Behavioral Science Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $67,728.00 - $94,758.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 190236
Agency: Department of Social Services
Division: Office of Strategic Planning & Innovation
Opening Date: 07/07/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Class Code:: AH45
Position Number:: 61015603
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN11
Hiring Range - Min.: $67,728.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $94,758.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online. All correspondence from DSS Human Resources will be made through electronic mail, unless otherwise indicated.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!
Job Duties:

• The Prevention Services Manager provides daily leadership and operational oversight to the Regional Prevention Services Coordinators statewide, ensuring consistent guidance, coordination, and adherence to agency expectations. The Manager supports internal child welfare staff by assisting them in identifying the most appropriate prevention services. The Manager serves as an expert on the agency's service array and is responsible for providing oversight of evidence-based practices and the broader prevention service array to promote high-quality, compliant, and effective service delivery across all assigned areas. The Manager will also be responsible for overseeing an assigned region's day to day prevention services operations.

• Provides oversight and technical assistance to service providers and internal DSS staff to support effective implementation of Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) and other child-welfare-related support services.

• Leads strategic planning and operational alignment to strengthen the statewide prevention service array, ensuring that program goals, staffing structures, workflows, and service-delivery expectations are coordinated across regions and aligned with agency priorities. This includes identifying systemic barriers, recommending policy or process improvements, and guiding the long-term development of prevention services.

• Supervises the day-to-day activities of Regional Prevention Services Coordinators statewide, ensuring consistent guidance, adherence to policy, and alignment with best-practice expectations.

• Authorizes and supports FFPSA-related services to ensure compliance with Title IV-E Prevention requirements and promote high-quality service delivery.

• Monitors and tracks service utilization, eligibility, and outcomes within assigned areas in collaboration with the agency's internal CQI team, ensuring accurate analysis and reporting. Findings may be presented to county and regional DSS leadership, providers, and other community stakeholders as appropriate to support data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Oversees statewide performance, accountability, and cross-division coordination by analyzing trends, monitoring regional implementation consistency, and ensuring that Regional Coordinators receive the direction, resources, and escalation pathways needed to resolve complex operational issue.

• Consults with county and regional child welfare services staff on the implementation of the service array and collaborates with relevant CWS program areas to support effective service planning and coordination. They work closely with community providers and partner agencies to assess service gaps and help strengthen the service-array infrastructure.

• Ensures that Personal Identifying Information (PII) is properly used, accessed, gathered, shared and disposed. Protects the agency networks and applications by safeguarding systems, equipment and data.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, Counseling, Behavioral Science, Human Services, or a related field and three (3) years of related professional experience.
Or a Master's Degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, Counseling, Behavioral Science, Human Services, or a related field and one (1) year of related professional experience.
Additional Comments
This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.
A valid drivers license is required .Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

DIVISION: Office of Agency Transformation / Richland County
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 terminated or forced to resign from any job? If yes, please explain.
02
I understand that supplemental questions are considered part of the official application. Any misrepresentation will result in disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. If there are periods of time when you were not employed, you must also list those periods on your employment application. A resume cannot be submitted for completed work history and education sections of the employment application. The employment application may be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded. I have read and acknowledge the above.

• Yes
• No

03
I understand that by completion and submission of this application, that if I possess educational credentials that qualify me for the available position(s) and in the event I am offered a position with the SC Department of Social Services, I will be required to provide a certified official transcript within two (2) weeks of employment.

• Yes
• No

04
If you selected "Yes" that you are a veteran in the Agency-Wide Questions, are you able to provide a Member 4, Service 2-Copy, or NGB22 DD-214?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you ever been employed by the State of South Carolina?
06
How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• HR Recruiter
• DSS Employee
• DSS Internship
• Careers Website
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• SCWORKS
• College/University Job Portal
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Radio/TV/Billboard
• Other

07
If you selected "Other" or "DSS Employee" in the previous question, please list the source below.
08
Have you completed an internship with the SC Department of Social Services?

• Yes
• No

09
Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate
• None of the above

10
Do you have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, Counseling, Behavioral Science, Human Services, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

11
What major(s) did you receive your degree(s) in? If you do not have a degree, enter N/A
Required Question