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This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Corrections Behavioral Health team. For more information on the DOC, please visit

This position is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive

Full state benefits and SDRS retirement

Current and Previous State Employees do NOT qualify for the Hiring Incentive

This position provides mental health services to the offender population, to include formal and informal behavioral health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions.

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.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Knowledge of:

• experience working with clients that have been involved in the criminal justice system;
• experience working with clients that may have complex needs, dual diagnoses, and/or wide range of mental health functioning;
• theories and techniques used in counseling, crisis intervention, and substance use disorders;
• evidenced-based practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders;
• treatment planning, charting, and report writing;
• suicide prevention and intervention specifically related to the correctional population.

Skill to:

• effectively communicate and motivate treatment-resistant clients;
• conduct clinical interviews, assessments, and evaluations;
• diagnosing mental health disorders.

Ability to:

• conduct individual and group counseling or therapy sessions;
• gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning clients;
• establish and maintain effective interpersonal counseling relationships with clients;
• perform mental health evaluations, formulate treatment plans, and make recommendations on client care;
• work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary staff setting;
• respond to mental health crisis situations quickly and effectively;
• make clinical decisions regarding offender's mental health;
• work in a correctional facility;
• adhere to the safety and security processes of such correctional facility.

What You Will Do:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• provides professional mental health services to offenders to include formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions;
• provides group and individual counseling and therapy, and crisis intervention to include participation in 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for offenders experiencing acute mental health needs;
• provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental health care and treatment of offenders;
• assures continuity of care for offenders by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies;
• documents electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive offender mental health records;
• monitors offender treatment, listens to offender concerns, and provides counseling and direction;
• 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:
Applicant must possess a master's degree from an accredited institution in one of the following mental health fields: counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA).
• License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.
• Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.

Required Competencies:

• ability to provide professional mental health treatment to offenders;
• individual must be efficient;
• able to participate in 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies;
• ability to work independently;
• ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• ability to work with a diverse population of offenders;
• ability to provide professional mental health treatment as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Conditions of Employment:

The SD DOC is committed to a work environment free from illegal drugs and alcohol. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation, urine drug screen and the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Individuals selected for the position will have the opportunity to carry Oleoresin Capsicum (OC/pepper spray) if desired. If OC spray is carried, the staff carrying OC spay will be required to have direct (level 1) exposure during the training program. Individuals selected for the position must successfully complete a written and practical self-defense exam and successfully complete CPR to AHA guidelines - this includes successful completion of the practical/hands on portion as well as the written exam. Selected individuals must possess the physical ability to successfully complete the practical self-defense exam, which involves the following:

• lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
• stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
• use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
• withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
• get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions.

Additionally, TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.

The South Dakota Women's Prison is a National Health Services Corps (NHSC) approved site which can provide opportunities for student loan reimbursement.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume and three professional references.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.
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.

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 at This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: Email: