Mental Health Professional I / CAF School Based (Columbia Area)

Salary: $51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 188615
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Columbia Area Mental Health Center
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 6/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: GA55
Position Number:: 60014058
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN08
Hiring Range - Min.: $51,039.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $59,622.00
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education using verifiable dates.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's 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 life's 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 Center, CAF School Mental Health Services, CAMHC #073.

As the Mental Health Professional, working under general supervision, you will provide advanced assessment, crisis management, short-and long-term individual and family therapy, and case management services for children and their families who present with psychiatric needs. The main goal of interventions will be to reduce psychiatric symptomatology and increase positive functioning within a variety of ecological systems. Services are delivered in school-based setting.
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I :

• Provide an array of clinical services to promote recovery, stabilization and independence based on the patient's needs and plan of care.
• Ensure that documentation is reflective of the quality care expected of this position to include Collaborative Documentation / timely record keeping.
• Provide Family Therapy as regular component of treatment.
• 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/staff meetings.
• Maintain competency in at least one Evidence Based Practice.
• Ensure patient functionality is measured by the DLA-20.
• Respond to telephone messages, e-mails, Teams messages, and inter-office mail.
• Retain overall responsibility for meeting Quality Assurance and CARF standards.
• Ensure appropriate, timely response to patient requests for services.
• Provide school consultation, education, and prevention services to the school district through the provision of faculty and staff in-service training, consultation to faculty and staff, classroom presentations, Parent-Teach Organization presentations, and critical incident debriefing and / or adverse incident response.
• Comply with the Office of Mental Health Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

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

In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, applicants must provide evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care. This experience may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate program, or post-graduate clinical experience. Please be sure to provide specific clinical activities on your application and/or resume.
Preferred Qualifications

• Have knowledge about the etiology and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders.
• Have a high-level attention to detail and task completion as well as dependability.
• Have familiarity with relevant systems of care and agency characteristics.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:

• Have knowledge about the impact of mental illness on children, adolescents, and their families.
• Have knowledge about theories and methods of intervention.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals, families and other professionals.
• Be able to function independently and with minimal supervision.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

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 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
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*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


Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02


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 QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION 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.

03


Are you a graduate of an accredited college/university with a master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have two (2) years post-Master's direct patient care experience in a clinical setting? If so, please be sure that is in your application.

• Yes
• No

05


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