Associate Director, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

HEALTH BENEFITS

Job Classification Title

Health & Human Services Senior Planner (NS)

Position Number

60042789

Grade

31002876

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 Associate Director of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders oversees a team of consultants and manages daily operations supporting the effective delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services within managed care and Medicaid Direct. The position functions within the Division of Health Benefits and supports the administration and strategic direction of mental health and substance use disorder programs. It operates in collaboration with the Chief Clinical Officer and works closely with internal leaders, employees, and external stakeholders across governmental and organizational partners.

This role contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of services and program strategies to advance Medicaid mental health initiatives. The position ensures coordinated efforts that promote service effectiveness, operational consistency, and alignment with organizational goals.

Key Duties Include:

• Oversee operations that support the effective delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services within managed care and Medicaid Direct.

• Lead and direct a team of consultants to ensure coordinated and efficient program operations.

• Manage program administration activities that advance mental health and substance use disorder strategies for Medicaid.

• Implement systems that support clinical operations, program design, and program evaluation.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Division, Department, and with external stakeholders.

• Apply leadership skills to guide and develop staff, ensuring strong internal controls and overall quality management.

• Coordinate collaboratively with internal and external partners to support program implementation and strategic initiatives.

• Communicate effectively through clear verbal and written communication to support program goals and stakeholder engagement.

• Utilize knowledge of Medicaid and managed care benefit programs to inform decision‑making related to mental health and substance use disorder services.

• Support division leadership in ensuring program activities align with the broader mental health strategies for Medicaid.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $1.00-$150,000.00

Recruitment Range: $75,925.00-135,000.00

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 expert‑level experience directing clinical operations within mental health and substance use disorder service systems, including measurable contributions to program design and evaluation efforts.
• Proven track record leading and developing multidisciplinary teams through implementation of internal control systems and quality management processes that improve program oversight and operational consistency.
• Established success building and sustaining collaborative working relationships with division leadership, department stakeholders, and external partners to support cross‑functional program initiatives.
• Consistently produced clear, high‑quality written and verbal communications to support organizational decision‑making, stakeholder engagement, and program reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency interpreting Medicaid and managed care benefit programs related to mental health and substance use disorders to inform program operations and strategic planning.

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 Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option

EHRA: Per G.S. 126-5(c1) (37), This Position Is EXEMPT From All Provisions Of NC General Statute Chapter 126 (State Human Resources Act) With The Exception Of Articles 6 And 7.

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering, grasping
• Talking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motions

About the NC Division of Health Benefits:

The Division of Health Benefits (DHB) within NCDHHS is committed to advancing innovative solutions that improve health, promote well-being and foster independence for all North Carolinians. DHB manages and oversees North Carolina Medicaid and other programs that provide access to services and supports for parents, children, seniors, people with intellectual / developmental disabilities, and behavioral health, substance use and traumatic brain injury disorders. With a budget over $27 billion in state and federal funds per fiscal year, DHB ensures that more than 108,000 enrolled providers are reimbursed for delivering covered services to 3.1 million beneficiaries.

All positions in the Division of Health Benefits are exempt from the State Human Resources Act (G.S. 126) except for the provisions of Articles 6 and 7 per HB 372 Section 20.

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.

Graduation from a four year college or university with a degree in business or public administration or in a field related to DHHS programs, and five years of managerial and/or administrative experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing, and directing in an area related to the above-mentioned programs

OR

An equivalent combination of training and 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

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form