Law Enforcement Officer II/ SERGEANT (BHDD Columbia)

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

15 days annual vacation leave

15 days sick leave per year

13 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Retirement plan (SCRS/State ORP)

Job summary

State of South Carolina is seeking a Sergeant for the BHDD-OMH Public Safety Division in Columbia, SC. The role involves supervising officers, coordinating transports, and ensuring compliance with policies while protecting patients, staff, and visitors.

Responsibilities include reviewing incident reports, assisting with investigations, and coordinating training and re-certifications. A high school diploma is required, with a bachelor’s degree able to substitute for certain experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for the required law enforcement experience.
• Experience performing patrol or investigative duties in public law enforcement.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and assist the Lieutenant in enforcing state laws, rules and regulations for BHDD-OMH.
• Supervise shift personnel, prepare shift schedules, and coordinate transportation of clients.
• Review reports on patient abuse, misconduct, property issues, and incidents; prepare detailed reports and diagrams.
• Ensure compliance with CALEA standards within respective sections.
• Conduct periodic inspections and supervise training, weapon qualification, and certifications.
• Evaluate subordinates' performance and participate in FTO programs; maintain high-level communication with facility administrators.

Skills

Supervision

Policy enforcement

Report writing

Interviews & investigations

Communication

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree substitution allowed

Job description

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a SERGEANTwho is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

These positions are located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) - Office of Mental Health (OMH), Public Safety Division, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia SC 29203. These positions will be in a hospital setting at Williams S. Hall, Transport and G.W. Bryan Psychiatric Hospital.

Responsibilities for the Law Enforcement Officer II - SERGEANT:

• Plan, organize, and assist the Lieutenant in enforcing state laws, rules and regulations, policies/procedures for BHDD-OMH. Responsible for supervising the shift personnel, prepare shift schedules, assist in plan and arrange transportation of clients throughout the city and state. Monitor overtime hours and analyze reports and logs submitted by subordinates. Construct all transports within policy. Ensure that all contractual agreements are met within our responsible area including completing all supporting documentation.
• Review officer's reports on patient abuse, employee misconduct, missing or stolen property, complaints of visitors, deaths, suicidal attempts, and altercations where patients, staff or visitors are injured. Interview suspects, victims and witnesses, to establish information that maybe used during the investigation or administrative proceedings. Prepare detailed reports to include diagrams/photographs, to enhance probability of making the case.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable CALEA standards within your respective sections.
• All incident reports will be thoroughly reviewed by the appropriate supervisor.
• Conduct periodic inspections of section facilities and Public Safety personnel, ensuring that officers receive their annual and or remedial training, weapon qualification, being mindful of suspicious and unusual individuals entering OMH's grounds. Coordinate through manager any required re-certification through Criminal Justice Academy, power OMS and or path lore. Attend job related courses.
• Evaluate subordinates' performance (EPMS) to ensuring they are completed within policy. Participate in FTO program as directed by management. Maintain an effective communication at the highest level with your facility Administrators and Public Safety management.
• Coordinate and supervise Public Safety officers in maintaining surveillance of the BHDD-OMH properties, by routine checking doors, windows, fences and conducting routine searches of patients, employees and visitors within policy.
• Supervise Officers in enforcing all violations of criminal offense, exercising arrest powers as needed. Conduct search of patients, employees, visitors and vehicles pursuant to policy.

• A high school diploma and experience performing patrol or investigative duties with a public law enforcement agency. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required law enforcement experience.
• Must have Class I certification through SC Criminal Justice Academy in accordance with statue 23-23-40 of code of laws SC 1976.
• Two (2) years of experience in law enforcement

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employee must have:

• Knowledge of state laws, agency regulations and facilities rules and requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain a satisfactory professional relationship with staff, patients and visitors, entering these grounds.
• Ability to adjust to fluctuating situations, disturbances, while enforcing rules/regulations.
• Ability to work fluctuating hours.
• Have considerable knowledge of State Laws, rules, and regulations of the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
• Must complete MANDT/and or MAPS

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

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 here 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 (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices*
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*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.