Region 1 Child Welfare Permanency Specialist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Social Services

Job Classification Title

Human Services Program Consultant III (NS)

Position Number

65035382

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 Region 1 Child Welfare Permanency Specialist provides ongoing support to county child welfare programs in Region 1 by delivering monitoring, training, consultation, and technical assistance that strengthen program performance and outcomes for children and families. It directs Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, reviews records and performance‑related data, and supports counties in aligning their work with federal regulations, North Carolina General Statutes, and Administrative Rules and policies.

This role includes both on‑site and off‑site coaching and partnership with county staff to promote consistent practice and improved service delivery. It also requires building professional relationships across a multi‑county region to identify needs, address concerns, and support program advancement.

The Region 1 Child Welfare Permanency Specialist serves a region of approximately 14–16 counties, including Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.


Key Duties Include:
- Monitor county child welfare program activities to assess performance needs and identify areas requiring support.

- Deliver training and arrange technical assistance to county staff to strengthen child welfare practice and program operations.

- Direct and support county Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes to improve program functioning and outcomes.

- Conduct on‑site and off‑site consultation and coaching sessions to guide counties in applying child welfare policies and best practices.

- Review case records to evaluate practice quality, compliance, and alignment with policy expectations.

- Analyze data related to performance measures and other metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

- Build and maintain professional relationships with county partners to support collaborative problem‑solving and strengthen family‑centered outcomes.

- Provide guidance to counties to ensure alignment with federal regulations, state statutes, administrative rules, and child welfare policies.

- Serve and support a region of 14–16 counties by coordinating communication, consultation, and action planning across geographically diverse jurisdictions.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $57,983.00 - $101,470.00

Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $73,941.00

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:

• Demonstrated expert‑level experience applying North Carolina child welfare statutes, rules, policies, and best practices to guide county staff through consultation and technical assistance activities.

• Proven experience implementing change‑management and CQI strategies by delivering intensive technical assistance that strengthens county child welfare program performance.

• Established record of conducting detailed record reviews and analyzing performance‑related data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and support targeted improvements.

• Demonstrated proficiency providing structured on‑site and off‑site coaching that reinforces consistent practice and supports program alignment with state and federal requirements.

• Consistent history of building collaborative professional relationships with county partners across multi‑county regions to support problem‑solving and improve outcomes for children and families.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

This Position Is Eligible For A Fully Remote Work Option

Ideal Candidate Should Live In Or Adjacent To One Of The Following Counties: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Swain, Transylvania, Or Yancey Counties

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 the Child Welfare Services:

Child Welfare Services offers a range of programs aimed at protecting children, strengthening families, and supporting safe, permanent homes. This includes Child Protective Services, Adoption & Foster Care, and Child Placement Services. It also provides community-based supports like Child Protection Teams, independent living for youth transitioning from care, and initiatives under federal acts such as the Family First Prevention Services Act. The division manages licensing, interstate coordination, pregnancy services, safe surrender of newborns, and specialized assistance for substance-affected infants—working closely with local and state agencies to ensure child safety and promote family stability.

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 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.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form