather agents’ input, constructively problem solve and exchange information.

• In the division director’s absence, presents retail services business to the Commission.

• Serves as a subject matter expert in administrative hearings.

• Provides technical guidance to Retail Services staff. Reviews work of and provides guidance to Retail Services staff. Serves as retail services subject matter expert to other staff.

• Provides technical advice to and represents retail services to retail sales agents and distillery retail outlet agents.

• Assists district managers with store relocations, including logistics and site selection.

• In conjunction with existing district managers, trains new retail services staff members.

• Informs and trains division or applicable agency staff on new business processes, rules, and laws.

• Evaluates retail services staff work and provides feedback as necessary.

• Analyzes impact of law changes for executive staff, management and staff.

What do you need to qualify? Minimum Qualifications: 

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or a degree related to the agency program that demonstrates the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and four years experience coordinating or administering a program

OR;

Any combination of experience or education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skill requirements listed for the classification.

What we are looking for (Desired Attributes):

• Ability to work autonomously and multi-task on multiple projects at once while exercising sound judgement

• Knowledgeable in retail management, OLCC retail store operations, & the ability to understand contracts.

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.

Note:  You must clearly describe your experience in each area listed in your cover letter. Failure to provide this information may result in eliminating your application from further consideration.

How are candidates selected?

The selection process consists of a review of your application and an evaluation of your education, experience, training, and overall professionalism of your application materials.  Candidates that follow the application directions, submit what is required and provide us with credentials that showcase their skills and how they meet the minimum qualifications and desired attributes will be invited to an interview. Resumes will not replace the completed job history experience in Workday.  We will only review documents that are requested. Because details are really important to us, your application materials will be evaluated for grammar, spelling and punctuation. 

What's in it for you?

• 11 paid holidays per year.

• 8 hours of vacation leave earned per month, eligible to be used after 6 months of service.

• 8 hours of sick leave earned per month, eligible to be used as accrued.

• 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service.

• Click to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

• A workplace that fosters fairness, equity, and inclusion to maintain a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

• A healthy work/life balance, with opportunities for hybrid remote work.