Assistant General Counsel - State Health Plan

Agency

Dept of State Treasurer

Division

Office of State Treasurer

Job Classification Title

SHP Assistant General Counsel (NS)

Position Number

65002824

Grade

FLATRATE

About Us

Our mission is to preserve, protect and sustain the state’s pension and healthcare plans, generate investment returns in excess of comparable public pensions, properly account for and report on all funds that are deposited, invested, and disbursed through the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, assure the financially sound issuance of debt for state and local governments, maintain the state’s “AAA” bond rating, and provide exemplary service across all divisions of the Department.

Description of Work

The Assistant General Counsel (AGC) serves as counsel to the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer and is assigned to the State Health Plan. The Plan provides health care benefits to more than 700,000 state and local government employees and retirees. The position is responsible for providing legal advice to the Plan and its leadership team, the Department’s General Counsel, and Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys representing the Plan.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a newly licensed attorney or an attorney with several years of experience to work on complex and high-profile legal issues affecting one of North Carolina's largest public benefit programs. While an applicant should have an interest in health care law and policy, subject matter expertise is not required. The position offers the opportunity to develop this expertise, and a successful candidate will be eager to learn and take on additional responsibilities as he or she grows into the role.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

*The anticipated hiring rate for this position is up to $93,500, based on available funding and internal equity considerations.*

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Advise the Plan regarding compliance with state/federal statutes and regulations, including the ACA, HIPAA, HITECH, and the Internal Revenue Code
• Assist with the Plan’s administrative proceedings, including internal hearings, appeals, and preparation of final agency decisions
• Provide timely legal advice to executive leadership and Plan staff regarding operational and policy issues
• Support litigation counsel with legal research, discovery, and drafting and reviewing pleadings, motions, and other litigation documents
• Review and draft contracts and procurement documents supporting the Plan’s operations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong legal research and writing skills
• Ability to analyze complex legal and factual issues and provide practical recommendations
• Ability to interpret and apply statutes, administrative regulations, and court decisions
• Knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures
• Ability to communicate effectively with executives and agency staff

Working Conditions

• This position is primarily in-office, but following an initial onboarding period, employees are generally eligible to telework one day per week, subject to agency policy and supervisory approval. Sporadic telework is allowed during the initial period and thereafter when needed, at the supervisor’s discretion.
• May occasionally require work outside of normal business hours to meet deadlines and agency needs.

Inquiries and applications will be kept strictly confidential.

Position is Exempt to FLSA Overtime

This position may be assigned additional job functions as needed. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice based on business conditions or as required by the agency to fulfill its mission.

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, years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

The minimum Education and Experience is:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar.

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above.

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit https://studentaid.gov/ to learn more. 

This position is primarily in-office, but following an initial onboarding period, employees are generally eligible to telework one day per week, subject to agency policy and supervisory approval. Sporadic telework is allowed during the initial period and thereafter when needed, at the supervisor’s discretion. 

NC State Health Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NC Flex 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 and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (DST) 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 DST: NCTreasurer | NC Treasurer.

DST uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in place 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.
• Applicants 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.

Background Check

• The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal history background check through Castle Branch.
• One or more of the following may also be reviewed, depending on the nature and requirements of the position: employment history, professional references, credit history, and educational verification (i.e., degree, license, or official transcript).
• The selected candidate will be required to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. All offers of employment are conditional until the satisfactory completion of the background check.

Contact Information: 

If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please email the NC Department of State Treasurer at [email protected].

The Department of State Treasurer's campus is located on Atlantic Avenue, is surrounded by many shopping centers and restaurants, has access to a 24-hour 7-day a week free gym on the campus, and has free employee parking.

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.

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:

Leonard C Harper

Recruiter Email:

[email protected]