Mental Health Professional I / ACT Substance Abuse Counselor (Catawba)

Salary: $51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually
Location : York County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 189040
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Catawba Community Mental Health Center
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 7/1/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Class Code:: GA55
Position Number:: 60028194
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Pay Grade: GEN08
Hiring Range - Min.: $51,039.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $59,622.00
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
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.
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Although regular hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:30-5:00, some flexibility may be required to meet program needs.
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 Substance Abuse Counselor for the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team 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, Catawba Community Mental Health Center (CCMHC), 205 Piedmont Blvd, Suite 100, Rock Hill, SC 29730

As a Mental Health Professional I / Substance Abuse Counselor, on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, you will provide evidence-based services in an intensive non-residential treatment and rehabilitative services. This is a single fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who require higher levels of community care and have not been well supported in lower level of care options.


Responsibilities for this Mental Health Professional I / Substance Use Counselor:

• Provide direct services to patients using cognitive behavioral approaches and relapse prevention and use outreach and motivational interviewing techniques in earlier stages of change readiness.
• Facilitate access to 12 step groups and other community groups.
• Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments and assesses and tracks beneficiary's stages of change readiness and stages of treatment.
• Ensure patients are seen in accordance with their needs and the team's treatment approaches are consistent with beneficiary's stages of change readiness.
• Facilitate the person-centered planning process for beneficiaries assigned to them.
• Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, and pursue professional development. Serve as a consultant and educator to ACT team members on the topic of integrated dual disorder treatment.
• Complete documentation according to Office of Mental Health / Quality Assurance standards, comply with Corporate Compliance Policy and Risk Management Plan, and Ensure timely completion of prior authorizations.
• Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Masters' degree in guidance, counseling or the social sciences or a related field.
• Licensed as an Addiction Counselor in SC or Master Addiction Counselor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:

• Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of addictions and mental disorders.
• Ability to listen, understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
• Knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
• Ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
• Be able to deliver services in the community and patients' homes.
• Perform all job duties and provide all services and documentation in compliance with CARF, OMH, CCMHC, Quality Assurance, Compliance, HIPAA, Transcultural and Productivity Standards, Policies and Procedures.

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


Did you graduate with at least a master's degree in social work, counseling, guidance, or the social sciences from an accredited university or college?

• Yes
• No

04


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

05


Please list which of the following courses you have completed in graduate school: Ethics, Psychopathology, Psychodiagnostics, Assessment.
06


Do you possess any special certifications or SC license (LISW, LISW-CP, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, etc?

• Yes
• No

07


If you answered yes to the above question, please list certification or license.
08


Are you a Licensed Addiction Counselor in SC or Master Addiction Counselor?

• Yes
• No

09


Have you been denied a professional license, or had a professional license revoked or limited by, and/or had any discipline or sanction imposed on you or your practice by a professional licensing board or body?

• Yes
• No

10


If you answered Yes to the question above, please provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by the board or body and your current status with that board or body.
11


Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
12


Please attach a copy of your resume', transcripts, specifically certification and / or license. Please indicate your understanding of this statement by checking box below.

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

Required Question