Mental Health Associate

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 36620
Agency: Department of Corrections - Behavioral Health
Location:Pierre, SD - Women's Prison
Salary: $23.56 to $31.00 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The South Dakota Department of Corrections is hiring! Join the DOC - view DOC Recruitment video here:

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team. For more information on the DOC, please visit

This position is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive


Full state benefits and SDRS retirement


Current and Previous State Employees do NOT qualify for the Hiring Incentive


This position works within our behavioral health team to provide mental health services to the offender population, and other supportive services.

Why the Department of Corrections?

At the Department of Corrections (DOC), we have an opportunity to make a difference. As a Department of Corrections employee, you will have a chance to experience:

• Creativity - We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes.
• Making a difference - You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of fellow South Dakotans.
• Professional development - We provide valuable trainings to ensure well-trained staff that are competent, accountable, and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals.
• Teamwork - In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

Who We Want:

• a highly motivated and experienced person with a passion for serving the public and displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• a compassionate individual who listens attentively to others and clearly conveys information and ideas;
• a dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities;
• a person who is dedicated and who will represent the DOC with integrity and enthusiasm;
• an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Knowledge of:

• experience working with clients that have been involved in the criminal justice system;
• evidenced-based practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders;
• charting and report writing.

Skill to:

• identify and effectively communicate offender behaviors, problems, and symptoms to mental health professionals;
• conduct brief screenings and appraisals.

Ability to:

• conduct individual and group counseling sessions;
• gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients;
• establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients;
• perform mental health screenings and appraisals;
• make recommendations and referrals when outside of scope of practice;
• work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary staff setting;
• work in a correctional facility;
• adhere to the safety and security processes of such correctional facility.

What You Will Do:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• provides mental health services to offenders under the supervision of mental health professionals and in compliance with mental health guidelines;
• participate in mental health treatment services and special unit management;
• provide input into mental health assessments, facilitate groups, and aid in facilitation of psychiatric clinics and tele-health sessions;
• assist in daily management and monitor assigned offenders with mental illness;
• schedule and facilitate mental health appointments;
• participate as a member of an multidisciplinary team;
• provide input needed for treatment and management planning to include observation of offender behaviors, problems, symptoms, and response to treatment interventions;
• inform offenders regarding mental healthcare supervision and treatment;
• listen to offender concerns and provide counseling, direction, and referral;
• communicate regarding complaints, problems, incidents, and offender behavioral management issues;
• respond to complaints, problems, actions, or behaviors within scope of practice;
• document electronically and in an accurate and timely manner to maintain offender mental health records;
• promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control;
• informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process, attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self-protection skills.

Qualifications:
Applicant must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in one of the following mental health fields: counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.

Required Competencies:

• ability to provide direct mental health support services to clients;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively;
• ability to work independently under supervision;
• ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• ability to work with a diverse population of clients;
• ability to provide mental health support services as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• experience working in a correctional environment;
• experience in processes such as relaxation training, social skills groups, or recreational activities;
• experience in scheduling psychiatric clinics;
• experience providing supportive services and direct client care.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume and three professional references.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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