Developmental Disabilities Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $61,801.00 - $80,000.00 Annually
Location : Aiken County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191039
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: GA56
Position Number:: 60024069
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN09
Hiring Range - Min.: $61,801.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $80,000.00
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.
Job Responsibilities
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's 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 II - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken) who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's 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, Aiken Barnwell Mental Health Center, 1135 Gregg Highway, Aiken, SC 29801.
The Mental Health Professional II - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken) under general supervision, will provide assessment/counseling interventions/treatment to patients with serious mental illnesses, developmental disorders, and/or autism spectrum disorders and will ensure linkages for therapeutic needs to promote wellbeing for patients.
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional II - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Aiken):

• Provide evidenced based services to children, adolescents, & adults, provide individual psychotherapy using developmentally adapted evidence-based practices.
• Provide family therapy and caregiver coaching to support skill development at home and in the community.
• Conduct intake assessments and treatment planning using IDD/MI/SED appropriate tools and strategies.
• Use trauma-informed, non-coercive crisis de-escalation strategies.
• Conduct modified suicide risk and crisis assessments that consider communication limitations.
• Develop Personal Safety Plan.
• Modify therapeutic materials to meet the cognitive, sensory, and communication needs of each client.
• Incorporate visual supports, social stories, modeling, video modeling, and structured teaching strategies into therapy.
• Ensure patients are seen as per LOC guidelines; address patient barriers to services; ensure crises are staffed; ensure internal & external customer satisfaction.
• Meet patient care hour standards.
• Work closely with families, caregivers, case managers, school personnel, residential staff, ABA providers, and other treatment team members.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and provide input.
• Coordinate care to ensure consistency across settings.
• Complete documentation is according to QI policies.
• Document services and contracts to patients.
• Keep billing disallowances to a minimum. Produce outcomes and/or progress summaries that reflect patient improvement.
• Write objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time limited. Write objectives and interventions that address patients' SNAPs.
• Meet collaborative documentation standards.
• Adhere to Center, OMH, & State Corporate Compliance policies, procedures, and responsibilities.
• Make good faith effort to report violations/
• Does not intentionally violate laws regulating the provision of health care. Adhere to Code of Conduct.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Maintain license/certifications.
• Comply with training requirements.
• Attend supervision. Participate in other meetings as required.

For MHP Student Loan Repayment:
This position MAY be eligible for SCOMH Student Loan Repayment to cover some of the cost of your outstanding loan(s) balance associated with the completion of a healthcare degree that is relevant to the appliable position.
Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A Master's degree and professional experience in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and two (2) years of experience in clinical setting.

Additional Requirements

• Follows all established SCOMH policies and procedures.
• Ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:

• Have sound theoretical knowledge of principles, methods, counseling practices, and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral, developmental, autistic, and mental disorders.
• Have the ability to listen and understand, and effectively communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
• Have some knowledge of psychopathology and patient management within the behavioral health setting.
• Have some knowledge of basic health and welfare services provided by other public and private agencies.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
• Be an experienced therapist who manages assigned cases and makes clinical decisions regarding their clients, largely independent of their
  supervisor. These clinical decisions include therapeutic treatment (both in frequency and intensity), client follow-up, decisions or linkage to the
  physician, and medication coordination.
• Be responsible for developing the treatment plan with the client establishing treatment goals and objectives. On a daily basis you will work with clients in crisis, making decisions that may involve the safety and wellbeing of client.
• Follows all established SCOMH policies and procedures.
• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.
• Be able to operate a state vehicle.

This position is considered Essential. Therefore, you may be asked to report to work even if the center is closed during an emergency.
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 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
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*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 at least a Master's degree and professional experience in guidance, counseling or the social sciences and two (2) years of experience in clinical setting?

• Yes
• No

04
Three (3) out of four (4) of the following classes are required for credentialing. Please select which of the following courses that you completed in graduate school.

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

05
Do you possess any special certifications or SC license (LISW, LISW-CP, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, etc.?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered yes to the above question, please list certification or license.
07
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

08
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.
09
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

10
Please attach a copy of your resume', transcripts, specifically certification and / or license. Please indicate your understanding of this statement by checking box below.

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

11
Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question