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Posted: April 13, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Mental Health Professional / ACT / Substance Use (Aiken)

State of South Carolina

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Fresh

Location

Salary

$51,039 - $72,000

per year

Closes

May 13, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working on a team that provides intensive, community-based support to people with serious mental health issues and substance use problems, helping them through assessments, therapy, and planning for recovery.

You'll use techniques like motivational interviewing and relapse prevention to guide clients toward wellness without needing hospital stays.

It's a great fit for someone with a counseling background who enjoys direct patient interaction and building community resources.

Key Requirements

  • Master’s degree in guidance, counseling, social sciences, or related field
  • Licensed as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in South Carolina or Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
  • Evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care (e.g., practicum, internship, or post-graduate work)
  • One year of post-graduate experience in counseling or treatment
  • Ability to conduct substance use assessments and track stages of change
  • Participation in clinical supervision, team meetings, and professional development
  • Completion of required trainings (e.g., Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs) and adherence to standards like CARF and QA/OMH

Full Job Description

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 I/ ACT Team / Substance Use 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.


As a Mental Health Professional I/ ACT Team / Substance Use you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment ( ACT) team providing evidenced based services in an intensive non-residential treatment and rehabilitative services in accordance with the fidelity model.

This is a single fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who require higher levels of community care and have not been well supported in lower level of care options

Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I/ ACT Team / Substance Use:

  • Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments and assesses and tracks beneficiary's stages of change readiness and stages of treatment.
  • Ensure patients are seen in accordance with their needs and the team's treatment approaches are consistent with beneficiary's stages of change readiness.
  • Facilitate access to 12 step groups and other community groups.
  • Provide direct services to patients using cognitive behavioral approaches and relapse prevention and uses outreach and motivational interviewing techniques in
    earlier stages of change readiness.
  • Facilitate the person-centered planning process for beneficiaries assigned to them.
  • Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, and pursues professional development.
  • Serve as a consultant and educator to ACT team members on the topic of integrated dual disorder treatment.
  • Complete documentation according to QA/OMH standards, Compile 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, and OMH and Center policies and Procedures.


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.

Requirements

  • A Masters’ degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences or a related field.
  • Must be licensed as a Licensed Addiction Counselor in SC or Master Addiction Counselor.
Additional Requirements:

In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, 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.

  • Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.
  • Qualifications

    • One (1) year of post-graduate experience providing counseling/treatment.
    • Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

    Additional Information

    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.
    • Have the ability to listen and understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
    • Have knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
    • Have the ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
    • Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
    • Have the ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.
    • Be provided supervision by ACT team lead.
    • Employee's activities are governed by Center and OMH policy and procedure.
    • Understand a flexible schedule is required.
    Position is essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.


    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 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 *

    *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.

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 4/13/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/14/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-sc-5301525