Mental Health Professional II - MEDC

Location: Richland County, SC

Job Type: FTE - Full-Time

Job Number: 194585 Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Division: Facility Rehabilitation & Health Services

Closing Date: 11/10/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Pay Grade: GEN09Hiring Range - Min.: $67,715.00EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Responsibilities: If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).MISSION:It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

JOB PURPOSE: QMHPs aim to provide effective assessment, treatment, and case management services to address the criminogenic needs of short-term and/or long-term youth, supporting their well-being and aiding in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. By addressing the criminogenic needs of youth through targeted intervention and individually tailored and responsive services, which includes family and community engagement, QMHPs contribute to creating a safer, more supportive, and therapeutic environment that aligns with the agency mission and vision to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and help youth discover their strengths and abilities and become productive and successful citizens.

JOB DUTIES: Assessment and Treatment Planning: Conduct thorough assessment of assigned youths' criminogenic needs to identify areas of targeted engagement and intervention. Develop individually tailored and responsive treatment plans based on youths' criminogenic needs, collaborating with other professionals and disciplines to support comprehensive care. Engagement, Intervention, and Progress Monitoring: Provides evidenced-based and evidenced-informed treatment and rehabilitative services that align with youths' individual treatment plan. These treatment and rehabilitative services include but may not be limited to individual, group, and/or family engagement and collaborative services, crisis intervention, case management, facilitation of psychiatry clinic, participation in multidisciplinary treatment teams, monitoring of progress, etc. Documentation: Ensures that all provided services and engagement with youth, families, and associated entities (i.e., community agencies, etc.) are appropriately and accurately documented per agency policies and procedures, in concert with ethical and legal guidelines and standards. Crisis Intervention: Provides clinical assessment, support, and intervention to youth and staff during times of reported crisis. This may include but may not be limited to assessing the youth for possible suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, speaking with staff, de-escalation of youth and/or staff, providing recommendations, communicating with other disciplines, psychiatric referral, etc. Crisis response and intervention may take place during both work and after-work hours, as QMHPs and MHPs serve in an on-call rotation. Professional Development: Engages in required and volitional in-person and online training per agency policies, licensure requirements, and/or as assigned. Performs other job duties as assigned. Minimum and Additional RequirementsSTATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field, and professional experience in mental health, human services or social services program.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Knowledge of counseling skills, techniques, and interventions. Knowledge of child and adolescent development, mental and behavioral health, and family systems, including best practices and treatment modalities (e.g., motivational interviewing, DBT skills, cognitive behavioral interventions, etc.) to address issues in these areas. Knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic assessment. Knowledge of applicable ethical and legal standards. Knowledge of effective case management and treatment planning principles. Ability to integrate information from various sources. Ability to engage youth and families from varied backgrounds, lived experiences, and cultural perspectives. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to identify need for technical assistance/consultation and develop resources to meet those needs. Little to no overnight travel is expected. Provide on call services on a rotating basis with other mental health professionals. This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of DJJ, and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of DJJ.Role requires ability to be flexible and adapt within a potentially high-stress environment, with an emphasis on safety and security, and effective management of youth behaviors. Must be able to work varied hours.

Preferred QualificationsPREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: A master's degree in counseling, counseling psychology, applied psychology, or social work with at least one year of direct clinical experience; state licensure as an LPC-A, LPC, LPC-S, LMSW, or LISW-CP.Additional Comments The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance15 days annual (vacation) leave per year15 days of sick leave per year13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as Ticketat

Sign-On Bonus: Agencies may give sign-on bonuses to individuals recruited to critical needs jobs at the beginning of their employment with the agency. Bonuses cannot be offered or given to employees moving from other agencies by transfer, promotion or demotion. Sign-on bonuses are limited to one per employee, per year. 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 BenefitsState 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 BenefitsState 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.01I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is an equal opportunity employer. DJJ does not discriminate in hiring, promotions, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or other employment aspects based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. Any acts you feel are in violation, please get in touch with the Office of Human Resources, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC (803) 896-5607.YesNo02I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's School District also does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The following offices have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the school district's nondiscrimination policies: Title IX - Inspector General's Office - 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210-5427 - Ph: 803-896-9595; Special Education Office, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC I have read and fully understand DJJ's position concerning the law. YesNo03I understand that SCDJJ will not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with residents and shall not enlist the services of any contractor who may have contact with residents who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility juvenile facility, or other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997); has been convicted of engaging in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above. YesNo04I understand that my fingerprint record received from the FBI and SLED must indicate no felony convictions as a condition of employment. YesNo05I certify that I have not been convicted of any criminal offenses that carries a sentence of 1 year or more or any criminal offenses that involves moral turpitude (an act contrary to the accepted rule of right and duty to man and society). Forfeiture of bond, a guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere is considered the equivalent of a conviction. YesNo06Have you or any members of your family ever been a victim of a crime committed by a juvenile who is currently under the supervision of SCDJJ? If yes, type in "Yes" and give your last name of the juvenile, date, and location of trial. If no, please type "No".07Do you currently or have you ever worked in or have been professionally associated with a prison, jail, lock, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1997?YesNo08If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the institution(s) and your date(s) of employment.09 Are you currently employed or have you previously been employed with SCDJJ?YesNo10Are you able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation? YesNo11Are you at least 21 years of age? YesNo12Do you have a valid driver's license? YesNo13Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the U.S.?YesNo14How did you hear about this position? SC Government Website (jobs.sc.gov) Career FairSC WorksIndeed.comDJJ Employee Other15If you answered "DJJ Employee" to the previous question please list employee's name.16If you answered "Other" to the previous question, please tell us how you learned of this position.17Do you possess a master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences or a related field, and have professional experience in mental health, human services or social services program? YesNo18Do you possess state licensure as an LPC-A, or LPC; or LISW-CP by SCBSWE?YesNo19I understand that any misrepresentation, omission of facts, or otherwise falsification on this application and attachments will result in disapproval of this application or termination of employment. YesNo20Please provide us with two (2) references. One (1) professional reference and one (1) personal reference (non-family member). Please list name(s), phone number(s), and email address(es).Required Question