Social Research Director

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Social Research Director (NS)

Position Number

Grade

NC24

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 17000 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

This position serves as the Section Chief of the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics (SCHS) located within the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Division of Public Health (DPH). The Section Chief reports to the DPH Assistant Division Director for Data and Opportunity and serves as the policy technical and administrative leader of SCHS. This position oversees a team of over 150 individuals including full-time employees Public Health Fellows interns and periodic temporary staffing. The role includes direct supervision of 10 staff members comprising four section administrative personnel and six Branch Managers.

In this role the SCHS Section Chief will be responsible for the following:
Provide critical information to inform health policies program initiatives and evidence-based decision-making through modernized data systems.

Provides timely accurate and actionable information to inform health policy program development and resource allocation.

Assesses the health status of North Carolinians and monitors trends in health outcomes and determinants.

Evaluates the effectiveness and impact of public health programs and services aimed at improving population health through improved data integration and governance frameworks.

Ensures the delivery of high-quality data services - including vital records public health statistics and public health intelligence products - to citizens local health departments and prevention partners with a focus on accuracy timeliness accessibility and strategic value.

Promote and support the responsible use and dissemination of health data by streamlining data request processes fostering research collaborations and upholding data governance standards.

Leads the strategic direction of SCHS including execution of its strategic plan and advancement of data modernization public health informatics and system interoperability.

Oversee operations across SCHS branches ensuring alignment of diverse data systems and funding sources with modernization and governance priorities.


Planning Directing Promoting Public Health Data Systems & Programs
Lead efforts to modernize and enhance public health data systems including evaluating and recommending statutory changes related to health data reporting in collaboration with DPH leadership and state government stakeholders.

Provide leadership within the state regarding health statistics and data analysis.

Coordinate statistical and registry activities to promote uniform health information maximize data availability and eliminate duplication.

Enhance the use of data in policy and program decision-making and improve timeliness and quality of health information.

Oversee all SCHS contract negotiations Memoranda of Agreement and compliance managing relationships and deliverables with universities federal agencies (e.g. NCHS CDC SSA) state and local governments and private partners while ensuring timely receipt and expenditure of funds.

Provide statewide leadership on the collection analysis and interpretation of health statistics to inform public health policy programs and decision-making.

Direct statewide health surveys including the NC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) ensuring methodological rigor and utility.

Responsible for timely and accurate release of recurring and ad hoc publications including collaborative reports with other DPH units and special studies initiated by the State Health Director.

Guide the development of public health data projects and analytic products suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals and the SCHS Special Studies series.

Health Data Stewardship Analysis and Dissemination
Serve as the chief statistical advisor to senior DHHS and DPH leadership on priorities for statistical systems and data-informed policy.

Promote and implement data governance frameworks to ensure data quality security and ethical use.

Lead modernization efforts to enhance data infrastructure interoperability and analytics capabilities.

Integrate informatics and data science approaches to support public health surveillance and decision-making.

Represent North Carolina on the National Association of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) collaborating with state and federal partners to improve the national vital statistics system and maintain liaison with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Oversee the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program (VSCP) in coordination with the State Registrar ensuring SCHS meets all federal contract requirements.

Serve as chief statistical advisor to senior DHHS leadership including the Assistant Secretary for Public Health State Health Officer and Public Health Director guiding priorities for statistical systems and data-driven policy and program decisions.

Coordinate the issuance of vital certificates with the development of the vital statistics database to meet VSCP deliverables including accuracy and timeliness standards set by NCHS.

Fulfill the agencys legal obligation to support local health departments through the collection and reporting of clinical services data required for state and federal reporting.

Maintain active collaborations with universities and research agencies to promote cooperative initiatives in health statistics and data collection.

Ensure timely and accurate completion of regular and special publications such as SCHS Special Studies publishing in professional journals and other data products.

Strategic Leadership and Systems Modernization
Provide expert technical and policy consultation to state agencies on statistical functions including data collection quality control research design statistical methods data analysis and the use of data for public health policy and program management.

Provide executive leadership for the Business Systems and Intelligence Branch ensuring the development and implementation of a modern secure and future-ready data and systems infrastructure.

