Occup Therapist Senior

State of Minnesota; Saint Peter (MN); On-site; USD 74,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Minnesota’s Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) Forensics division is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join our Forensic Services team in St. Peter.

You will evaluate and treat individuals with mental illness in a secure setting, developing structured activity programs to support recovery. This is a day shift, full‑time, exempt role with responsibilities for assessment, treatment planning, and progress documentation.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice occupational therapy in Minnesota or eligible to obtain Minnesota licensure prior to appointment.
• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy required for Senior; 18+ months post-licensure experience.
• Master's degree in Occupational Therapy required for alternative track; 6+ months post-licensure experience.
• Doctorate in Occupational Therapy acceptable as an alternative qualification.

Responsibilities

• Assess physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functions; identify dysfunction; involve patient in structured activities to overcome disability.
• Develop and implement treatment plans; document patient progress toward goals.
• Provide occupational therapy services within a safe, secure treatment environment for individuals with mental illness.

Skills

OT licensure

Post-licensure experience

Trauma-informed care

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

Master's degree in Occupational Therapy

Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

• Job ID : 96929




• Location : St. Peter




• Telework Eligible : No




• Full/Part Time : Full-Time




• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited




• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers




• Date Posted : 09/10/2026




• Closing Date : 09/21/2026




• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Direct Care and Treatment / MAPE Forensics




• Division/Unit : Forensics / Forensics Rehab Services




• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift




• Days of Work : Monday - Friday




• Travel Required : No




• Salary Range: $35.30 - $52.35 / hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 / annually




• Classified Status : Classified




• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE




• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional




• 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.

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is seeking qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our Forensic Services division of the agency.

Forensic Services provides mental health evaluation and treatment services to individuals diagnosed with a mental illness who present a risk to public safety. This is a safe and secure treatment environment. The team has an opportunity for you to join us as an Occupational Therapist. We seek applicants with a positive attitude and strong work ethic, who are ready to share our dedication to the people we serve.

Job duties include:

• Assess the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functions of the individual, identify areas of dysfunction and involve the individual in the structured program of activity to overcome disability.




• Intervention areas include but are not limited to activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, sensory-motor skills, psychosocial skills, cognitive skills, and physical disabilities.




• Develop and implement treatment plans, as well as documenting patient progress toward treatment goals.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must be licensed to practice occupational therapy in the state of Minnesota; OR be currently licensed to practice occupational therapy in another state and must obtain licensure in Minnesota prior to appointment.

In addition, you must satisfy the following combinations of education and experience:

Occupational Therapist Senior:

• Have a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program; AND




• At least 18 months of professional, post-licensure occupational therapy experience

OR

• Have Master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program; AND




• At least 6 months of professional, post-licensure occupational therapy experience

OR

• Have a Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with individuals with mental illness or behavioral health conditions




• Training and knowledge of trauma informed care principles

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.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at time of interview OR copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.

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.