Olmstead Specialist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center

Job Classification Title

Social Worker (S)

Position Number

Grade

NC11

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 Olmstead Specialist will serve a specialized role and lead efforts specific to the transition process for residents at JIRDC who are under a MOA and /or on the Community Transition List (CTL). Specifically, this position will serve as the primary liaison between the resident’s treatment team, legal guardian, and care coordinator/MCO in matters regarding community re-entry.

Primary job responsibilities include:

- Facilitating progress of the residents’ transition through scheduling and leading transition meetings that involve the treatment team, guardian, MCO, and any other relevant participant (e.g., Vocational Rehab, identified provider, etc.).

- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of available community options and the prerequisites needed to access them.

Keeping JIRDC social workers and admissions committee members abreast of service trends and community options pertinent to the population served.

- Counseling legal guardians and residents regarding community options that best align with the person’s needs in light of JIRDC's commitment to assuring people be afforded the opportunity to live in community settings.

- Reviewing facility referrals to assure adequate exploration of community-based supports/resources prior to the initiation of the screening process.

This position also requires notable skill at forming trusting relationships with stakeholders and the ability to effectively address and resolve issues that interfere with the transition process. This position reports to the Director of Professional Services.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

As of 2/1/26, the new salary range:

Salary Range: $45,431.00 - $79,504.00

A Sign-on bonus of $4,000 may be offered to the successful applicant(s) of this posting, contingent on the 2025-2026 Budget Approval.

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:

• Documented knowledge of MCO’s, general community supports available for people with developmental disabilities, and/or transitions to get institutionalized people with IDD back into the community. 

   Considerable knowledge of community IDD resources, service systems, and waiver programs.

• Considerable knowledge of various community resources and/or home/community-based support options for persons with developmental disabilities.

•  Documented Knowledge regarding MCO’s, funding sources (to include innovations waiver, money follows the person, in lieu of services), and general community supports available for people with developmental disabilities

•  Experience working on transitions to get institutionalized people with IDD back into the community.

• Demonstrated experience in Olmstead efforts and/or knowledge of the integration mandates of the North Carolina Persons with Disabilities Protection Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act .

This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events.

Position 60048669; Shift Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00a - 5:00p with variation 

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.

Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus:

To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.

An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:

• The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date)
• The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency
• DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees.

All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]. 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 social work from an appropriately accredited institution;

or

Bachelor’s degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience;

or

Master’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience;

or

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related experience;

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:

[email protected]