Assistant Agency General Counsel II

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Secretary's Office

Job Classification Title

Assistant Agency General Counsel II (NS)

Position Number

60037811

Grade

LG08

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 Assistant Agency Counsel II position is responsible for providing legal counsel and support to the DHHS Division of Human Resources, specifically in the areas of employee relations, employment law, workplace compliance, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) matters. This position will provide legal guidance and operational support related to employee grievances, disciplinary and workplace matters, and the coordination, review, and preparation of responses to EEOC charges, complaints, investigations, and related employment matters. The position will work closely with Human Resources leadership, management, and the Office of General Counsel to support compliance and risk mitigation efforts associated with employment-related legal issues.

This position will also serve as the primary coordinator for the development, legal review, revision, and oversight of departmental and divisional policies to ensure compliance with applicable federal laws, North Carolina statutes, administrative rules, and DHHS operational requirements. Responsibilities include providing legal guidance on policy interpretation and implementation, identifying legal and compliance risks, ensuring policies remain current and aligned with changes in law and operations, and supporting consistent application of policies across the Department.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $91,249.00 - $159,686.00

Recruitment Range: $91,249.00 - $115,000.00

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:

• EEOC case management experience: Demonstrated ability to independently manage EEOC charges from intake through resolution, including drafting position statements, coordinating investigations, and participating in mediation or settlement negotiations.

• Employment law advisory experience: Proven track record of interpreting and applying federal and North Carolina employment laws, administrative rules, and case law to provide legal advice on employee relations and EEO compliance matters.

• Policy development and legal compliance drafting: Experience reviewing, drafting, and revising organizational HR and EEO policies to ensure compliance with evolving statutory, regulatory, and case law requirements, including North Carolina-specific requirements.

• Complex legal analysis and litigation support skills: Demonstrated ability to analyze statutes, regulations, constitutional provisions, and judicial/quasi-judicial decisions to produce written legal recommendations and support case resolution strategy.

• Cross-functional stakeholder and project management in high-volume environments: Proven success managing multiple concurrent legal matters in fast-paced, deadline-driven settings while collaborating effectively with HR, compliance, project management, and IT/privacy/security stakeholders.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

This Role Is Eligible To Be Hybrid And Requires Onsite Reporting Located Within Raleigh, NC

About the Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact.

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 State Benefits.

Supplemental 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.

• Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM the day before 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 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.

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and three years of progressively responsible professional legal experience. NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

EEO Statement

The 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:

Dreisa Yvonne Johnson

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov