Deputy Secretary for Human Services

State of North Carolina; North Carolina; On-site; USD 113,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

State of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services seeks a Deputy Secretary/Commissioner III to lead strategic planning, administration, and program oversight. The role directs long-range plans, budget, and policy development across divisions, while coordinating with executives and external stakeholders to advance the agency’s mission.

The Deputy Secretary will work with DHHS leadership, manage resources, and ensure compliance with federal/state mandates, reporting to the

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of management principles, techniques, and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions.
• Ability to direct employees and programs with innovation in planning and directing programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall administration, direction, and leadership to the management and staff of directed divisions and programs.
• Oversee long-range strategic plans, programs, goals, and accountability standards.
• Direct the accomplishment of goals through evaluation and corrective actions as needed.
• Represent programs to external stakeholders and the General Assembly as a spokesperson.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Policy development

Regulatory knowledge

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/economics or related field

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Secretary’s Office

Job Classification Title

Deputy Secretary/Commissioner III (NS)

Position Number

60037784

Grade

NC27

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

• 60% Strategic Planning, Leadership, and Administration
• Provide overall administration, direction, and leadership to the management and their staff of directed divisions, offices, and programs.
• Oversee the development of long-range comprehensive, strategic plans involving programs, missions, goals, strategies, and accountability standards and reporting mechanisms.
• Direct the accomplishment of goals and objectives through the evaluation of overall success and deficiencies, work plans and in directing corrective actions, remedies, or adjustments as necessary.
• Develop innovative approaches for improving services and streamline operations through leadership of professionals and other human resources throughout the divisions, research trends and changes in human service delivery systems.
• Hold DHHS executive management authority for budget, human resources, and physical resource allocation. Develop long-range plans, establish priorities, evaluate utilization of services and programs and future needs, and develop legislative budget proposals for considerations and requests.
• Identify opportunities and address any barriers to success that may arise across the portfolio and provide support to division directors in problem solving and developing effective and sustainable solutions.
• Represent the programs in the Human Services portfolio at the North Carolina General Assembly and across a wide range of external stakeholders as well as serve as a spokesperson in response to media inquiries.
• Work with peer leaders in other states and among federal agencies to identify best practices and build relationships that can help advance the goals of the Human Services Portfolio and DHHS.

20% Consultation to Secretary and Executive Leadership

• As Deputy Secretary, this position will be a constant resource to the DHHS Secretary.
• The Deputy Secretary will provide consultation to the Secretary on the mission, long and short-range plans and continued work of the agency.
• The Deputy Secretary will work closely with other Deputy Secretaries and key staff in department-wide, broad-based planning and strategies, and in departmental policy development.

20% Policy and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure federal and state mandates, legislation, regulatory requirements, and the Administration’s goals/missions are incorporated within the divisions/offices/programs directed.
• Provide leadership and direction in responding to federal corrective actions.
• Work with key DHHS legislative liaison staff and with legislators on proposed bills and existing legislations which impact programs, services, and budget allocations among the divisions/offices/programs directed.
• Provide oversight in the formulation of policies and procedures within each division/program.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• Thorough knowledge of management principles, techniques, and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to direct employees and programs in various areas of responsibility and to be innovative in planning and directing programs.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and with federal, state, and local officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally, including frequent public speaking.

• Knowledge of the DHHS organization, operations, and objectives to include programs and service delivery systems.
• Knowledge of and experience in managing human services programs and an understanding of the state supervised, county administered model of service delivery are highly desirable.

Salary Grade Range: $113,396.00 - $255,140.00

Recruitment Range: $113,396.00 - $197,937.00

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 EXEMPT POLICYMAKING

About the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state and federal entities and many other stakeholders to make this happen.

About the Office of the Secretary (OOS):
The Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact.

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: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

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.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

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.

Bachelor’s degree in business or economics or a related program from an appropriately accredited institution and eight (8) years of progressive experience in Agency related industry/operations, including three (3) years of supervisory experience

OR

An equivalent combination of training and experience

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.