Mental Health Professional I - School Based - Dorchester District 2 - (Charleston)

Salary: $51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually
Location : Dorchester County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 188652
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 7/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: GA55
Position Number:: 60005568
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN08
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
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 School Based Mental Health Professional 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 Center - Dorchester Clinic, 106 Springview Lane, Summerville, SC 29485.
Under general supervision, the School Based Mental Health Professional will provide mental health counseling services to children, adolescents and their families open to the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center. Services to be provided in the school, clinic and community settings. This position is serving primarily school-based patients and their families in Dorchester District II.

Responsibilities for the School Based Mental Health Professional :

• Provide quality person-centered care as demonstrated by use of evidence-based clinical interventions.
• Provide all forms of direct services as credentialed by the Center in an efficient manner as evidenced by meeting the established productivity expectation.
• Provide Family Therapy.
• Documentation is reflective of the quality care expected of this position.
• Demonstrate recognition of importance of collaboration and teamwork within the Center and the community.
• Maintain competency in EBPs.
• Ensure patient functionality is measured according to established standards.
• Retain overall responsibility for meeting QA standards.
• Ensure timely response to request for services.
• Attend all trainings classified mandatory by Federal and State regulation and Center policy. Complies with all OMH/CDMHC policies and protocols, applicable Quality Assurance, Corporate Compliance and Cultural Competence, and CARF policies, procedures and regulations and all Federal and State laws.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

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

Additional Requirements

• To be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, 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.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments

• The employee may be expected to use his or her personally owned vehicle frequently for business and will be reimbursed according to applicable State policies & procedures.
• The employee is required to have a serviceable personal vehicle and a valid S.C. driver's license.
• Communicates with resources, families and professionals.

Post hire, employees must:

• Have working knowledge of Mental Health legal principles and practices, of methods, principles and practices of clinical counseling and educational services.
• Have considerable knowledge of psychopathology and patient management in psychiatric setting.
• Have working knowledge of basic health and welfare services provided by other agencies.
• Be able to effectively plan, coordinate and manage complex treatment and to the ability to 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?

• 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