Mental Health Counselor-Corrections

Salary : $29.38 Hourly

Location : Rapid City, SD

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 01591

Department : Sheriff's Office

Division : Jail

Opening Date : 09 / 16 / 2025

Closing Date : 11 / 3 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Mountain

Position Description

The Pennington County Jail is seeking a full-time Mental Health Counselor to provide comprehensive mental health services to the adult inmate population. Our facility houses over 600 inmates on a daily basis and provides mental health services, resources and programs for inmates. Our focus is to provide counseling to inmates with immediate needs such as a major loss, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or severe mental health symptoms.

The Mental Health Counselor works as a part of the larger security team to provide suicide risk assessments, crisis counseling, assist with classification, involuntary holds and in coordinating other services. The Pennington County Sheriff's Offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.

Position Functions

• Provide inmate / detainee / client behavior management resources and recommendations for staff.
• Assess inmate / detainee / client mental health conditions as directed and identifying appropriate services.
• Assist with appropriate inmate / detainee / client classification.
• Identify early mental health risks.
• Identify risk behavior requiring the placement involuntary mental holds.
• Provide individual, group and crisis intervention counseling.
• Coordinate inmate / detainee / client services with medical staff and other in-house resources.
• Prepare and complete assessment reports and treatment plans.
• Conduct new employee training on suicide prevention and mental health basics.
• Attend meetings and completing trainings as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with all county policies and procedures.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.

Qualifications

Education and / or Experience Required :

Additional Information

Working Environment :

Physical Requirements :

Pennington County Benefit Summary

The following is a summary of benefits available to full-time and part-time benefited employees of Pennington County.

Heath Care Program

Health - Pennington County has a self-funded health care program for employees and their dependents. Health Insurance and Prescription Drug is covered through Wellmark (Blue Cross Blue Shield). Two plans are offered : a traditional PPO plan with co-pay structure and a high deductible plan with higher deductible / out-of-pocket maximums.

Dental - Dental coverage is provided through Delta Dental of South Dakota. 100% of usual and customary charges for preventive and diagnostic procedures are covered, after a $50 deductible per individual / $150 per family. Routine and restorative procedures, endodontics, periodontics, and major services are covered at 50%. There is an annual maximum of $1000 per individual. Orthodontics are not covered under this plan.

Prescription - The Health care program includes retail and mail order (90-day supply) prescription coverage, both requiring an affordable co-pay. Co-pays do not accumulate toward satisfaction of the deductible or co-insurance limit.

Note : Health care program coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following one complete month of employment. The program is available for employees and their dependents.

Life Insurance

Pennington County provides a $20,000 basic life insurance policy for every benefited employee. Optional supplemental life insurance can be purchased for employee, spouse, and dependent children.

Employee Assistance Program

Pennington County employees and family members may receive counseling services for issues relating to financial difficulties, marital and family distress, emotional problems, and alcohol or drug abuse. Generally speaking, as many as three visits annually are provided at no charge. Services are confidential.

Retirement Plan

Pennington County is a member of the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS). The employee contributes 6% (8% for public safety) of gross wages. The contribution is matched by the County. Upon separation from employment with Pennington County, individuals who are fully vested in SDRS (three years of contributory service) have the right to receive a monthly lifetime retirement benefit at retirement age.

Employees may choose to save additional funds toward retirement on a pre-tax basis through the SDRS supplemental retirement program. Other SDRS benefits include long term disability, family, and spouse benefits.

Supplemental Insurance

AFLAC offers various supplemental insurance policies for employees and family members. These policies are portable and guaranteed renewable. Premiums are deducted from payroll.

Paid Time Off

Vacation - Vacation time accrues per pay period at the rate of 3.077 hours for new employees with incremental increases based on years of service. Maximum hours of accumulation apply.

Sick Leave - Sick leave accrues at the rate of 3.077 hours per pay period. Employees may use up to 80 hours of available sick leave annually for other designated reasons. Sick leave separation benefits are available after 10 years of employment.

Holidays - Employees are eligible for up to 11 paid holidays per year.

All Paid Time Off benefits are prorated based on the number of hours worked or benefit time taken in a pay period for all benefited employees.

This summary is for general information only. Employees have access to complete and detailed policies, procedures, or summary plan descriptions for all benefits cited.

01

Do you have a valid drivers license? If yes, please list license number, state issued, and expiration date.

02

Have you used any form of federally illegal drugs in the past year? If yes, please explain below.

03

Do you currently hold a Masters Degree in Counseling or Psychology?

Required Question