Compliance and Enforcement Inspector (East)

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority seeks a Compliance and Enforcement Inspector to conduct inspections, enforce cannabis regulations, and promote safe industry practices across the East Region and statewide. The role emphasizes rigorous investigations, stakeholder collaboration, and accurate reporting.

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2–3 years in investigations or inspections, with strong communication and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• 2–3 years of experience in investigations, inspections, regulatory compliance, law enforcement, or related field.
• Experience preparing investigative reports and handling evidence.
• Experience in a regulated industry or government agency.

Responsibilities

• Understand cannabis regulatory frameworks, licensing, product safety, testing, packaging and security requirements.
• Interpret statutes, administrative rules, and agency policies.
• Identify violations and assess compliance risks.
• Conduct interviews, collect evidence, and document findings.
• Perform surveillance, review records, and analyze operational data.
• Prepare clear, defensible investigative reports.
• Conduct inspections of cannabis facilities including cultivation, manufacturing, testing and retail.
• Evaluate security systems, inventory controls, seed-to-sale tracking, and product safety compliance.
• Explain regulatory requirements and compliance expectations to licensees and stakeholders.

Skills

Investigation methods

Inspections

Regulatory compliance

Report writing

Interviews

Data analysis

Communication

Due process

Stakeholder relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Regulatory Affairs/Public Administration or related field

Job description

Title: Compliance and Enforcement Inspector

State Role Title:Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Hiring range for this position is $73,142 - $84,114 , commensurate with education and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Location:VA Cannabis Control Authority

Agency Website:cca.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (VCCA) is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Compliance and Enforcement Inspector. This position supports VCCA’s mission by conducting inspections, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting safe and responsible industry practices across designated regions of the Commonwealth.

This position is assigned to the East Region within our statewide operating structure. We currently support four distinct regions for this role. A separate job posting is available for each region, and candidates should apply to the posting that matches their preferred or applicable geographic area.

Region 4 (HSA 5) – East

A map of the regions is available via the link provided in the job advertisement below. Upon opening the link, please ensure that you click the "Map" button to view the regional areas.

https://cca.virginia.gov/datadashboard

Job Duties

Regulatory Compliance & Interpretation

• Understanding of cannabis laws, licensing requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to interpret statutes, administrative rules, and agency policies.
• Skill in identifying violations and assessing compliance risks.

Investigative Techniques

• Competency in conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and documenting findings.
• Ability to perform surveillance, review records, and analyze operational data.
• Skill in preparing clear, defensible investigative reports.

Inspection & Monitoring

• Ability to conduct inspections of cannabis facilities, including cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and retail.
• Competency in evaluating security systems, inventory controls, seed to sale tracking, and product safety compliance.

Communication & Stakeholder Interaction

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with licensees, community members, and partner agencies.
• Skill in explaining regulatory requirements and compliance expectations.

Analytical & Critical Thinking

• Ability to analyze complex information and identify patterns or discrepancies.
• Skill in assessing risk, determining severity of violations, and recommending appropriate actions.

Professionalism & Ethical Conduct

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Strong integrity, impartiality, and adherence to due process.
• Ability to manage conflict and maintain composure in challenging situations.

Other duties as assigned

• Follow workplace safety regulations and adhere to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for your position.
• Report unsafe work conditions to your supervisor.
• Immediately report work-related incidents to your supervisor and participate in accident investigation requests.

Minimum Qualifications

• Cannabis regulatory frameworks, including licensing, product safety, testing, packaging, labeling, and security requirements.
• Investigative methods, evidence handling, and administrative enforcement processes.
• Public health and safety principles related to cannabis production and consumption.
• Inspection protocols and documentation standards.
• Conducting interviews, inspections, and investigations.
• Writing clear, accurate, and defensible reports.
• Data analysis and compliance monitoring.
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation.Time management and case prioritization.
• Work independently and as part of a regional enforcement team.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain objectivity.
• Communicate complex regulatory requirements in a clear, accessible manner.
• Adapt to evolving laws, technologies, and regulatory priorities.
• Build professional relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Regulatory Affairs, Environmental Health, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Required Experience

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in investigations, inspections, regulatory compliance, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Experience preparing investigative reports and handling evidence.
• Experience working in a regulated industry or government agency.

Additional Considerations

Optional / Preferred Education

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Law, Regulatory Compliance, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as:
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Inspector/Investigator credentials
• Compliance or regulatory certifications

Optional / Preferred Experience

• Experience in cannabis regulation, enforcement, or compliance.
• Experience with seed to sale tracking systems or cannabis inventory management.
• Experience conducting administrative or criminal investigations.
• Experience in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, food safety, or other highly regulated sectors.

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: VCCA Recruitment Team

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

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 [phone] 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.