Mental Health Professional I (Columbia Area Mental Health Center/ School-Based)

Mental Health Professional I (Columbia Area Mental Health Center/ School-Based)

Salary

$51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

193352

Agency

Department of Mental Health-MHC Columbia Area

Division

Adult Treatment Services

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60014058

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Normal Work Schedule (Other):

Normal school hours

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$51,039.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$59,622.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

You must apply on-line at www.careers.sc.gov. Follow the status for your application on-line.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

Are you passionate about making a real difference in peoples lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I, who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate lifes challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health-Columbia Area Mental Health 2715 Colonial Dr #100, Columbia, SC 29203.

As a Mental Health Professional I, working under general supervision, you will provide advanced assessment, crisis management, and both short- and long-term individual and family therapy, as well as case management services for children and their families presenting with psychiatric needs. The primary objective of these interventions is to reduce psychiatric symptoms and enhance positive functioning across various ecological systems. Services are delivered within school-based settings.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide a comprehensive array of clinical services including advanced assessment, crisis management, and both short- and long-term individual and family therapy to promote recovery, stabilization, and independence in accordance with each patient's plan of care.

• Integrate family therapy as a regular and essential component of treatment plans.

• Maintain documentation that reflects the high standard of care expected for this position, including collaborative documentation and timely, accurate record keeping.

• Demonstrate recognition of the importance of collaboration and teamwork within the Center and the community to include interaction with peers and involvement in supervision, groups and staff meetings.

• Maintain and demonstrate competency in at least one evidence-based clinical practice relevant to the population served.

• Maintain competency in at least one Evidence-Based Practice.

• Utilize standardized tools, such as the DLA20, to assess and monitor patient functionality.

• Respond promptly and professionally to telephone messages, emails, Teams messages, and inter-office correspondence.

• Retain overall responsibility for meeting Quality Assurance and CARF standards.

• Provide appropriate and timely responses to patient requests for services, ensuring accessibility and continuity of care.

• Shall comply with the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements in performing their job duties.

• Deliver consultation, education, and prevention services to the school district, including faculty and staff in-service training, classroom presentations, Parent-Teacher Organization presentations, and critical incident debriefing and /or adverse incident response.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field.
• A degree in guidance, counseling, or the social science, and two (2) years of experience in a clinical setting.

Additional Requirements:

• Services provided will be in a school-based setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
• A degree in guidance, counseling, or the social science, and two (2) years of experience in a clinical setting.

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of mental illness on children, adolescents, and their families.
• Must be able to identify theories and methods of intervention and knowledge about the etiology and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorder.
• Must have a high level of attention to detail and task completion as well as dependability is highly desirable.
• Must be familiar with relevant care systems and agency characteristics is desirable.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals, families, and other professionals in essential.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices *

• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)

• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

• Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Are you willing to take a mandatory pre-employment drug test?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you listed on the Registry of Convicted Sex Offenders?

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "yes" to being on the Registry of Convicted Sex Offenders, please explain.

04

"Please check to acknowledge your understanding of the above paragraph."

• Acknowledge

05

From where did you learn of this employment opportunity?

06

Have you ever held a full-time equivalent (FTE) position within a SC state agency or been a certified employee within a SC school district?

• Yes
• No

07

OMH would like to know if you have a masters degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences?

• Yes
• No

08

OMH would like to know if you have a masters degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences and one year (1) year or more of post graduate clinical counseling experience?

• Yes
• No

09

OMH would like to know if you have successfully completed graduate-level coursework in Psychodiagnostics and Psychopathology?

• Yes
• No

10

OMH would like to know if you have any previous mental health crisis experience? If so, please explain.

11

OMH would like to know if you have the ability to perform concurrent documentation?

• Yes
• No

12

OMH would like to know if you are able to work in a school-based setting?

• Yes
• No

13

OMH would like to know if you have a license--LISW, LPC, etc.?

• Yes
• No

14

If you answered yes to question above, please list the accrediting entity.

15

Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable").

16

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (Other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record). This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application.PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTIONS WILL DEEM YOUR APPPLCATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below.

• Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Mental Health-MHC Columbia Area Address P.O. Box 485

Columbia, South Carolina, 29202

Phone 803-898-4830

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.