Deputy Chief Information Officer

***INTERNAL POSTING- THIS IS AN INTERNAL POSTING OPEN ONLY FOR CURRENT NORTH CAROLINA STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AND ELIGIBLE RIF CANDIDATES FROM NORTH CAROLINA STATE GOVERNMENT INCLUDING CURRENT TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES.***

In collaboration with our partners, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) protects the health and safety of all North Carolinians and provides essential health and human services. The IT division (ITD) is one of the divisions that report to the Operational Excellence portfolio. The ITD division comprises six sections: Implementation and Operations, Strategy and Workforce, Enterprise Technology, Vendor and Finance, Data and Analytics, and Cyber and Privacy. Team ITD offers the following services but not limited to implementations, operations, project/portfolio management, infrastructure, consulting, business division liaison, digital transformation, IT strategy, enterprise technology, IT contract and vendor management, and data office services. 

This position will act as the DHHS Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) and is part of the Implementation and Operations Section (IOS) reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO). This role will be directly responsible for the IOS section's Applications Portfolio Management Office (APMO), which manages all aspects of implementations, projects, and operations systems at DHHS. The position will oversee five portfolios under the APMO, including Green, Brown, Yellow, Aqua, Blue, Digital Foundations, and the Project Management Office team.  They will also provide direct and indirect support to the DHHS CIO in managing other aspects of the DHHS Information Technology Division (ITD).

The APMO portfolios are organized and grouped to align with the 33 DHHS divisions. As such, the DCIO has seven IT Directors directly reporting to them. They are responsible for the application systems and application system projects that support the divisions and the operation in maintaining over 400 IT platforms used by North Carolinians to receive benefits and Department staff to administer services. DCIO’s direct organizational span is more than 600 state and contractor staff.

There are typically 50 to 60 active ITD projects at any given time. The DCIO is responsible for conducting monthly briefings with the deputy secretaries and division directors on the status of all projects. 

Executive Leadership Role: What Our DCIO Is Expected to Accomplish

• The DCIO provides strategic direction leadership and senior management oversight to project management policy, manages the project management governance, and creates and maintains an engagement model that best fits and benefits DHHS.
• Identifies and manages key work programs across agencies within DHHS, keeps the state project management tool current, and establishes templates, reporting methodologies, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to satisfy DHHS executive leadership management needs.
• The DCIO participates or leads with the CIO and should be able to influence outcomes as a leader who can reach across multiple DHHS divisions and other agencies.
• The role contributes actively to enterprise strategy and business capability strategic planning. It leads to developing the IT strategic plan and technology roadmap and ensures integration with the enterprise’s strategic planning process and the resulting business strategy and plans.
• Enhance agility to achieve digital business objectives while ensuring core IT functions remain reliable, stable, and efficient. Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to the IT leadership team and staff.

IT Executive Role: DCIO as the Technology Function Leader

• The DCIO will lead a team directly responsible for operating, maintaining, and securing over 400 IT systems used by North Carolina citizens to receive benefits and Department staff to administer services. These applications comprise distributed, mainframe, low code, legacy, and vendor-supported systems housed locally, at DIT, in the cloud, and in vendor locations. These systems must be highly available and upgraded/maintained to prevent the introduction of operational risk, defects, and security vulnerabilities and ensure continuity of operations in the event of disaster. 
• The DCIO provides strategic, tactical executive leadership to five large IT portfolios spanning 33 DHHS divisions’ programs, including DSS, DPH, DHB, DMH, DSOHF, DCDEE, DCFW, DHSR, and HR. DCIO must build new and sustainable relationships with multiple stakeholders across DHHS, DIT, other state agencies, and 100 counties by proactively analyzing challenges, actively listening, and solving problems through collaboration and mutual trust. 
• The position is responsible for leading a team of over 600+ staff, including employees and contractors, and managing numerous vendors who deliver and operate various platforms and projects. Over time, the role builds and maintains relationships with federal partners, such as CMS, ACF, USDA, and 100 County leaders. The role will lead and provide strategic ideas, thoughts, and approval of procurement and payment invoices, as well as participate in short sessions and biennium requests.
• This position directs the design and implementation of the I&T operating model, organizational structure, and governance process. Oversee the strategic direction, design, development, operation, and support of IT systems and programs that fulfill business needs, including enterprise architecture management, application management, security and risk management, and infrastructure and operations support management. 
• Enhance IT’s capabilities by leveraging many internal and external resources. Direct the development of the IT sourcing strategy and provide executive oversight for strategic vendor and partner relationship management. The position engages and works with HR and key stakeholders to map out and implement scenarios for IT workforce transformations. Develop and maintain an IT workforce with a balanced mix of business knowledge, technical skills, and competencies. 
• Manages relationships with key technology vendors and partners, negotiating contracts and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services and solutions.
• Make decisions and recommendations linked to the organization’s strategy.
• Procures support and funding from the key stakeholders.
• Maintains and forms alliances with recognized experts and business decision-makers.

IT Executive Role: DCIO as the People Leader

• Deepens social awareness by practicing empathy, service orientation, and political awareness.
• Handles difficult situations and people with openness, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to de-escalate challenging situations
• Manages and mentors the performance of staff 
• Makes hiring and retention decisions for the responsible sections

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

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.

About the NC Division of Information Technology:
DHHS Information Technology (IT) Division provides enterprise information technology leadership and solutions to the department and their partners so that they can leverage technology, resulting ultimately in delivery of consistent, cost effective, reliable, accessible, and secure services. DHHS IT Division works with business divisions to help ensure the availability and integrity of automated information systems to meet their business goals. DHHS IT Division’s primary information technology services are Application Management, Project Management, Privacy and Security, Financial Management, Health Information Technology, Infrastructure and Service Management.

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 website for benefits:https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits.

For more information about DHHS:https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.  These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed. 

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• Experience with IT consulting in an operationally related position
• Documented experience managing multiple secure, scalable IT systems
• Proven progressive management experience supporting medium to large teams
• Documented experience successfully identifying leading large IT projects and ensuring efficient system development
• Demonstrated communication & negotiation experience including presentations, conflict resolution, relationship building, and alignment of IT strategies with business goals.

• Leadership experience within a large government organization.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Agile Project Management Certification preferred

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 https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

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/.

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.
 

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and end dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates /licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• 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 a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• 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.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The 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. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE: Applicants will be communicated via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930.

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status". 

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Helpline at 877-204-4442.If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.