Supervises, plans, directs and coordinates the functions of a unit or team of liquor, marijuana and/or gambling license specialists in order to ensure established criteria and regulations are met so that licenses and permits are issued to qualified businesses and individuals.  

Reviews, approves and disapproves selected license transactions for issuance of new, renewal and change licenses and recommends approval/denial of other license types; examines non-standard and unusual license applications and accompanying legal documents referred by staff and depending on complexity of the transaction or nature of the issue, completes the process or provides specific or general instructions to assigned staff.

Positions at this level interview job candidates, train, initiate corrective/disciplinary actions; evaluate and address quality control issues; develop, implement, direct and coordinate workload flow and processes.

Supervises, monitors and coordinates activities and processes of a licensing program(s); approves or disapproves selected license transactions for issuance of new, renewal and change licenses, recommends approval/denial of other license types; examines non-standard and unusual license applications and accompanying legal documents referred by staff; depending on complexity of the transaction or nature of the issue, completes the process and provides specific or general instructions to assigned staff;

Seeks attorney general guidance, advice and interpretation of laws, rules and impasse, handles the more complicated questions requiring legal interpretation, thresholds, denial of license, due process and appeal rights pertaining to liquor, marijuana and/or gambling licensing from applicants and/or their representatives, the general public and other agencies; interprets RCW, WAC and/or Tribal-State Compact of Memorandums of Understanding; consults with, assists, and provides expertise to staff, license applicants, the public, government officials, attorneys, and others on technical matters involving applicable statutes, regulations, laws, policies and procedures; 

Provides oral and written licensing information to licensees, applicants, and agency staff; 

Directs and assists staff functioning in liaison with other state, local or federal agencies to obtain information to verify or coordinate statutory and WAC rule requirements or to resolve problems prior to recommending licensure, re-licensure, or other functions; conducts license data quality control reviews; 

Summarizes and compiles monthly statistics on staff productivity; composes correspondence to licensees, applicants and agency staff; 

Recommends the suspension and/or revocation of existing licenses, changes to laws, rules, procedures and other projects, transactions, and activities; makes determinations on assignment of investigations; 

Represents unit manager at meetings and acts in place of manager during absences; provides training and other presentations to agency staff, other agencies and/or the public; 

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: departmental programs, licensing policies and procedures; research methods and data collections; corporate laws of the state, real estate transactions, and license certification and recertification procedures; office practices; statistical record keeping; efficient use of resources, principles of communication and counseling. 

Ability to: read, interpret, and apply complex laws, policies and procedures; recognize, answer and solve complex licensing problems; maintain positive public relations; plan, schedule and coordinate multiple projects.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

One year of experience as a Licensing Specialist Senior.  

OR 

Three years of lead or supervisory experience within a regulatory agency.

New class consolidates (formerly 48412 Gambling License Supervisor; 48930 Liquor License Specialist 3 ); adopted May 11, 2007 Effective July 1 2007
Revised definition, general revision, effective August 9, 2013
Revised title, definition, and added distinguishing characteristics; adopted May 14, 2015, effective May 15, 2015.
Revised title, definition and DCs; adopted August 13, 2015; effective August 14, 2015.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.