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 Rehabilitation Program Specialist for Employment Services provides Division-wide leadership to support high‑quality job placements for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind, ensuring access to competitive wages, career advancement opportunities, benefits, and long‑term job retention. The position guides Business Service Representatives across seven district offices and manages agency employment‑related contracts in accordance with state regulations and internal policies. It conducts comprehensive contract reviews, completes program‑required evaluations such as Competitive Integrated Employment Reviews, and supports relationships with Community Rehabilitation Providers.

The role also interprets and applies WIOA/SE federal guidelines to inform program operations and advises leadership and staff on their implementation. This position contributes to accountability and compliance by completing agency audits and supporting Division efforts that strengthen employment outcomes for consumers.

Key Duties Include:

• Provide leadership to support high‑quality employment outcomes for consumers who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind.
• Guide and train Business Service Representatives in each of the seven district offices to support consistent employment service delivery.
• Administer and manage all agency employment‑related contracts in alignment with state regulations and internal policies.
• Renew 100% of ongoing contracts on or before their established due dates and document all renewal activities.
• Conduct annual reviews for 100% of agency contracts utilized during the program year.
• Complete Competitive Integrated Employment Reviews to support compliance with federal requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with Community Rehabilitation Providers offering supported employment and work adjustment services.
• Study and apply WIOA/SE federal guidelines, advising leadership and staff on regulatory implications for program operations.
• Complete the Division’s annual Worker’s Compensation audit by the established deadline.
• Support continuous improvement of employment services by monitoring program needs and aligning activities with Division priorities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $57,983.00 - $101,470.00

Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $84,000.00

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 experience administering and managing contracts, including completing 100% of annual contract reviews and ensuring all renewals are finalized by established deadlines.
• Documented success conducting Competitive Integrated Employment Reviews and applying results to support program compliance and employment service quality.
• Proven track record providing guidance and training to distributed teams, including Business Service Representatives across multiple district offices.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and interpreting WIOA/SE federal guidelines and advising leadership and staff on their application to agency programs and services.
• Established proficiency completing program audits—such as the Division’s annual Worker’s Compensation audit—within required timeframes and documenting outcomes accurately.

Physical Requirements:

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

About the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf-blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

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.

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.