Chief of Staff Full Time

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Job Classification Title

Deputy Secretary/Commissioner II (NS)

Position Number

Grade

NC26

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 North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as Chief of Staff. This executive-level position acts as a principal advisor and strategic partner to the Secretary, providing leadership across one of the largest and most complex public service agencies in the state.

The Chief of Staff plays a central role in shaping statewide health and human services policy, strengthening agency performance, and ensuring North Carolina’s most essential programs operate effectively and compassionately. The position requires sound judgment, diplomatic skill, and the ability to bring stability and clarity to issues of significant complexity and public importance.

The Chief of Staff ensures strategic initiatives are executed with clarity and impact, manages high-level stakeholder relationships, and drives organizational alignment across divisions and programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership & Strategic Alignment

• Advise the Secretary on strategic issues and lead cross-agency initiatives. •Translate priorities into actionable plans and ensure alignment with legislative mandates and statewide needs.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the Department in meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships and manage sensitive political and policy dynamics with discretion.

Operational Coordination & Organizational Effectiveness

• Oversee daily executive operations and coordination of the Secretary’s leadership team.
• Lead readiness and response efforts during emergencies and major policy rollouts.

Policy Leadership & Advisory Support

• Provide strategic guidance on complex health and human services issues. •Oversee development of briefings, reports, and executive communications. •Support legislative sessions, budget planning, and interagency coordination.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range $97,040 – $ 218,341

**Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours**

This position is Exempt Policy Making and is exempt from certain provisions of the State Human Resources Act (GS 126) .

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:

• Proven executive leadership experience in a large, complex government, healthcare systems, or mission-driven organizations .
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Capacity to operate in high-pressure environments with confidential information.
• Deep commitment to public service and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

This position will close on January 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

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.

Compensation & 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.

Supplemental and 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: 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.

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 5:00 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 https://www.naces.org/members .

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 Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.) indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov . 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.

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.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, or economics or a related program from an appropriately accredited institution and five (5) years of progressive experience in Agency related industry/operations, including three (3) years of supervisory experience; OR
  
• an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

T he 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:

Tandrea Jones

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov

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