Attorney III

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 the state's behavioral health and developmental disabilities agency, providing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders through a wholistic, streamlined and coordinated approach. OIDD assists in the 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

• 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 key BHDD-OIDD staff on whether BHDD-OIDD directives and policies comply with State and Federal laws. Provides recommendations for updating BHDD-OIDD directives and polices based on State and Federal laws, LAC recommendations, and best practices.
• Process Freedom of Information Act requests as well as Records Requests for the agency.
• Review all reports at Regional Centers pertaining to Deaths, Critical Incidents, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation cases; and provide quality management  feedback of those reports. 
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes: 

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
• 15 days sick leave per year 
• 13 paid holidays 
• Paid Parental Leave 
• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for employee, spouse and children
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs
• Flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses 
• Adoption assistance 
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• No billable hours! 

A Juris Doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school; member of the SC Bar; and at least three (3) years' experience as a practicing attorney. Experience should include: SC Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, and/or Administrative Hearings.

A Juris Doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school; member of the SC Bar; and at least three (3) years' experience as a practicing attorney. Experience should include: SC Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts and/or Administrative Hearings. Knowledge of the laws of South Carolina. Knowledge of agency policies, standards, and procedures. Ability to Interpret and apply policies, laws, and judicial decisions. Ability to establish priorities. Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically. Some familiarity with Roberts Rules of Procedure. Knowledge and experience with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Workers' Compensation Act; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

About Our Agency: The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities plans, develops, coordinates, and funds 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. 
  
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 the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.
 

Employment Contingency: Employment is contingent upon our receipt of the following required pre-employment screenings: medical screening – to include a drug screening; background record checks (to include fingerprinting), South Carolina Department of Social Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry screening, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General “List of Excluded Individuals/Entities” screening; South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Driving Record check; and a review of transcripts verifying educational credentials. We reserve the right to rescind an offer of employment in the event minimum requirements are not met to include positions that require certifications and/or licensure, your application is incomplete or inaccurate, or our review of your background uncovers information, including opinions of previous employers and references, which cause us to conclude, at our sole discretion, that you are not suited for the position.  
 
Immunization: If this position requires the applicant to work directly with consumers of The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, tuberculosis (TB) skin or blood testing must be completed prior to beginning employment. All new employees who are healthcare providers are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, Varicella and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.
 
State Disaster Plan: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, employees of The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.
 
Employee Referral: The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities supports a Referral Incentive Reward and a Retention Bonus program.  You may contact Human Resource for further information.
 
Supplemental Questions: 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.