Director, Office of Economic Opportunity

Agency: Dept of Health and Human Services

Division: Secretary’s Office

Job Classification Title: Human Services Program Manager II (NS)

Position Number:

Grade: NC20

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

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding supports North Carolina’s Community Action Agencies to provide a wide range of services based on the needs of the communities they serve.

• Decrease poverty in communities.
• Address the needs of low‑income individuals, including the homeless, migrants and the elderly, families and children in need.
• Provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health.

The Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) serves as North Carolina’s principal state administrator for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), overseeing the strategic deployment of CSBG annual allocation to Community Action Agencies (CAAs) that collectively reach all 100 counties in the state. This is a mission‑critical leadership role at the intersection of federal compliance, community impact, and systems‑level change.

The Director leads a dedicated team of 14 professional staff in positions focusing on program, fiscal, and contract areas. The Director serves as the primary liaison to the U.S. Office of Community Services (OCS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and NC DHHS Office of the Secretary and other leadership. This individual is accountable for ensuring strong coordination with Community Action Agencies in assuring the flow of CSBG funding reaches families living in poverty with maximum efficiency, compliance, and measurable results.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

• Depth of knowledge of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and associated federal requirements for use of funds, grant management, rules, policies and guidelines, monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills in working with local community action agencies and Community Action Association and with other external and internal stakeholders including NC DHHS and other cabinet agencies (e.g. Department of Commerce, Department of Environmental Quality, DSS and local DSS agencies and others).
• Strategic Planning and analytical skills associated with OEO mandates including leading the state plan development in alignment with CSBG requirements and NC DHHS priorities, annual reporting requirements, CAA technical assistance and reporting to the NC General Assembly.
• Demonstrate skilled and effective leadership in managing the OEO team, engaging with DHHS leadership, setting expectations while supporting positive culture and high expectations for the team.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Grade Range: $70,478.00 – $123,336.00

Recruitment Range: $70,478.00 – $105,000.00

The State of North Carolina offers comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program. Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, community service leave, and paid parental leave.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in a discipline specific to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in the area of assignment, including two years in a supervisory or consultative capacity.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in a discipline specific to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in the area of assignment, including two years in a supervisory or consultative capacity.
• OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is 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.