Advocate I

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center Job Classification Title Advocate I (S) Position Number 60048665 Grade NC10

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 Advocate provides technical and administrative assistance to DSOHF staff, other agencies and stakeholders regarding resident rights. The Advocate protects the rights of those served at state-operated healthcare facilities through investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other rights violations, incident reviews, and providing

education:

, training, and consultation. The position interprets the Human Rights Rules and Regulations, facility policy, DSOHF policy, Advocacy procedures, and regulatory

requirements:

during everyday work. The Advocate ensures that practices are consistent with specified standards and guidance. The Advocate provides training for residents, families, facility staff, and Human Rights Committee members. In addition, the Advocate serves on committees, workgroups, and treatment teams at a facility level and participates in workgroups at a departmental level across the state to develop/revise Advocacy procedures and corresponding training.

For incidents that don’t rise to the level of an investigation, the position serves as an independent and objective evaluator to determine if measures have been taken to minimize the risk to residents. The Advocate works closely with residents, guardians, and others on the residents’ behalf to provide

education:

on rights issues, routine facility procedures, the complaint resolution process, and Advocacy services. In addition, the Advocate offers technical assistance to staff through monitoring, consulting, training, and collaboration to help ensure that residents are represented at all levels of the facility and that their rights are honored.

The position functions as a liaison to the Human Rights Committee, Disability Rights NC (DRNC), Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), Department of Social Services (DSS), and, as needed, local Police and Sheriff Departments. Knowledge

Skills:

and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Range: $41,655.00 - $72,897.00 Recruitment Range: $41,655.00 - $72,897.00 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: Working knowledge of the investigative process which may include but is not limited to interviewing

skills:

, evidence gathering, analyzing findings, reaching fact-based determinations, and/or documenting such in a professional, detailed report. Preference will be given to individuals with knowledge of resident rights and applicable laws and regulations (Federal & State) related to the disability group served.

This position must have excellent oral and written communication

skills:

and should be able to plan and coordinate daily work effectively, efficiently, and independently.

Experience:

collaborating with individuals from various clinical disciplines and participating as a member of the treatment team. Ability to research applicable laws, regulations, policies and apply the knowledge to daily work. We Will Be Recruiting For Multiple Positions With This Post. Your Application Will Be Considered For All Noted Open Positions.

Position 60048410 – DSOHF Advocacy/JIRDC Position 60048665 – DSOHF Advocacy/JIRDC Shift Hours: 1st shift (8:00am-5:00pm), Monday – Friday, and provide after-hours, holiday on-call coverage.

About:

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center: The J Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, North Carolina is an ICF certified facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. We provide comprehensive residential care to citizens from 37 counties in the western portion of the state. JIRDC is a caring community where professionals work with people of various ages, cognitive, & functional abilities.

The J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center is located just an hour from the Queen City of Charlotte, home of the Carolina Panthers and the City of Asheville, home to the world renowned Biltmore Estate and Grove Park Inn. Our facility sits on one of the most picturesque properties in Burke County. We are nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge and South Mountains and just minutes from beautiful Lake James.

Nearby Pisgah National Forest offers outdoor adventure and fun for the whole family. Supplemental Contact Information: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal

Opportunity:

Employer who 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/. Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks. Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.

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. 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 the 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.

Veteran’s 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 member 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. Master’s degree in a human services program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of the

experience:

providing services (diagnostic and treatment, advocacy, and/or casework) for individuals who are developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled; or Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of

experience:

providing services (diagnostic and treatment, advocacy, and/or casework) for individuals who are developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled; or Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of human services

experience:

providing

skills:

in investigating abuse and neglect, interviewing techniques, and similar functions; or an equivalent combination of

education:

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: Meganna Gentle Benner Email: talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina.

We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive

benefits:

, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more

about:

the

benefits:

of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next

opportunity:

today! State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions Valuing

Education:

and

Experience:

The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and

experience:

of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow

experience:

to be substituted for

education:

or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more

about:

how you may qualify for a position through

education:

or directly related

experience:

, or a combination of both, with the

Education:

and

Experience:

Equivalency Guide. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. If you are already a state employee, please search for jobs by clicking here.