Adoption Consultant

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Social Services

Job Classification Title

Human Services Program Consultant II (NS)

Position Number

60041987

Grade

NC15

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 Adoption Consultant supports statewide adoption and permanency efforts, providing consultation and guidance across assigned program areas. The position facilitates the Confidential Intermediary Program by assisting community members, clerks of court, and agencies seeking support with sealed adoption records and related inquiries. It also conducts continuous quality improvement reviews of completed adoption cases to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, and policies.

This role includes approving and entering case information into the designated data management system to generate documentation required for adoptive families. The position operates within a statewide program environment that requires technical expertise, program coordination, and effective communication with diverse partners.


Key Duties Include:
– Facilitate the Confidential Intermediary Program by providing consultation to community members, clerks of court, and agencies regarding sealed adoption records.

– Review completed adoption cases for compliance with state and federal laws, administrative rules, and agency policies.

– Enter and approve case information within the designated data management system to ensure accurate documentation for issuance of birth certificates.

– Interpret adoption‑related rules, statutes, and policies to support program operations and guide stakeholders.

– Coordinate program functions and communications across statewide permanency and adoption service areas.

– Analyze program requirements and identify needed improvements to strengthen adoption case processing workflows.

– Prepare and maintain program documentation, records, and case information in alignment with established standards.

– Collaborate with county departments of social services and other partners involved in adoption and permanency services.

– Provide consultation and technical assistance to support quality, consistency, and compliance within adoption program activities.

– Manage multiple tasks and priorities to meet deadlines and ensure timely completion of program responsibilities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $55,221.00 - $96,639.00

Recruitment Range: $55,221.00 - $68,861.00

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: 

• Demonstrates expert proficiency interpreting state and federal adoption laws, administrative rules, and program policies to support accurate case review and decision‑making.

• Applies advanced skill in conducting detailed quality‑improvement reviews of adoption case files, including identifying compliance issues and documenting corrective needs within established standards.

• Utilizes intermediate proficiency in operating the PATH NC data management system and Microsoft Office applications to enter, review, and prepare required adoption‑related documentation.

• Demonstrates expert‑level experience collaborating with county departments of social services, community partners, and court personnel to resolve adoption‑related inquiries and support program operations.

• Applies advanced capability in managing large volumes of work, prioritizing case tasks, and organizing time effectively to meet program deadlines and varied professional demands.

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

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

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 Permanency Planning Services:
Permanency Planning (PP) Services are provided to children who must be separated from their own parents or caretakers when they are unable or unwilling to provide adequate protection and care. As a result, the child enters the custody of a North Carolina County child agency (CWA). When this happens, the county CWA has legal custody and/or placement responsibility. County child welfare (CW) custody must not be considered until reasonable efforts have been made to preserve a child’s safety, health, and well-being in their own home. CWAs are required to provide services to preserve or reunify families until parental rights have been terminated by the juvenile court.

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. 

               

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. 

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. 

• 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 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 [email protected]. 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:

Tresha Walker

Email:

[email protected]