Region 1 Child Welfare Safety Specialist

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Social Services

Job Classification Title

Human Services Program Consultant III (NS)

Position Number

60042017

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 Regional Child Welfare Safety Specialist provides monitoring, training, technical assistance, consultation, and coaching to county child welfare programs within an assigned counties. This position supports continuous quality improvement efforts by evaluating program performance, reviewing records and data, identifying areas for improvement, and assisting counties in implementing strategies that strengthen service delivery and outcomes.

The Specialist works collaboratively with county leadership and staff to ensure compliance with federal regulations, North Carolina General Statutes, Administrative Rules, and child welfare policies. Through ongoing consultation and performance monitoring, this position promotes consistent practice, accountability, and positive outcomes for children, adults, and families.

Key Duties Include:
- Monitor county child welfare programs within an assigned region to assess program performance, service delivery, and compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.

- Provide training and technical assistance to county child welfare staff, supervisors, and leadership to support policy implementation and program improvement.

- Facilitate and direct Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including identifying performance gaps, developing improvement strategies, and monitoring progress toward desired outcomes.

- Conduct on-site and virtual consultation and coaching to support county staff in applying policy, strengthening practice, and addressing operational challenges.

- Review case records and related documentation to assess compliance, quality of practice, and adherence to program standards.

- Analyze performance measures, outcome data, and other program metrics to identify trends, strengths, risks, and improvement opportunities.

- Develop and communicate recommendations based on record reviews, data analysis, and quality improvement findings.

- Assist counties in implementing corrective actions, practice improvements, and system changes designed to enhance program effectiveness and outcomes.

- Build and maintain collaborative professional relationships with county departments, community partners, and stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and improve outcomes for children, adults, and families.

- Ensure county child welfare programs remain aligned with federal regulations, North Carolina General Statutes, Administrative Rules, and established child welfare policies and procedures.

Assigned Region: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

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

Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $79, 726.00

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:

• Experience interpreting and applying North Carolina child welfare statutes, rules, policies, and best practices to provide guidance, consultation, technical assistance, and training to county child welfare staff, supervisors, and leadership.

• Demonstrated experience leading change management and implementation efforts within child welfare programs, including providing intensive technical assistance and facilitating Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes to improve program performance and outcomes.

• Experience analyzing child welfare performance data, case review findings, and quality assurance results to identify trends, assess compliance, and support data-informed decision-making.

• Expertise in building collaborative partnerships with county agencies and stakeholders to support program improvement, policy implementation, and positive outcomes for children and families.

• Skilled in developing and maintaining effective partnerships with county child welfare agencies, leadership, and stakeholders to support program improvement initiatives and enhance outcomes for children and families.

• Documented experience assessing program operations, identifying performance and practice improvement opportunities, and supporting the implementation of strategies that strengthen compliance, service delivery, and program outcomes.

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 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: .

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 .

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 View email address on aiapply.co. 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