Salary: $79,600.00 - $115,000.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191531
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AG25
Position Number::
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN12

Job Responsibilities

Effective April 28, 2025, Governor McMaster signed a state law that established the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. This new cabinet agency comprises the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs), the Office of Mental Health (formerly the Department of Mental Health) and the Office of Substance Use Services (formerly the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services).

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the agency's senior advisor on employee relations and workplace conduct, partnering with executive leadership, legal counsel, and managers to mitigate risk and promote a fair, compliant, and respectful workplace culture.
• Ensure employee relations practices align with federal and state laws, statewide HR policies, and agency mission objectives.
• Lead the development and execution of agency-wide employee relations strategies, policies, and standardized practices. Approve employee relations case strategies and recommendations for disciplinary action.
• Ensure consistent and equitable application of disciplinary and corrective action procedures throughout the agency. Provide leadership in managing sensitive employee relations trends and systemic workplace concerns.
• Manage grievance response processes, dispute resolution, and settlement negotiations. Serve as agency representative in formal hearings, mediations, and appeals proceedings. Coordinate with SC Human Affairs Commission and general counsel as needed.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate employee relations staff. Ensure appropriate workload distribution and case tracking.
• Build standardized case management practices and documentation protocols across the agency with performance metrics such as grievance volume and outcomes, investigation timeliness, disciplinary consistency trends and appeal outcomes
• Identify employee relations risks and develop proactive strategies to reduce agency liability. Recommend corrective action plans based on employee relations case trends and findings.

*Occasional overtime may be required. Travel may be required to different facilities and/or hospitals throughout the state.
Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree and experience managing employee relations in 24-hour facilities and hospitals.

Additional Requirements

• Experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining employee relations policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Experience in ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws including: Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, USERRA, state human resources policies and grievance procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of human resources management.
• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures and of agency policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal laws and state regulations affecting human resources management.
• Knowledge of management and organizational concepts.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to analyze needs and resources and to recommend and communicate solutions effectively.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting a variety of policies and procedures.
• Ability to direct and advise technical staff members

Additional Comments
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

Please check the box(es) if you have you ever been employed by the the following Offices of 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 Developmental and Special Needs)
• Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) (formerly SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services )

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 bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university and experience managing employee relations in 24-hour facilities and hospitals?

• Yes
• No

04

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