Agency Legal Consultant

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Agency Legal Consultant II (NS)

Position Number

65038385

Grade

LG06

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

This position provides professional legal support within the Office of Regulatory and Legal Affairs in the Division of Public Health. The role focuses on drafting and negotiating legal agreements, supporting administrative rulemaking, and conducting legal research on state and federal public health laws and privacy requirements. Responsibilities include advising leadership and staff on regulatory issues, preparing and presenting information to stakeholders, and responding to external requests such as public records and data inquiries. Work requires strong analytical and communication skills to ensure compliance and effective legal guidance in a dynamic public health environment.

Key Duties Include:
- Draft and negotiate legal agreements, contracts, and related documents for public health programs.
- Review and analyze proposed administrative rules; prepare rule drafts and support the rulemaking process for the Commission for Public Health.
- Conduct legal research on state and federal statutes, regulations, and privacy requirements impacting public health operations.
- Provide legal consultation to state and local public health officials on a wide range of public health legal issues.
- Prepare and deliver presentations and briefings to internal and external stakeholders on legal and regulatory topics.
- Review and respond to external requests, including public records requests, data inquiries, and other information requests.
- Collaborate with leadership and program staff to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Support the administration of the Division of Public Health Institutional Review Board (IRB) by reviewing protocols and related documentation.
- Coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General when formal opinions or legal proceedings are required.
- Maintain accurate documentation of legal activities and decisions for reporting and audit purposes.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $67,107.00 - $100,661.00Recruitment Range: $67,107.00 - $85,000.00

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: 

• Demonstrated expertise in drafting and negotiating complex legal agreements for public health programs, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.

• Advanced proficiency in conducting legal research and interpreting statutes, administrative rules, and case law to support regulatory decision-making.

• Skilled in managing administrative rulemaking processes, including preparing rule drafts and coordinating with regulatory bodies for approval.

• Experienced in preparing and delivering legal presentations and briefings to internal leadership and external stakeholders on regulatory and compliance topics.

• Proficient in reviewing and responding to public records requests and external inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate compliance with disclosure requirements.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date.This Position Is Time-Limited, Lasting Up To 32 Months, Concluding November 1, 2027.This Position Is 100% Federally Funded.This Position Is Possibly Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option.About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Office of Regulatory and Legal Affairs (RLA):

The Office of Regulatory and Legal Affairs is responsible for public health legal and regulatory support to NCDHHS and DPH leadership and staff. RLA supports administrative rulemaking by the Commission for Public Health and State Registrar of Vital Statistics, provides legal consultation to state and local public health officials on public health issues, drafts, reviews and negotiates public health legal agreements, and administers the DPH Institutional Review Board (IRB).

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 the 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. 

• 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 11:59 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 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.

Juris Doctor from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related professional legal or programmatic experience.

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:

Tresha Walker

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov