Mental Health Associate

Full-Time Position

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team.

Why the Department of Corrections?

At The Department Of Corrections (DOC), We Have An Opportunity To Make a Difference. As a Department Of Corrections Employee, You Will Have a Chance To Experience Creativity – We are always looking for innovative ideas to help us achieve improved outcomes. Making a difference – You will have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of fellow South Dakotans. Professional development – We provide valuable trainings to ensure well-trained staff that are competent, accountable, and empowered and will assist you in reaching your career goals. Teamwork – In a team-oriented approach, you will have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a friendly work environment to achieve shared goals.

Who We Want

A highly motivated and experienced person with a passion for serving the public and displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals; a compassionate individual who listens attentively to others and clearly conveys information and ideas; a dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities; a person who is dedicated and who will represent the DOC with integrity and enthusiasm; an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

Knowledge of the Ideal Candidate

Will Have: experience working with clients that have been involved in the criminal justice system; evidenced-based practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders; charting and report writing.

Skill

To Identify and Effectively Communicate Offender Behaviors, Problems, and Symptoms to Mental Health Professionals; Conduct Brief Screenings and Appraisals.

Ability

To Conduct Individual and Group Counseling Sessions; Gather, Interpret, Report, and Use Information Concerning Clients; Establish and Maintain Effective Interpersonal Counseling Relationships with Clients; Perform Mental Health Screenings and Appraisals; Make Recommendations and Referrals When Outside of Scope of Practice; Work Collaboratively Within a Multidisciplinary Staff Setting; Work in a Correctional Facility; Adhere to the Safety and Security Processes of Such Correctional Facility.

What You Will Do

• Provides Mental Health Services to Offenders Under the Supervision of Mental Health Professionals and in Compliance with Mental Health Guidelines;
• Participates in Mental Health Treatment Services and Special Unit Management;
• Provides Input into Mental Health Assessments, Facilitates Groups, and Aids in Facilitation of Psychiatric Clinics and Tele-Health Sessions;
• Aids in Daily Management and Monitors Assigned Offenders with Mental Illness;
• Schedules and Facilitates Mental Health Appointments;
• Participates as a Member of an Multidisciplinary Team;
• Provides Input Needed for Treatment and Management Planning to Include Observation of Offender Behaviors, Problems, Symptoms, and Response to Treatment Interventions;
• Informs Offenders Regarding Mental Healthcare Supervision and Treatment;
• Listens to Offender Concerns and Provides Counseling, Direction, and Referral;
• Communicates Regarding Complaints, Problems, Incidents, and Offender Behavioral Management Issues;
• Responds to Complaints, Problems, Actions, or Behaviors Within Scope of Practice;
• Promotes and Is Accountable for the Safety and Security of the Clinical and Correctional Environment Through Conscientious Observations, and Sensitive Item Contraband Control;
• Informs Supervisor of Any Violations of Safety and Security Through the Report Writing Process, Attends Training Programs as Assigned, Including Self-Defense Course to Ensure Self-Protection Skills.

Qualifications

• Must Possess a Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution in One of the Following Mental Health Fields: Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Required Competencies: Ability to Provide Direct Mental Health Support Services to Clients; Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills; Excellent Interpersonal Skills with the Ability to Collaborate Effectively; Ability to Work Independently Under Supervision; Ability to Provide Comprehensive Clinical Documentation; Ability to Work with a Diverse Population of Clients; Ability to Provide Mental Health Support Services as Part of a Multidisciplinary Team.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience Working in a Correctional Environment; Experience in Processes Such as Relaxation Training, Social Skills Groups, or Recreational Activities; Experience in Scheduling Psychiatric Clinics; Experience Providing Supportive Services and Direct Client Care.

Additional Requirements

To Be Considered, Please Attach Your Resume and Three Professional References. This Position Is Eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. Successful Applicant(s) Will Be Required to Undergo a Background Investigation. An Arrest/Conviction Record Will Not Necessarily Bar Employment. Successful Applicant(s) Will Undergo an Abuse and Neglect Screening. Offers of Employment Are Conditional Upon Successful Completion of a Drug Screening. NCRC: If You Possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, Please Submit the Certificate with Your Application. For More Information on How to Acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate Contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A Certificate Is Not Necessary to Be Considered. The State of South Dakota Does Not Sponsor Work Visas for New or Existing Employees. All Persons Hired Will Be Required to Verify Identity and Eligibility to Work in the United States and Complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota As an Employer Will Be Using E-Verify to Complete Employment Eligibility Verification Upon Hire. The State of South Dakota Offers $0 Premium Employee Health Insurance Option Plus Eleven Paid Holidays, Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual, Dental, Vision, and Other Insurance Options, and Retirement Benefits. You Can View Our Benefits Information Here . This Position Is a Member of Class A Retirement Under SDRS. Must Apply Online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=4CD You Must Apply Online, Email Resumes or Submissions Will Not Be Accepted. South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus "An Equal Opportunity Employer"