The State of Connecticut, Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA) is recruiting for a Cannabis Ombudsperson position in Hartford, CT.
They are seeking a professional who is familiar with the palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system.

They Can Offer

• A Competitive starting salary
• NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
• Paid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
• A culture that encourages work/life balance
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation
• Tuition reimbursement
• Work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 – State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
• Learn more about what sets us apart as an employer with our Employer Value Proposition.

THE ROLE
The Cannabis Ombudperson will be accountable for directing an office responsible for exercising independent monitoring over the palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system and advocacy for the interest of qualifying patients and caregivers.

The Office of the Cannabis Ombudsperson shall:

1. Represent the interests of qualifying patients and caregivers;
2. Identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, qualifying patients and caregivers;
3. Monitor the palliative use of marijuana as authorized under chapter 420f of the general statutes;
4. Report action, inaction or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or rights of qualifying patients;
5. Analyze, comment on and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and other government policies and actions concerning the health, safety, welfare and rights of qualifying patients and caregivers;
6. Recommend any changes to the laws, regulations, policies and actions described in number (5) listed above that the office deems appropriate to, among other things, improve the palliative marijuana market in this state; and
7. Facilitate public comment on the laws, regulations, policies and actions described in number (5).

Click here for a handbook for appointed officials.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Full time, 40 hours per week
• First shift hours
• In office location will be in Downtown Hartford, CT, easily accessible for all commuters.
• This hybrid role has the opportunity for telework in accordance with the telework policy.

ABOUT
Our mission at the Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA) is to assist consumers with healthcare issues through the establishment of effective outreach programs and the development of communications related to consumer rights and responsibilities as members of healthcare plans.

OHA focuses on assisting consumers in making informed decisions when selecting a health plan; assisting consumers to resolve problems with their health insurance plans and tracking trends of issues/problems, which may require administrative or legislative intervention, or advocacy with industry, the public, or other stakeholders.

To Apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
• Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Considerable knowledge of
• and ability to apply management principles and practices;
• and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations;
• palliative use of marijuana and the medical cannabis system.
• Considerable
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to use computers.