Deputy Assistant Director for Policy and Program Improvement

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Child and Family Well Being

Job Classification Title

Human Services Program Manager II (NS)

Position Number

65044716

Grade

NC20

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 Deputy Assistant Director directs policy, training, and quality assurance work that connects statewide Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) requirements to decisions in 100 county departments of social services. This position supervises the SNAP Policy Manager, Policy Implementation and Training Manager and the FNS Quality Assurance Manager and indirectly supervises 18 new positions across the units. Ensures through three-unit heads, that an identified payment error rate leads to a clear response-a policy clarification, a system correction, a change in training or a county improvement measure supported by evidence. Establishes priorities with the Assistant Director and Deputy Director of Nutrition. Assigns resources and holds the units accountable for completing critical FNS work. The position coordinates with the deputy coordinates with Quality Control and Quality Assurance and Data Analysis staff to assess results. Prioritizes lower error rates without avoidable relays, unnecessary verification demands or loss of benefits for eligible households.

Key responsibilities include:

Program direction and staff management: Directs the SNAP Policy Manager, the Policy Implementation and Training Manager and the Statewide FNS Quality Assurance (QA) Manager. Establishes work plans, assigns responsibility for shared projects, reviews performance and develops the managers' ability to lead their units. Resolves competing priorities using the seriousness of the problem, effects on households, county capacity and available evidence. Exercises delegated operational authority and refers decisions reserved to division or departmental leadership.

Payment-accuracy strategy and evaluation: Sets improvement priorities from Quality Control (QC) findings, county assessments and research. Distinguishes problems that require statewide action from those that can be addressed through a county's improvement work. Requires each major intervention to identify its expected result and a practical way to measure it. Reviews effects on payment accuracy, timeliness, participant access and administrative burden before recommending wider use.

Policy, system change and training integration: Approves each proposed North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology (NC FAST) change request and its policy requirements after the SNAP Policy Manager and the Policy Implementation and Training Manager prepare them jointly, before the request goes to the Assistant Director and the Deputy Director for Nutrition. Once approved, the request passes to Human Services Business Information and Analytics (HSBIA) for product development with NC FAST; the deputy sets the Section's change-request priorities with HSBIA, including work funded under S.L. 2026-41, section 9B.7(a)(1). Decides program readiness before a change is released, on the advice of the Policy Implementation and Training Manager, with the FNS Manual aligned and county notice issued first. NC FAST keeps technical release authority. Convenes a review of results after release with QA, QC and the Quality Assurance and Data Analysis unit. Works with DSS leadership to align statewide and regional training with county assistance. Resolves issues that cross unit boundaries and keeps urgent policy questions from delaying needed county support.

County assessment and improvements: Establishes the QA operating process with DSS leadership, including common assessment tools, regional coordination and clear county contacts for findings and assistance. Develops proposed criteria for when a county needs a payment-accuracy improvement plan, reassessment schedules and completion standards for departmental adoption. Oversees the process under delegated authority and elevates matters requiring formal departmental action.

Resources and accountability: Manages approved staffing and operating resources. Documents implementation, unresolved risks and results for departmental decisions and legislative reporting. Coordinates program projects with HSBIA, the NC FAST eligibility system, the Data Office and DSS. Agrees on deliverables and schedules with their leaders and resolves delays that affect policy, training or county assessments.

Prefer applicants with SNAP experience or another state-supervised, locally administered benefit program and experience with directing program improvement, quality assurance or policy implementation across multiple areas.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $70,487 - $123,336

Recruitment Range $70,487 - $96,908

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

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred:

- Thorough knowledge of public assistance program administration and the relationship among policy, quality assurance, training and county operations.

- Demonstrated experience supervising professional or managerial staff and directing multiple program functions.

- Demonstrated ability to interpret federal and state requirements and exercise delegated authority with documented judgment.

- Experience allocating resources, managing implementation and evaluating program outcomes across organizations.

- Demonstrated ability to negotiate responsibilities and communicate complex findings to county and departmental leaders.

Physical Requirements (If Applicable):

- Ability to operate office equipment such as computer, printer, copier, and scanner. Lifting up to 10 pounds.

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

About the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being:
The Division of Child and Family Well-Being is a division at the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) that will focus on supporting whole child and family health and well-being for North Carolinians with several sections including nutrition programs (WIC, SNAP and Child and Adult Care Food Program), health & prevention services for children and youth, children’s behavioral health programs, and early intervention programs. The Operations Unit is in the Community Nutrition Services Section (CNSS) in the Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW).

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 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.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-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 their 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: 

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.

Master's degree in a disciple specific to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in the area of assignment, including two years in a supervisory or consultative capacity.

OR

Bachelor's degree in a discipline specific to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in the area of assignment, including two years in a supervisory or consultative capacity.

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.

Recruiter:

LaWanna Baker

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form