Mental Health Professional I / Dorchester Emergency Services (Charleston)

Salary: $51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually
Location : Dorchester County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 187980
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Charleston-Dorchester Mental Health Center
Opening Date: 05/04/2026
Closing Date: 6/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: GA55
Position Number:: 60016806
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN08
Opening Date: 05/04/2026
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, Charleston Dorchester Mental Health, Dorchester Clinic 106 Springview Lane, Summerville SC 29485. (St. George Police Department)

Under limited supervision, you will provide clinical assessment and therapeutic services for adolescents, adults and their families who have interacted with local law enforcement agencies. This position will serve adults, and families who have witness or experiences violence or victimization or have other mental health needs. This position will hold a caseload of victims of crime along with additional duties as needed for the Dorchester Clinic. This clinician will be embedded at the St George Police Department.
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional - Dorchester Emergency Services:

• Provide individual and family therapy with trauma focus approach. Provide other- treatment-related services and complete other related administrative functions.
• Perform assessment and crisis counseling to client and arrange dispositions for cases requiring a different level of care, including consultation with psychiatrist. as necessary.
• Maintain a liaison with personnel of other agencies/resources to facilitate treatment of assigned clients, consult with police department personnel when deemed appropriate.
• Maintain, per deadlines established, all necessary documentation of all services in accordance with Quality Improvement, OMH, and CARF standards.
• Participate in peer audits as scheduled.
• Comply with all applicable Quality Assurance, Corporate Compliance and Cultural Competence policies, procedures and regulations of all Federal and State laws as well as attend all trainings classified mandatory by Federal and State regulations.
• Engage in additional training to maintain professional development.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field.

Additional Requirements

• 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

• A Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited program, university, or college in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling or other behavioral discipline deemed equivalent by SCOMH and one (1) year of post-graduate.

Additional Comments
Post hire, employee must:

• Have working knowledge of mental health legal principles and practices.
• Have considerable knowledge of psychopathology and patient management in a psychiatric setting.

• Have working knowledge of basic health and welfare services provided by other agencies.
• Have the ability to effectively plan, coordinate and manage complex treatment and conduct detailed investigations, draw conclusions and recommend required actions.

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 at least a master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or related field?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you a graduate of an accredited program/college/university with a doctorate degree in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling or other equivalent behavioral discipline with 1 year of post graduate experience?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have direct patient care experience in a clinical setting, either post-Masters or during your graduate program (i.e., internship or practicum)? If so, please be sure that it is listed in your application and/or resume.

• Yes
• No

06


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