Mental Health Professional I / Adult Clinician / Highway to Hope Program (Charleston)

Mental Health Professional I / Adult Clinician / Highway to Hope Program (Charleston)

Salary

$51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually

Location

Charleston County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

188811

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Opening Date

05/27/2026

Closing Date

6/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60005693

Normal Work Schedule:

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

Pay Grade

GEN08

Opening Date

05/27/2026

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.

• 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 Mental Health Professional I 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 (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center, 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd Charleston, SC 29414.

Under limited supervision, the Mental Health Professional, will provide mental health counseling and case management services to adult patients open to the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center, as part of the Highway to Hope program. Services will primarily be provided on the Highway to Hope RV and in the community.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide quality person-centered care as demonstrated by the use of evidenced-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.
• 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.
• Ensure patient functionality is measured according to established standards.
• Retain overall responsibility for meeting QA standards.
• Responsible for overall operation of the Highway to Hope program, including collaboration with rural agencies, other providers, etc.
• Ensure timely response to request for services.
• Attend all trainings classified mandatory by Federal and State regulations and Center policy. Comply with all BHDD/CDMHC polices 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

• 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.

• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, and lift up to 5 pounds.

• Drive an RV and/or state care from location to location.

• The employee is required to have a serviceable personal vehicle and a valid SC drivers license.

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 BHDD.

Additional Comments

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 settings.
• 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 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. 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 masters degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you willing to drive an RV and/or state car from location to location

• Yes
• No

05

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

06

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

07

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

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.