Advocate I - Murdoch Developmental Center

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

State Operated Health Care Facilities

Job Classification Title

Advocate I (S)

Position Number

60050475

Grade

NC10

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

Murdoch Developmental Center is currently accepting applications for an Advocate I. This position is responsible for helping to provide Advocacy services at Murdoch Developmental Center, in Butner, NC. As an Advocate I, this position helps to ensure that facility-based systems operate so that individuals' rights are upheld, and that quality care and treatment are provided. This position fulfills these obligations by being available to and working on behalf of the individuals and their families/guardians, consulting/collaborating with facility administration, training individuals/families and guardians/facility employees on human rights of the individuals served, investigating allegations of abuse/neglect/exploitation/rights violations, compiling reports that reflect the investigative work and findings, making recommendations for remediation of assessed needs, monitoring programs throughout the facility, contributing to the human rights committee of the facility and participating in facility committees as assigned by the Director of Advocacy.

This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• This is a repost. Previous candidates DO NOT need to reapply to be considered for position.*

Recruitment Range: $43,267.00 - $75,718.00

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:

• Substantial knowledge of mental health/developmental disabilities and substance abuse service systems, quality improvement initiatives, and program monitoring.

• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret North Carolina's consumer rights and mental health laws, ICF-ID regulations, Office of State Human Resources policies and the policies of the Facility and the Division of State Operated Health Care Facilities.

• Considerable skills in investigative techniques (interviewing, collecting, and analyzing evidence, summarizing, and presenting findings, etc.) and negotiation is vital to achieving the resolution of complaints, grievances, and allegations.

• The ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships that ensure the confidence of individuals, families, and staff at all levels of both the facility and the State is critical.

• A capacity for critical thinking and process analytical skills, as well as the ability to exercise these skills, even under stressful conditions.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential, as well as software application skills.

• Exemplary collaborative and interpersonal skills are essential for effective participation in various team environments.

Physical Requirements (ADA): Ability to complete documentation via computer/Advocacy Web Application, maneuver throughout a large facility.

The normal work schedule is 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, on-call weeknights, one weekend a month, and holidays as designated.

About Murdoch Developmental Center:

Murdoch Developmental Center is a 24/7 state residential facility located in Butner, NC, near the Research Triangle area. Murdoch serves individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Murdoch is a caring community where professionals work with people of various ages, cognitive and functional abilities.

To be considered for employment, applicants must be in good standing with the North Carolina Health Care Personnel Registry.

To learn more about Murdoch Developmental Center, click the link to watch the video below:

Supplemental Contact Information:

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.

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.

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 11:59pm prior to the closing date.

• 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 .

Veteran's 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 member 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.

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

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.

Master's degree in a human services program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of the experience providing services (diagnostic and treatment, advocacy, and/or casework) for individuals who are developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled;

OR

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience providing services (diagnostic and treatment, advocacy, and/or casework) for individuals who are developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled;

OR

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of human services experience providing skills in investigating abuse and neglect, interviewing techniques, and similar functions; 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:

Lakeitra Dionne Coulter

Email:

...