Mental Health Program Assistant

State of Minnesota; Wadena (MN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota is seeking a Mental Health Program Assistant in Wadena to support rehabilitation and residential services, working under the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Services team to help residents achieve treatment goals.

The role includes transportation duties, night hours (10:00pm–8:00am), and collaboration with clinicians. Eligibility requires a valid driver's license and state qualifications for Mental Health Rehabilitation Worker; a hiring incentive may apply.

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Meet the qualifications of the section 245I.04, subdivision 14, Mental Health Rehabilitation Worker

Responsibilities

• Assist residents with reintegration and placement into the community to promote independence.
• Participate in ongoing professional growth and development under supervision.
• Provide transportation to consumers using a state vehicle as assigned.

Skills

Driver's license

Job description

Working Title: Mental Health Program Assistant

Job Class: Mental Health Program Assistant

Agency: Direct Care and Treatment

• Job ID : 97324

• Location : Wadena

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 09/29/2026

• Closing Date : 10/05/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Direct Care and Treatment / DCT Willmar AFSCME

• Division/Unit : Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Services / MSHS Wadena Dir Care

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Night Shift / 10:00pm-8:00am

• Days of Work : Varies and every other weekend; may include holidays

• Travel Required : Yes; less than 5% for off-site meetings and to transport clients according to their treatment plans

• Salary Range: $24.54 - $31.43 / hourly; $51,239 - $65,625 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 204 - Health Care Non Professional/AFSCME

• Work Area : MSHS Wadena

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

***** This position may be eligible for a hiring incentive of up to $2,500**

Minnesota Specialty Health System (MSHS) Wadena provides rehabilitation and supportive residential services for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. The Mental Health Program Assistant will perform specific tasks to improve functional skills of residents in providing short-term safe, quality and supportive residential services to Serious and Persistent Mentally Ill consumers. This position will also participate as an active member of the treatment team under the direction of the mental health practitioner and clinical supervisor.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Utilize the Illness Management and Recovery model and person-centered approach to assist consumers with the provision of reintegration and placement into the community to promote independence, autonomy, personal responsibility, and personal control.

• Participate actively in on-going professional growth and development, maintain appropriate professional behavior and utilize professional supervision.

• Provide transportation to consumers to achieve the goals of the service plan and proper utilization of a state vehicle when assigned to a designated site.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must have all of the following:

• Candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

• Meet the qualifications of the section 245I.04, subdivision 14, Mental Health Rehabilitation Worker

Knowledge of:

• Behavior modification theory/techniques sufficient to implement behavior management components of treatment plans.

• Mental illness sufficient to design and implement individual treatment plans, identify and control aggressive/ violent/ inappropriate behavior.

• Therapeutic intervention techniques sufficient to control aggressive or violent behavior.

• Laws, rules, regulations and policies governing treatment of mental illness and vulnerable adults sufficient to protect the rights of clients/residents.

Ability to:

• Perform basic health care procedures, such as taking vital signs and administering medications.

• Observe, interpret and document client behaviors sufficient to provide information needed for evaluation and treatment planning.

• Read, write and speak English sufficient to interpret, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for mentally ill.

• Interact with clients sufficient to assist in the delivery of group therapy, teach specialized and vocational skills, and teach recreation and life skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Word and Excel

• Experience in an administrative or office support type role

• Health Information Management Systems experience with billing and/or filing

Additional Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.