Forensic Interview Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $61,801.00 - $69,985.00 Annually
Location : Charleston County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 190361
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: GA56
Position Number:: 60005563
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Pay Grade: GEN09
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.
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Working hours will be discussed during the interview. This is an essential position and may require some after-hours work to help fill in when staff are out.
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 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 (OMH), Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center, 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414.
Under the supervision of mental health center staff and with training and direction from forensic services, you will be the outpatient Forensic support Mental Health Professional II working to support patients at high risk of repeated criminal justice involvement. Your responsibility will include an entire BHDD-OMH region of the state.
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional II:

• Follow and attempt to engage Forensic VIP patients at the center and/or in jail.
• Assess for emergency or judicial commitment; file commitment papers.
• Monitor all individuals awaiting forensic admission and provide updates to the center director and forensic director, to include notifying the appropriate parties when patient on a therapeutic bond does not show up for scheduled injection and as appropriate, notify the Forensic Evaluation Service (FES). Consult email box when a VIP client is arrested.
• Assist BHDD-OMH forensic staff in contacting defendants involved in the forensic evaluation process, to include assisting with scheduling virtual or in-person sessions at the center with off site forensic staff.
• Support discharge and release planning in collaboration with the Office of Transition Programs to include, but not limited to, assisting with obtaining identifying documents and other verifications necessary to establish a financial platform; obtaining signatures; identifying substitute decision makers as needed.
• Refer appropriate Forensic VIP patients to appropriate programming at the mental health center (e.g., ACT Teams, Navigate, Homeless Programs, etc.} and for treatment within the jail.
• Provide the appropriate evidence-based therapy (e.g., CBT-p) to treatment resistant patients.

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

• A current and valid SC Driver's license.
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift up to 25 pounds or more in an emergency situation, climb stairs, and the ability to move freely throughout the entire facility.
• This position is considered essential and staff will have to provide hazardous weather coverage, Weekend and after hours schedules will be rare, but may be necessary.
• In state travel will be required.
• In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the BHDD-OMH, 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensure
• Knowledge and experience in criminal justice setting.

Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must have:

• Experience with individual and group counseling.
• The ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with patients and staff.
• Computer skills sufficient to complete essential job duties.
• Be able to independently use good clinical judgment and critical thinking and professionally communicate with community and justice stakeholders.

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) - Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) (formerly SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs) or Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) (formerly Dept. of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)?

• 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 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
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

05
Are you willing to provide hazardous weather coverage and weekend and after hours schedules if necessary?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you willing and able to travel in state as needed?

• Yes
• No

07
Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question