DAVE Report Finds Minimal Vacancies Throughout North Carolina’s Community Colleges

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor's Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency (DAVE) has published a new audit that details a distinctly low number of long-term vacancies across North Carolina's community colleges.

As part of its government efficiency initiatives, DAVE has been evaluating long-term state vacancies - defined as any position that has remained vacant for six months or longer - and associated lapsed salaries. DAVE's evaluation of North Carolina's community colleges found that while the North Carolina Community College System employs over 31,000 personnel, only 136 long-term vacancies exist within the workforce.

"North Carolina's community college system is a strong example of effective and efficient workforce governance. The colleges utilize management flexibility and are considerate of staffing needs," said State Auditor Dave Boliek. "With less than half a percent vacancy rate out of a workforce of over 31,000 personnel, our community colleges should serve as a goalpost for other state agencies in efforts to keep workforce vacancy rates low."

Of the 136 positions, community colleges reported that 82 (60.3%) have either been filled, are in the final stages of the hiring process, or are actively recruiting as of December 31, 2025. Since each position became vacant, they have generated a total of $11.3 million in lapsed salaries. The long-term vacancies of all community colleges would generate $10.4 million in lapsed salaries if left vacant for an entire year.

Because of the complex funding models, DAVE does not recommend eliminating these vacancies for base budget accuracy, as noted in the January 2026 State Vacancy & Lapsed Salary report. Instead, this report is intended to increase transparency in the community college system. DAVE's analysis of long-term vacancies and lapsed salaries across North Carolina's community colleges is supplemented by an online interactive dashboard featuring the underlying data, available here.

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