Substance Use Disorder Policy Consultant

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

HEALTH BENEFITS

Job Classification Title

Human Services Program Consultant III (NS)

Position Number

60042690

Grade

NC16

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 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Policy Consultant serves within the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Clinical Policy Section and supports the planning and development of Medicaid SUD clinical coverage policies and State Plan Amendments for adolescent and adult beneficiaries.

The SUD Policy Consultant provides regulatory oversight of SUD services by monitoring clinical quality, ensuring compliance with state and federal policy requirements, and guiding the development of coverage policies. The consultant collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including other divisions, to advance high‑quality behavioral health services across North Carolina.

The consultant contributes subject‑matter expertise throughout the policy development process to advance the implementation and delivery of high‑quality behavioral health services. This role operates under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Policy Manager.

Key Duties Include

– Develop and implement Medicaid SUD clinical coverage policies and State Plan Amendments for adolescent and adult beneficiary populations.

– Plan and support policy development activities by researching requirements and interpreting guidance related to SUD treatment and service delivery.

– Monitor the clinical quality of SUD services delivered by providers and health plans to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

– Conduct regulatory oversight activities to verify that SUD services adhere to applicable policy standards and program expectations.

– Collaborate with internal divisions, external partners, and stakeholders to inform the development, and implementation of SUD policies and State Plan provisions.

– Analyze service data, regulatory, and program requirements to guide updates and improvements to Medicaid coverage policies.

– Review SUD‑related program information and service models to assess policy alignment and inform decision‑making.

– Document policy development processes and maintain accurate records to support compliance and program transparency.

– Provide expertise on SUD service delivery considerations to ensure policies promote consistent, high‑quality behavioral health care statewide.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

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

Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $74,160.00

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:

• Experience applying working knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder service delivery in North Carolina to inform policy development and program evaluation.

• Documented experience in substance use disorder treatment and utilization of the ASAM Criteria to support clinical policy decisions.

• Proven experience interpreting state and federal programs governing mental health or substance use services to guide policy and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Documented experience conducting compliance monitoring, program reviews, utilization management, or care‑management activities to assess service quality and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Established experience building and sustaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support collaborative policy development and implementation efforts.

REPOST - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply In Order To Be Considered For This Vacancy

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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

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:  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 s