Section Chief, County Operations

State of North Carolina

2d

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide statewide leadership, oversight, and accountability for county-administered Adult Services programs in alignment with the Division of Social Services’ statutory responsibility to supervise, monitor, and ensure compliance, quality, and consistency across the county social services system. Serving as Section Chief for County Operations and Continuous Quality Improvement, this position directs statewide county operations and oversight functions for the Adult Services Section. Acting on behalf of the Deputy Director for Adult Services, this position exercises delegated authority to lead statewide policy-practice alignment, compliance oversight, performance management, and system improvement across all Adult Services program areas, including Adult Protective Services (APS), Guardianship, Adult Placement Services, Special Assistance In-Home (SAIH), In-Home Aide Certification, and related Adult Services programs that involve significant legal, fiscal, and operational complexity and political sensitivity. The Section Chief ensures consistent, high-quality Adult Services practice across counties; directs implementation of state and federal requirements and initiatives; strengthens county capacity through training, guidance, and coaching; and uses data-informed decision-making to drive accountability, mitigate risk, and improve outcomes for older adults and adults with disabilities.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing direct supervision in Adult Protective Services (APS), Guardianship, and other Adult Services programs at the county DSS and/or state level, including oversight of multidisciplinary staff; evidence of improved staff performance outcomes.
• Proven ability to plan, direct, and evaluate statewide Adult Services operations, including implementation of monitoring frameworks and CQI processes; experience achieving measurable improvements in program compliance, consistency of practice, or performance metrics across multiple counties or regions.
• Advanced skill in analyzing complex quantitative and qualitative data to identify risk, inform policy decisions, and guide strategic planning; demonstrated use of data to drive measurable system improvements or resource allocation decisions.
• Knowledge of Adult Services statutes, administrative code, and policy, including NC court processes and least-restrictive alternatives; demonstrated ability to interpret and operationalize state and federal regulations into practice, resulting in improved legal alignment, reduced delays in protective action, or strengthened compliance.
• Demonstrated executive-level leadership in a complex, state-supervised, county-administered system, including successful implementation of policy, training, or system changes; ability to build and sustain strategic relationships with county DSS leadership, legal partners, and community stakeholders, with evidence of improved collaboration, training outcomes, or statewide adoption of key initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide leadership, oversight, and accountability for county-administered Adult Services programs
• Direct statewide county operations and oversight functions for the Adult Services Section
• Lead statewide policy-practice alignment, compliance oversight, performance management, and system improvement across all Adult Services program areas
• Ensure consistent, high-quality Adult Services practice across counties
• Direct implementation of state and federal requirements and initiatives
• Strengthen county capacity through training, guidance, and coaching
• Use data-informed decision-making to drive accountability, mitigate risk, and improve outcomes for older adults and adults with disabilities

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.

What This Job Offers

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