Attorney III

About Our Agency

The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) was established April 28, 2025. The Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) is a part of BHDD, providing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders through a holistic, streamlined and coordinated approach. OIDD assists in planning, developing, coordinating, and funding services for South Carolinians with the severe, lifelong disabilities of intellectual disability and related disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and similar disability.

Job Responsibilities

This position functions as an Assistant General Counsel for BHDD, within the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD-OIDD).

• Provides legal advice and assistance to agency personnel on complex legal matters. Assists the General Counsel in preparing and issuing legal opinions to key BHDD-OIDD staff.
• Reviews employee grievance appeals and discrimination complaints. Represents BHDD-OIDD in employee mediations and in grievance appeals. Assists the Human Resources Department with personnel matters, investigations, and unemployment hearings.
• Represents BHDD-OIDD in Family Court and Probate Court in Judicial Admission proceedings. Prepares orders and other court documents related to court proceedings.
• Conducts legal research and advises BHDD-OIDD staff on whether directives and policies comply with State and Federal laws. Provides recommendations for updating directives and policies based on State and Federal laws, LAC recommendations, and best practices.
• Processes Freedom of Information Act requests as well as Records Requests for the agency.
• Reviews all reports at Regional Centers pertaining to Deaths, Critical Incidents, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation cases; provides quality management feedback of those reports.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

The department offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time employees, including :

Qualifications

EEO Statement : The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, age, religion, or disability.

Employment Contingency : Employment is contingent upon pre-employment screenings : medical screening including a drug screen; background checks (fingerprinting); Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry screening; OIG List of Excluded Individuals / Entities; driving record check; and verification of educational credentials. We reserve the right to rescind an offer if minimum requirements are not met or if the application is incomplete or inaccurate.

Immunization : If the position requires working with consumers, TB testing must be completed prior to beginning employment. New healthcare employees must provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, and hepatitis B prior to start.

State Disaster Plan : Employees may be required to work during emergencies or disasters as part of the State Disaster Plan.

Employee Referral : Referral incentives and retention bonuses may apply; contact Human Resources for details.

Supplemental Questions : Supplemental questions are part of the official application. Misrepresentation will result in disqualification. Please complete the State application with all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be reviewed to determine qualifications.

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