Food and Nutrition Services Policy Consultant
Quick Summary
Policy development and maintenance: Research federal and state
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.
Key responsibilities include:
Policy development and maintenance: Research federal and state requirements and drafts FNS Manual sections, change notices and administrative letters. Identifies controlling authority, exceptions, effective dates and transition instructions. Reviews related manual provisions, forms and notices for consistency. Prepares implementation analyses that explain the effect on county procedures, system requirements and households. Drafts policy papers, policy requirements and expected results for North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology (NC FAST) change requests assigned by the Policy Manager, and reviews test scenarios and test results against policy.
Policy consultation: Answers escalated questions from CQIS, county agencies and the FNS Help Desk with documented analysis and direct references to authority. Identifies questions that require the Policy Manager's decision or counsel's review. Develops examples that explain how the rule applies to difficult facts. Records recurring questions so a statewide clarification can replace repeated individual responses.
Coordination and presentation: Explains approved policy changes to county staff and work groups. Coordinates implementation questions with the NC FAST eligibility system, other departmental units and the officials responsible for each affected process. Uses QA and QC findings to identify unclear instructions. Works with training staff and CQIS on accurate case exercises, worker references and practical implementation resources.
Compliance support: Prepares assigned policy analyses and supporting records for federal reporting, Management Evaluations, waiver requests and follow-up on review findings. Tracks required policy changes through approval and implementation. Documents unresolved compliance questions and the program decision needed to close them.
Preferred experience with NC FAST and FNS eligibility policy.
Salary Range: $70,487 - $123,336
Recruitment Range $70,487 - $96,908
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:
-Demonstrated knowledge of public assistance policy and the relationship between eligibility rules, benefit calculations and county administration.
- Demonstrated ability to research statutes, regulations and program guidance and explain how the controlling requirement applies to specific facts.
- Demonstrated ability to write precise policy instructions, identify exceptions and resolve inconsistencies among related materials.
- Experience explaining complex program requirements to workers, supervisors or other program partners.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate the operational effect of a policy change and work with training and technology staff on implementation.
Requirements
~1 min readWhat We Offer
~1 min readThe 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 website for state benefits.
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.
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.
- 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.
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.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.
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 a discipline relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related experience.
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline relative to the program area from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of related experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
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.
Location & Eligibility
About this job
- Pay per year
- $70,487–$123,336 a year
- 45% above the $67,000 median for Other jobs on Jobera (144,221 salaries).
- Who can apply
- United States
- Posted
- Today
Listing Details
- Posted
- November 13, 2026
- First seen
- November 13, 2026
- Last seen
- November 13, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 0
- Repost count
- 0
- Trust Level
- 63%
- Scored at
- November 13, 2026
Signal breakdown
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