Lead Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist

Health & Human Services; North Carolina; Remote; USD 58,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work option

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services seeks a Lead Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist to provide statewide leadership and expert guidance to Adult Services CQI Specialists across all 100 county DSS agencies. The role ensures consistent APS, Guardianship, and related services in line with federal and state regulations.

Responsibilities include performance analysis, cross‑regional CQI initiatives, and the development of statewide tools and training.

Qualifications

• Expert‑level experience applying APS, Guardianship, SAIH, Adult Services policy and statute to guide statewide program consistency and compliance.
• Proven success designing, implementing, and managing statewide CQI processes, including root‑cause analyses and large‑scale CQI initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide leadership and expert guidance to 100 county DSS agencies.
• Ensure consistent implementation of Adult Services programs in compliance with laws and policies.
• Analyze statewide program performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate statewide case reviews and guide regions in applying corrective CQI strategies.
• Develop statewide CQI tools and resources to support uniform practice.
• Organize cross‑regional training and collaboration to enhance CQI staff skills.
• Provide advanced technical assistance to regional CQI teams and county leaders.

Skills

CQI expertise

Policy guidance

Root-cause analysis

Training delivery

Tools

OAASIS dashboards

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Social Services Job Classification Title Human Services Program Consultant III (NS) Position Number 60038314 Grade NC16

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 Lead Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist provides statewide leadership and expert-level guidance to Adult Services and Special Assistance CQI Specialists and serves as a primary resource for all 100 county Departments of Social Services. The position ensures consistent implementation of Adult Protective Services, Guardianship, Special Assistance In‑Home, Adult Placement, and other Adult Services programs in alignment with federal regulations, North Carolina General Statutes, Social Services Commission rules, and Division policy. It supports statewide quality improvement through program performance analysis, coordinated case reviews, identification of systemic issues, and facilitation of corrective strategies and CQI methodologies. The role develops statewide tools, delivers advanced technical assistance, and guides cross‑regional collaboration to strengthen CQI alignment across all regions. This position functions as a statewide subject matter expert and collaborates closely with DSS leadership, regional teams, county directors and supervisors, legal partners, and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for vulnerable adults.

Key Duties

• Provide statewide leadership and expert guidance to Adult Services and Special Assistance CQI Specialists across all 100 county DSS agencies.
• Ensure consistent implementation of APS, Guardianship, SAIH, Adult Placement, and related Adult Services programs in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Analyze statewide program performance data to identify systemic issues, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate statewide case reviews and guide regions in applying corrective strategies and CQI methodologies to strengthen program performance.
• Develop statewide CQI tools, guidance materials, and technical resources to support uniform practice across counties and regions.
• Organize cross-regional training and facilitate collaboration to enhance consistency and skill development among CQI staff and Adult Services personnel.
• Provide advanced technical assistance to regional CQI teams, county DSS directors and supervisors, and other partners to improve service delivery.
• Serve as a statewide subject matter expert for APS, Guardianship, and SAIH policy and practice, offering guidance on quality improvement and program operations.
• Support statewide CQI planning by contributing to strategies that enhance accountability, consistency, and outcomes across Adult Services programs.
• Collaborate with DSS leadership, legal and judicial partners, and other stakeholders to improve service delivery and outcomes for vulnerable adults statewide.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities / Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $57,983.00 - $101,470.00 Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $97,689.00 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: Expert‑level experience applying APS, Guardianship, SAIH, Adult Placement, and Adult Services policy and statute to guide statewide program consistency and compliance. Proven success designing, implementing, and managing statewide CQI processes, including leading complex root‑cause analyses, cross‑county business process redesign, and large‑scale CQI initiatives that produced measurable improvements. Documented experience analyzing statewide or multi‑regional Adult Services performance data—including dashboards, administrative data, NC OAASIS outputs, and case review findings—to identify systemic trends and produce actionable guidance for policy and operational decisions. Demonstrated effectiveness developing and delivering statewide training, tools, coaching, and technical assistance that improved the proficiency and performance of CQI Specialists, county DSS leaders, and Adult Services staff. Established record of collaborating with statewide partners—including DHHS leadership, county DSS directors, legal and judicial partners, and community stakeholders—to align Adult Services practice and strengthen statewide outcomes, consistency, and compliance.

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 Fully Remote Work Option

About the Division of Social Services (DSS)

The Division of Social Services (DSS) provides direct services that address issues of poverty, family violence and exploitation. We aim to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable citizens, and promote self‑reliance and self‑sufficiency for individuals and families.

About Adult Services section

The Adult Services section is composed of two parts, Adult Placement Services and Adult Protection Services. Adult Placement Services help aging and disabled adults find safe, appropriate living arrangements when they can no longer remain at home. The program helps individuals move to adult care homes, nursing homes, or other supportive settings and assists with medical forms, financial paperwork, and adjusting to a new place. Services also support people who need to relocate because their care needs have changed, who want to return to more independent living, or who are having trouble maintaining their current placement due to personal or family challenges.

Adult Protective Services help protect disabled adults who may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation. County social services staff review reports, work with the adult and caregivers to address safety concerns, and take legal action when needed. They also coordinate essential services to keep the adult safe. These services are provided to any disabled adult who is found to need protection, no matter their income.

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.

Please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail].

State Application Resources / Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post‑secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we’ll get in touch if there’s a role that seems like a good match. If you are already a state employee, please search for jobs by clicking here.