Mental Health Professional I - School Based (Lexington School District 4)

Mental Health Professional I - School Based (Lexington School District 4)

Salary

$51,039.00 - $59,622.00 Annually

Location

Lexington County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

188299

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Division

Lexington County Community Mental Health Center

Opening Date

05/15/2026

Closing Date

6/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Please apply online.

Class Code:

GA55

Position Number:

60011939

Normal Work Schedule:

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

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$51,039.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$59,622.00

Opening Date

05/15/2026

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 (OMH), Lexington County Community Mental Health Center, 301 Palmetto Park Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072. This position provides school mental health counseling services as an embedded mental health professional in Sandhills Middle, Swansea Freshman Academy, and Swansea High School.

As the Mental Health Professional, working under general supervision of the program supervisor, you will be a therapist providing a full array of clinical services to patients referred to the School Mental Health program.

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I:

• Provide clinical assessments, individual, family & group treatment, as well as crisis intervention services for assigned patients utilizing a variety of therapeutic and best practice approaches, following access to care guidelines, caseload limit recommendations, and continuity of care procedures. Provide clinical services in accordance with the LCCMHC Patient Care Hours Policy with 803 hours annually of work time in provision of direct service.
• Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities. Effectively utilize and maintain certification of evidence-based practices.
• Provide consultation and training on mental health issues to our community partners (schools) on an as needed basis. Respond to non-patient mental health crisis in the assigned school.
• Complete documentation according to QA/OMH 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. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, OMH and Center policies and Procedures.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A masters degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences.

Additional Requirements

• Must be licensed or eligible for licensure in SC and willing to work towards licensure in SC within first six months of employment.
• Ability to lift 5lbs and operate a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Comments

Post hire, employees must have:

• Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders
• Ability to listen and 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
• Ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports

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.

Position requires some additional travel due to being a community-based position (travel between schools and clinic for required meetings). Position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.

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

Did you graduate with masters degree from an accredited college/university in counseling, guidance or social sciences?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you licensed or eligible for licensure in SC and willing to work towards licensure in SC within first six months of employment?

• Yes
• No

05

Please select all of the courses that you have completed in graduate school.

• Ethics
• Psychopathology
• Psychodiagnostics
• Assessment
• None of the above courses have been completed.

06

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

07

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.

08

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) 898-091

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.