Special Assistant (Strategic Advisor for the Center for Excellence) - VID 227085

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Review Vacancy

Date Posted 10/15/26

Applications Due10/31/26

Vacancy ID227085

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NY HELPSNo

55-b/c EligibleNo

AgencyCannabis Management, Office of

TitleSpecial Assistant (Strategic Advisor for the Center for Excellence) - VID 227085

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary RangeFrom $108544 to $137206 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Temporary

InternshipNo

Jurisdictional Class Exempt Class

Travel Percentage 10%

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

County New York

Street Address 59 Maiden Lane

City New York

StateNY

Zip Code10038

Duties Description The Strategic Advisor for the Center of Excellence will serve as a strategic advisor supporting the implementation and growth of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management's Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity. The Center of Excellence is a statewide initiative that brings together healthcare providers, public health professionals, researchers, academic institutions, and government partners to strengthen the integration of cannabis into healthcare and public health practice. Its work spans provider and public health education, access, and navigation across New York's medical and adult-use cannabis programs.

The Strategic Advisor for the Center of Excellence will help translate the vision of the Center of Excellence into sustainable programs, policies, partnerships, and investments. Working across the Health and Scientific Affairs (HSA) Division and with partners throughout New York State, the position will manage and support complex initiatives involving clinical and public health education, research, health systems, population health, and the translation of emerging evidence into policy and practice.

The role will also provide high-level policy and regulatory analysis across the Public Health and Education portfolio. The Strategic Advisor for the Center of Excellence will evaluate complex and emerging issues, synthesize scientific, legal, regulatory, and programmatic information, weigh competing considerations, and develop clear options and recommendations for leadership. This includes supporting the review and revision of cannabis regulations from a health and safety perspective and assessing changes in federal law, regulation, guidance, and policy that may affect New York State.

Duties include but may not be limited to:

• Manage and support the implementation of the Center of Excellence, translate strategic priorities into programs, policies, workplans, implementation strategies, and other deliverables.
• Develop approaches to evaluate program implementation and effectiveness, identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, and translate findings into recommendations for program and policy changes.
• Support the development of grants, contracts, procurements, memoranda, and other mechanisms necessary to implement and expand Center of Excellence initiatives.
• Research and analyze statutes, regulations, guidance, policies, scientific literature, program experience, and approaches used in New York and other jurisdictions to inform policy and regulatory development.
• Evaluate complex and emerging policy and regulatory issues, considering available evidence, statutory and legal requirements, public health implications, operational feasibility, stakeholder impacts, risks, tradeoffs, and potential unintended consequences, and develop recommendations for agency leadership.
• Support the development and revision of regulations, guidance, communications, standard operating procedures, and other materials within the HSA portfolio.
• Develop policy memoranda, regulatory analyses, briefing materials, decision documents, reports, recommendations, and other written products for senior leadership and external audiences.
• Monitor significant federal legislative, regulatory, administrative, and policy developments related to cannabis, cannabinoids, controlled substances, healthcare, research, and public health; assess their implications for New York State programs and policies; and identify potential agency responses.
• Manage and provide direction to staff supporting Center of Excellence programs and other PHE priorities.
• Represent PHE on internal, interagency, and external workgroups and provide policy and program expertise as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications A bachelors degree and five years of relevant experience.*

• Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate's degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor's degree; J.D. or master's degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

This position requires exceptional critical thinking, judgment, research, and writing skills as well as the ability to independently take on complex questions, and the ability to translate analysis into practical recommendations and high-quality written products. The Strategic Advisor for the Center of Excellence will also supervise staff and coordinate work across internal and external partners.

Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Experience working in public policy, public administration, public health, law, regulatory affairs, health care, health policy, or a related field.
• Implementation, development and/or management of complex programs or initiatives.
• Experience with grant, procurement, or contract development and implementation.
• Experience translating scientific evidence, statutes, regulations, government guidance, policy developments, and/or program data into actionable policy or program recommendations.

NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.

Additional Comments NOTE:

• Travel may be required (approximately 10%), including during evening and weekends, depending on mission and assignment.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver's License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is required or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job.

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply. For a full version of OCM's EEO/AA statement and benefits of joining OCM, please visit: About | Office of Cannabis Management (ny.gov). NYS Office of Cannabis Management does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Downstate: Location Pay of $4,150.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Human Resources/JHG

Telephone 518-473-5282

Fax 518-486-1631

Email Address HRresumes@ogs.ny.gov

Address

Street NYS Office of General Services, HRM

31st Floor Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12242

Notes on ApplyingPlease submit a resume and cover letter to HRresumes@ogs.ny.gov detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications along with the month/year and, if less than full time, the average hours worked per week for each position listed. Indicate the Position Title & Vacancy ID number of each position you are applying to.

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