Job Description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Program Director I (NS)

Position Number

60039798

Grade

NC22

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 Communicable Disease Branch Director provides leadership, oversight, and direction for all program components within the Communicable Disease Branch. The role manages a large, complex statewide branch composed of more than 200 positions located in central offices and multiple regional field offices, ensuring coordinated, high‑quality operations. Work includes strategic planning, evaluation, and consultation to support activities that directly affect patients, healthcare providers, and the public. The position is responsible for branch coordination during disease outbreaks and other significant public health events. Major areas of responsibility include foodborne diseases, vector‑borne and zoonotic diseases, HIV/STD programs, tuberculosis, healthcare‑associated infections, viral hepatitis, and maintenance of communicable disease surveillance systems.

Key Duties Include:

• Oversee statewide daily operations and program components across central offices and regional field offices.
• Direct strategic planning, integration, and evaluation of communicable disease program activities.
• Coordinate the branch response during outbreaks and major public health events.
• Monitor program performance to ensure timely, high‑quality services that impact patients, providers, and the public.
• Lead foodborne disease, vector‑borne and zoonotic disease, and rabies‑related program efforts.
• Direct HIV/STD surveillance, prevention, care, partner notification, and linkage‑to‑care initiatives.
• Manage tuberculosis program operations and statewide healthcare‑associated infection prevention activities.
• Oversee viral hepatitis prevention, treatment efforts, and related public health initiatives.
• Guide the maintenance, improvement, and integration of communicable disease surveillance systems.
• Provide coordination and consultation to staff and partners to ensure strong federal, state, and local linkages supporting program operations.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $75,925.00 - $148,054.00

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:

• Expert‑level leadership proficiency demonstrated through managing large, complex public health operations with statewide staffing across central and regional offices.
• Advanced program management skill demonstrated through directing diverse communicable disease program areas, including surveillance, prevention, care coordination, and outbreak response.
• Strong strategic planning competency demonstrated through coordinating branch activities, evaluating program performance, and guiding high‑visibility public health initiatives.
• Expert‑level communicable disease domain experience demonstrated through leading programs addressing foodborne illness, vector‑borne and zoonotic diseases, HIV/STD programs, tuberculosis, healthcare‑associated infections, and viral hepatitis.
• Advanced communication proficiency demonstrated through coordinating with internal and external partners, providing consultation, and directing branch activities during significant public health events.

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 For A Hybrid Work Option

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Communicable Disease Branch:

The Communicable Disease Branch strives to protect and improve the health of people in North Carolina through disease detection, tracking, investigation, control, education, prevention and care activities to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from communicable diseases that are a significant threat to the public. The Communicable Disease Branch works with the public, local health departments and other public health agencies, healthcare professionals, educators, businesses, communities and healthcare facilities to ensure that North Carolina is prepared to respond to any communicable disease situation that affects the people who live, work and visit here.

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:  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 11:59 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 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.

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of program experience in the area of assignment, including two years of managerial experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing and directing of operations in the areas of the assigned program(s)

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:

Tresha Walker

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov