Client Advocate I / Peer Support-ACT Program (Orangeburg)

Client Advocate I / Peer Support-ACT Program (Orangeburg)

Salary

$37,200.00 - $48,300.00 Annually

Location

Orangeburg County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

190714

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center

Opening Date

07/22/2026

Closing Date

8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA24

Position Number:

60018367

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN06

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.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

Are you passionate about making a real difference in peoples 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 Client Advocate I / Peer Support for our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate lifes 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 (SDBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center 2319 St. Matthews Road Orangeburg SC 29118.

As the Client Advocate, working under direct supervision, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team and provide evidenced-based services in an intensive non-residential treatment and rehabilitative services in accordance with the fidelity model. 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 the Client Advocate:

• Provide direct services through coaching mentoring and consultation to the patient to promote recovery, self-advocacy and self-direction. Promote wellness management strategies, which include delivering manualized interventions, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or Illness Management and Recovery. Assist patients in developing Psychiatric Advanced Directives. Model recovery values, attitudes, beliefs and personal action to encourage wellness and resilience.
• Maintain medical records documentation standards with QA, OMH and CARF policies and procedures. Document services collaboratively with the patient as appropriate.
• Provide consultation to ACT Team members to assist in understanding recovery and the role of the CPSS, promoting a culture in which patients points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment.
• Serve as an active member of the ACT team, which includes facilitating the IPOC process for patients assigned to them. Regularly participates in the daily team meetings and treatment planning meetings. Ensure at least a monthly staffing of each patient that they serve.
• Provide patients with satisfaction surveys to measure the patients own perception of care, access to service, and improve the quality of treatment.
• Adhere to policies and procedures according to Corporate Compliance, Fire and Safety, and CARF. Comply with the SCBHDD-Office of Mental Health Compliance Plan and all legal responsibilities and requirements in performing your job duties. Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings. Maintains CPSS certification. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, and SCBHDD-OMH and Center policies and procedures.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience. A bachelors degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and self-identify as a person diagnoses with mental health illness.
• Demonstrate at least two (2) years of sustained recovery without relapse.
• Completion of 100 hours of unsupervised, paid or volunteer work providing support services to individuals diagnoses with mental illness, substance use or co-occurring disorder.
• Have a personal recovery story specific to primary mental illness.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift 5lbs and operate a state vehicle.
• Obtain and maintain PSS Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must:

• Ability to communicate orally and inwriting.
• Be able use problem-solving and decision-making skills effectively.
• Be knowledge able of agency and community resources and have the ability to link individuals with resources.
• Be able to effectively teach individuals how to take responsibility for recovery without relapsing.
• Have the ability to effectively advocate for patient needs
• Be able to effectively collaborate with treatment team.
• Be able to demonstrate sustained recovery.
• Position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.
• Position will be part of the Assertive Community Treatment Team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to provide services are delivered in the community and patients homes.

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 here 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(S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices *

• State Retirement Plan(SCRS)

• State Optional Retirement Program(State ORP)

• 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.

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

03

Are you at least 18 years of age and self-identified as a person diagnoses with mental illness?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you at least two (2) years or more from having a recovery relapse?

• Yes
• No

05

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

06

Do you have a high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have PSS Certification or have met the requirements to obtain the certification?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have a personal recovery story specific to primary mental health illness?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033

Phone OIDD - (803)898-9600

OMH - (803) 898-8600

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.