Deaf Services Specialist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Job Classification Title

Casework Associate II (S)

Position Number

60043261

Grade

NC06

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

DSDHH is hiring! We are seeking a Deaf Services specialist to lead community development, advocacy, public outreach and awareness, and training at the DSDHH Wilson Regional Center.

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

Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus: To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-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: https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy-effective-august-15-2023/open

As a Deaf Services Specialist, you will train Deaf consumers, service providers, and agencies on special topics including ADA laws, self-advocacy, education issues, and mental health services.

You will assist DSDHH's Wilson Regional Center with Community Development. You will develop and maintain a collective of resources and materials on videotapes, information, books, and materials on ADA, social services, sign language, Deaf culture, etc. Agencies will look to you as a consultant on how to serve Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind individuals. Deaf consumers will look to you for assistance. The Deaf community will need your information/referrals on available resources and services to meet personal/family needs.

Maintaining public relations will be crucial in this role. From writing articles about the Deaf issues to serving on Deaf advisory groups and task forces, your knowledge and expertise will serve the interests and needs of the Deaf population in Wilson.

Your advocacy will help Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind individuals in all matters of daily life such as employment, law, medicine, and education. You'll assist individuals in the Deaf community achieve success in these fields. You'll also provide awareness and sensitivity training to related service providers in this role, helping service providers accommodate and meet the needs of the Deaf community.

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) assures equal access to North Carolina citizens who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $35,596 -$62,294

Recruitment Range: $35,596 -$42,255

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.

• Previous experience in social and cultural activities with the Deaf and DeafBlind and/or elderly population.

• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws, programs and services relating to Deaf and DeafBlind North Carolinians.

• Effective public presentation skills

• Ability and commitment to communicate effectively with Deaf and Deafblind people

• Basic Knowledge/ skills in American Sign Language

*Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours

*Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date

About the NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH): 
The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being. 

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.

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: https://www.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 submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" 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 their 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 [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.

Bachelor's degree in a field relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related work experience with the client population; or Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a related programmatic area providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization; 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:

Charlene Michele Moore

Email:

[email protected]