Oversee modernization of legacy systems and promote adoption of technologies that enhance data interoperability analytics and informatics capacity.

Advance the integration of data science and informatics approaches to support public health surveillance decision-making and program evaluation.

Lead the execution of the SCHS Strategic Plan aligning operational priorities with long-term goals for data modernization workforce development equity and public health impact.

Foster cross-sector partnerships and secure funding to support innovation and strategic initiatives.

Ensure SCHS remains a national leader in health statistics informatics vital records modernization and public health data systems.

Provide vision and leadership in the application of public health informatics to improve data collection integration analysis and dissemination across SCHS programs.

Champion the use of interoperable systems and standards (e.g. HL7 FHIR APIs) to enhance data exchange between SCHS local health departments and external partners.

Guide the development and implementation of informatics solutions that support real-time surveillance predictive analytics and decision support tools.

Collaborate with IT data modernization epidemiology and program teams to align informatics strategies with public health priorities and emerging technologies.

Ensure informatics initiatives are grounded in principles of equity privacy and ethical data use.

Represent SCHS in national and state-level informatics workgroups and initiatives to influence policy and share best practices.

Oversee a multidisciplinary team organized into six branches encompassing expertise in epidemiology statistics survey design spatial analysis programming business analytics and project management records management tumor registration vital records customer service and administrative support.

Foster collaboration across staff with diverse educational backgrounds from high school diplomas to PhDs to maintain a high level of technical and analytical capacity within SCHS in service to DPH and other public health agencies.

Coordinate with the NC DPH Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) and local health departments in the investigation of atypical cancer incidence patterns and potential environmental exposures providing expert support in the interpretation and dissemination of sensitive findings.

Statistical Consultation
Provide technical and policy advice to other agencies on statistical functions including data collection quality control research design and statistical analysis.

Lead efforts to improve statistical systems and the application of health statistics for public health practice research and evaluation.

Serve as the official DPH representative on statistics-related projects boards and commissions.

Coordinate health statistics activities to promote uniformity timeliness and data quality improvement.

Ensure SCHS provides sound consultation to other agencies on health data and statistics.

General Administration
Manage a budget of over $9 million and a staff of 150 permanent and 30 temporary/contract employees. Funding sources include state appropriations service fees internal transfers grants and contracts.

Assess and plan budgetary needs for ongoing operations and new initiatives in collaboration with SCHS DPH sections other state/federal agencies and non-profit partners.

Promote workforce development by promoting training continuing education and participation in relevant professional conferences.

Oversee SCHS facility-related operations ensuring staff safety comfort and continuity of operations during facility improvements or transitions.

Monitor staff performance through regular reviews and performance management processes.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $84471.00 - $164720.00

Recruitment Range: $84471.00-$125660.00

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:

• Leadership & Management: Proven record of supervisory and management experience including oversight of multidisciplinary teams personnel management project direction and organizational leadership in a public health setting.

• Public Health Data Expertise: Demonstrated experience to conduct and oversee research analyze and interpret public health data and effectively communicate findings to diverse audiences.

• Statistical Knowledge: Experience in statistics with proficiency in statistical programming analysis and interpretation of quantitative data.

• Data Communication: Experience translating complex statistical findings into actionable insights through clear and accurate reporting data visualization and presentations.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in developing and maintaining effective partnerships with internal teams external stakeholders researchers and policy makers.

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 Required To Report Onsite In Raleigh NC For Its Duties

About the NC Division of Public Health

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 State Center for Health Statistics (SCHS)

The North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics is a part of the Division of Public Health and is responsible for data collection health-related research and production of reports and maintenance of a comprehensive collection of health statistics. We provide high quality health information to ensure more informed decision-making and effective health policies. Our goal is to improve the health of all North Carolinians and their communities.

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 addition paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website forState Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federallaws 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: 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 Governors 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 must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

• Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered Positions of Trustwill besubject 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 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 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 Veterans Preference must attach aDD-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. 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.

  Masters degree in relevant field from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of professional experience in government or business

  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:

  Dreisa Johnson

  Email: