Assistant General Counsel

nc; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Health Benefits seeks an Assistant Agency General Counsel I (NS) to provide legal advice, support regulatory compliance, and protect Medicaid operations. You will conduct research, draft opinions, and guide policy interpretation for division programs.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the role supports Medicaid managed care transformation, state plan amendments, and waivers, coordinating with stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Experience conducting legal research and providing formal opinions.
• Ability to interpret federal/state laws and regulations impacting Medicaid.
• Experience drafting state/federal legislation and administrative rules.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and consultation to the Division of Health Benefits.
• Conduct legal research and prepare formal opinions on division operations.
• Advise on Medicaid managed care transformations and waivers.
• Draft and refine legislation and regulatory language for division use.
• Interpret laws and guide regulatory compliance for Medicaid programs.
• Support litigation oversight and coordination of discovery.

Skills

Legal research

Regulatory interpretation

Legislation drafting

Litigation coordination

Public records requests

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division HEALTH BENEFITS

Job Classification Title Assistant Agency General Counsel I (NS)

Position Number 60042720

Grade LG08

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well‑being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Assistant General Counsel provides legal advice, support, and consultation to all sections within the Division of Health Benefits to ensure regulatory compliance and protect the legal integrity of Medicaid operations. It conducts legal research, reviews and drafts legislation and administrative rules, and issues legal opinions on matters impacting the division.

This role supports Medicaid managed care transformation, state plan amendments, waivers, and regulatory interpretation for divisions across the organization. It assists with litigation oversight, including discovery, and contributes to legislative and rulemaking activities. The position reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer and helps manage the legal function of the division as designated.

Key Duties Include:

• Provide legal advice, support, and consultation to all sections within the Division of Health Benefits.
• Conduct legal research and prepare formal legal opinions on issues impacting division operations.
• Advise on Medicaid managed care transformation, state plan amendments, and waiver activities.
• Review, draft, and refine legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory language for division use.
• Interpret federal and state laws, regulations, and court decisions relevant to Medicaid programs.
• Support litigation oversight by assisting with discovery and coordination of legal documentation.
• Provide legal guidance on regulatory compliance matters affecting Medicaid operations.
• Serve as a legal point person for DHB legislation and rulemaking efforts.
• Assist the Chief Legal Officer in managing division‑wide legal functions and operational priorities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure sound legal guidance supports program and policy objectives.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $91,249.00 - $159,686.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated history of evaluating complex legal issues and producing clear, well‑supported written opinions and oral guidance based on structured legal analysis.
• Proven experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws, regulations, and court decisions that directly impact Medicaid program operations and compliance activities.
• Documented success drafting, reviewing, and refining State and federal legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory proposals to support division policy and program development.
• Demonstrated experience managing litigation‑related tasks by coordinating discovery efforts, preparing legal materials, and supporting legal strategy for Medicaid‑related matters.
• Established record providing legal guidance on data‑sharing agreements and public records requests within regulated environments requiring adherence to statutory and administrative requirements.

This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option

EHRA: Per G.S. 126-5(c1) (37), This Position Is EXEMPT From All Provisions Of NC General Statute Chapter 126 (State Human Resources Act) With The Exception Of Articles 6 and 7.

About the NC Division of Health Benefits:

The Division of Health Benefits (DHB) within NCDHHS is committed to advancing innovative solutions that improve health, promote well‑being and foster independence for all North Carolinians. DHB manages and oversees North Carolina Medicaid and other programs that provide access to services and supports for parents, children, seniors, people with intellectual / developmental disabilities, and behavioral health, substance use and traumatic brain injury disorders. With a budget over $27 billion in state and federal funds per fiscal year, DHB ensures that more than 108,000 enrolled providers are reimbursed for delivering covered services to 3.1 million beneficiaries.

All positions in the Division of Health Benefits are exempt from the State Human Resources Act (G.S. 126) except for the provisions of Articles 6 and 7 per HB 372 Section 20.

This Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date