Olmstead Specialist (J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center)

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/