Compliance Specialist

State of North Carolina

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Section within the Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) administers federal and state-funded programs designed to support economic development, neighborhood revitalization, housing recovery, and infrastructure improvements across North Carolina. The unit ensures compliance with HUD regulations, environmental standards, and cross-cutting federal requirements while providing technical assistance and oversight to local governments and subrecipients.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in city and regional planning from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in community planning; or Bachelor’s degree in engineering, political science, geography, economics, or related field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in community planning work including completion of a formal in-service training program in community planning; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying and interpreting regulations such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program requirements, Fair Housing Act, Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act, Davis-Bacon Act, and Civil Rights compliance.
• Experience conducting environmental reviews in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and processing Requests for Release of Funds (RROFs) for federally funded programs.
• Experience reviewing, analyzing, and ensuring accuracy of compliance-related reports such as Annual Performance Reports, Semi-Annual Labor Standards Reports, and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.
• Experience in providing training and technical assistance to local governments, subrecipients, and internal staff on compliance requirements; ability to clearly communicate complex regulations both orally and in writing.
• Experience with implementing and monitoring cross-cutting requirements including Equal Opportunity, Section 504 accessibility standards, and procurement regulations under 2 CFR Part 200.

Responsibilities

• Review and process complex environmental review records and Requests for Release of Funds to ensure compliance with NEPA and HUD regulations for CDBG and related programs.
• Provide technical assistance, monitoring, and consultation to grantees and subrecipients on federal and state requirements, including Fair Housing, Section 3, labor standards, and procurement policies.
• Coordinate interagency reporting, support statewide planning documents, and conduct site monitoring and training to maintain program integrity.
• Lead compliance data collection, track project progress, and exercise authority to approve or deny environmental reviews and regulatory plans.

Benefits

• 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans
• WeSave Employee Discounts
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level