Senior Policy Analyst

VA Cannabis Control Authority; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 84,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Cannabis Control Authority is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to analyze statutes, regulations, and proposed legislation, and to prepare policy interpretations for internal and external stakeholders.

The role involves tracking legislation, drafting regulations and guidance, coordinating public comment processes, and developing plain-language summaries for licenses and the public. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Virginia legislative, administrative law, and regulatory processes.
• Strong analytical, research, and policy drafting skills.
• Ability to interpret complex statutes and regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with public health, social equity, and economic considerations in policy development.
• Experience with legislative affairs and rulemaking.
• Knowledge of compliance monitoring and performance measurement.

Responsibilities

• Analyze statutes, regulations, guidance documents, and proposed legislation to ensure agency compliance and consistency.
• Prepare legal and policy interpretations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify gaps or ambiguities in statutory and regulatory language and recommend solutions.
• Assist with tracking and reviewing legislation, preparing agency reviews and responses, and writing and distributing legislative reports.
• Monitor General Assembly committee activity.
• Assist with development of fiscal impact statements.
• Draft proposed regulations, amendments, and guidance documents.
• Coordinate public comment processes and stakeholder engagement during rulemaking.
• Develop plain-language summaries of regulatory changes for licenses and the public.
• Conduct research on cannabis industry trends, public health impacts, and regulatory best practices.
• Analyze compliance data and enforcement outcomes to inform policy decisions.
• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for leadership and legislative bodies.
• Participate in meetings with licensees, advocacy groups, and other state agencies.
• Respond to inquiries regarding regulatory requirements and compliance expectations.
• Support outreach initiatives to promote understanding of agency rules and policies.
• Evaluate regulatory risks and recommend strategies to mitigate non-compliance.
• Assist in developing compliance frameworks and enforcement protocols.
• Monitor emerging issues and propose proactive policy responses.
• Serve as a technical resource for junior analysts and agency staff.
• Collaborate with legal, licensing, and compliance teams to ensure policy alignment.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Knowledge of Virginia law/regulatory

Analytical research

Policy drafting

Written and verbal communication

Legislative affairs & rulemaking

Regulatory compliance & performance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy/Public Administration/Law

Master’s degree (preferred) in Public Policy/Law

Job description

Title: Senior Policy Analyst

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Hiring range for this position is $84,114 - $96,731, commensurate with education and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Location: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Agency Website: https://cca.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

• Analyze statutes, regulations, guidance documents, and proposed legislation to ensure agency compliance and consistency.
• Prepare legal and policy interpretations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify gaps or ambiguities in statutory and regulatory language and recommend solutions.

Policy Tracking & Development

• Assist with tracking and reviewing legislation, preparing agency reviews and responses, and writing and distributing legislative reports.
• Monitor General Assembly committee activity.
• Assist with development of fiscal impact statements.
• Draft proposed regulations, amendments, and guidance documents.
• Coordinate public comment processes and stakeholder engagement during rulemaking.
• Develop plain-language summaries of regulatory changes for licenses and the public.

Research & Data Evaluation

• Conduct research on cannabis industry trends, public health impacts, and regulatory best practices.
• Analyze compliance data and enforcement outcomes to inform policy decisions.
• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for leadership and legislative bodies.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in meetings with licensees, advocacy groups, and other state agencies.
• Respond to inquiries regarding regulatory requirements and compliance expectations.
• Support outreach initiatives to promote understanding of agency rules and policies.

Risk Assessment & Compliance Monitoring

• Evaluate regulatory risks and recommend strategies to mitigate non-compliance.
• Assist in developing compliance frameworks and enforcement protocols.
• Monitor emerging issues and propose proactive policy responses.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a technical resource for junior analysts and agency staff.
• Collaborate with legal, licensing, and compliance teams to ensure policy alignment.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

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

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of Virginia legislative, administrative law, and regulatory processes.
• Strong analytical, research, and policy drafting skills.
• Ability to interpret complex statutes and regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with public health, social equity, and economic considerations in policy development.
• Experience with legislative affairs and rulemaking.
• Knowledge of compliance monitoring and performance measurement.

Required Education and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years in regulatory analysis, policy development, or government administration, including experience with rulemaking or compliance programs.

Additional Considerations

Preferred (Optional) Education and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Law (JD), or related discipline.

Experience:

• Experience in cannabis regulation or other highly regulated industries.
• Background in legislative drafting or regulatory impact analysis.

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.