Lead Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist

Dept of Health and Human Services

Social Services

Human Services Program Consultant III (NS)

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.

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.

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

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. 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 Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Eligible For A Fully Remote Work Option

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.

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. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

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.

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. 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

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Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veterans 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.

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.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

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

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.

DHHS Workday Support Form