Deputy General Counsel

The Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will play a pivotal role in providing legal advice and guidance across all divisions and offices within the department. This position is integral in supporting the Operational Excellence portfolio, offering specialized legal expertise in Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, Contracts and Grants, and Budget and Analysis. The Deputy General Counsel will serve as the primary legal point of contact within the Office of General Counsel for these specific areas, ensuring that all legal matters are handled with precision and in accordance with relevant regulations and statutes.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day legal advice, this role will involve collaborating with the Attorney General’s office on complex legal issues and managing sensitive litigation matters. The Deputy General Counsel will also supervise staff members and provide legal guidance on various special projects. This position offers the opportunity to have a direct impact on the legal operations of DHHS, working across various sectors to uphold the department’s mission and maintain its legal integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on all DHHS programs, with a focus on compliance matters within Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, Contracts and Grants, and Budget and Analysis.
• Collaborate with Attorney General’s office on complex legal issues and litigation matters.
• Assist the DHHS Office of Communications with public record requests and legal inquiries related to the Operational Excellence portfolio.
• Supervise the Assistant General Counsel for ITD and Assistant General Counsel for Data.
• Provide legal consultation on special projects and agreements, including memorandums of agreement with internal and external parties.
• Offer legislative interpretation and assist in drafting legislation and regulations.
• Provide timely updates to supervisor on significant or sensitive legal matters.

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

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.

About the DHHS Office of General Counsel:

The Office of the General Counsel at the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State provides expert legal guidance, ensuring compliance, transparency, and integrity in all departmental operations. It oversees legal research, rulemaking, contract reviews, litigation coordination, and public records management. While not offering legal advice to the public, it plays a vital role in upholding regulatory standards and supporting the department’s mission

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 website for benefits here.

For more information about DHHS:https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.  These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed.
 
Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• Required experience in applying case law, statutory law, regulatory frameworks, and common law principles in a professional legal environment.
• Documented experience navigating judicial and quasi-judicial procedures, with the ability to effectively represent legal interests in formal settings.
• Proven experience interpreting and applying laws, constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and court decisions in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Required experience analyzing legal facts, evidence, and instruments to draft formal legal opinions, agreements, and memorandums related to departmental matters and special projects
• Documented experience with litigation 
• Experience in employment law matters

• Experience in review and negotiation of procurement materials and government contracts

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 https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who 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.
 

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and end dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates /licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• 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 a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• 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.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The 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. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE: Applicants will be communicated via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930.

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status".