Lead Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist

State of North Carolina; United States; Remote; USD 58,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

NC Flex benefits

Paid vacation and sick leave

Parental leave

Job summary

The Dept of Health and Human Services in North Carolina seeks a Lead Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist to provide statewide leadership to 100 county DSS CQI teams and ensure compliant, high‑quality adult services programs. You will analyze performance data, guide cross‑regional CQI initiatives, and develop statewide tools.

This role emphasizes advanced technical assistance, training, and collaboration with DSS leadership, legal partners, and stakeholders to improve outcomes for

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a discipline relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline relative to the program area from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of related experience.
• Equivalency accepted with combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• 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 line with 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.

Skills

Policy expertise

CQI leadership

Data analysis

Training & coaching

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in related field

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 Include:

• 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.

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.

Master’s degree in a discipline relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of related experience

OR

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline relative to the program area from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of related experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education 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.