Assistant General Counsel

State of North Carolina; Wake Forest (NC); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Job summary

The State of North Carolina DHHS Division of Health Benefits seeks an Assistant General Counsel I to provide legal advice and opinions to ensure regulatory compliance in Medicaid operations. You will conduct legal research, draft legislation and administrative rules, and assist with litigation oversight, reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, with a hybrid work option.

This role collaborates with internal stakeholders to support program policy objectives and helps manage division-wide legal

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar.
• Two years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Experience interpreting federal and state laws applicable to Medicaid.
• Ability to coordinate discovery and litigation tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, support, and consultation to 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.]
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Skills

Legal analysis

Legal writing

Regulatory interpretation

Litigation support

Public records requests

Collaborative

Education

Licensed to practice law (NC State Bar)

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

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.

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

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.

Compensation And Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high‑quality, low‑cost benefits on a pre‑tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: .

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Minimum Education And Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and two years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.

NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.