What are the responsibilities and job description for the Work Therapy Assistant position at Minnesota Department of Human Services?
Job Class: Work Therapy Assistant
Agency: Human Services Department
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.
Candidates may be eligible for a hiring bonus up to $2,500!!!
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our Forensic Services within the Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) division of agency.
The Forensics Services campus in St. Peter is comprised of the Forensic Mental Health Program and the Forensic Nursing Home. Forensics 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 Work Therapy Assistant position provides direct support to patients in learning vocational skills necessary for successful community integration. This position creates and implements work activity and industrial therapy programs designed to provide a realistic, therapeutic work experience and to teach appropriate work behaviors. It provides positive work habits, job skill development and develops employable work skills by providing supervision and training to patients in a variety of vocational jobs. This position individualizes vocational programming to fit the unique needs of the person. This is done in a manner that ensures a therapeutic learning environment is maintained for patients within a safe vocational setting at Forensic Treatment Services.
Minimum Qualifications
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 - The Department of Human Services 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.
How To Apply
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about this position, contact Jacob Cottew at jacob.r.cottew@state.mn.us or 507-985-2644.
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Susan Mwangi at susan.mwangi@state.mn.us.
About Human Services Dept
DHS operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
Your benefits may include:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants With Disabilities
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Agency: Human Services Department
- Job ID: 85257
- 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: 03/31/2025
- Closing Date: 04/07/2025
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / DHS St Peter AFSCME
- Division/Unit: St Peter / Forensics Vocational A
- Work Shift: Day Shift
- Work Hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: No
- Salary Range: $23.76 - $30.43 / hourly; $49,610 - $63,537 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 204 - Health Care Non Professional/AFSCME
- Work Area: Forensics Vocational A
- FLSA Status: Nonexempt
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
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.
Candidates may be eligible for a hiring bonus up to $2,500!!!
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking qualified and enthusiastic individuals to join our Forensic Services within the Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) division of agency.
The Forensics Services campus in St. Peter is comprised of the Forensic Mental Health Program and the Forensic Nursing Home. Forensics 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 Work Therapy Assistant position provides direct support to patients in learning vocational skills necessary for successful community integration. This position creates and implements work activity and industrial therapy programs designed to provide a realistic, therapeutic work experience and to teach appropriate work behaviors. It provides positive work habits, job skill development and develops employable work skills by providing supervision and training to patients in a variety of vocational jobs. This position individualizes vocational programming to fit the unique needs of the person. This is done in a manner that ensures a therapeutic learning environment is maintained for patients within a safe vocational setting at Forensic Treatment Services.
Minimum Qualifications
- Knowledge of adult vocational services work activity program sufficient to design work therapy tasks base on the patient’s abilities within a forensic healthcare setting.
- Minimum one year experience implementing training programs for forensic work therapy patients.
- Organizational skill sufficient to design work areas and develop project work processes.
- Knowledge of client groups sufficient to accommodate for special limitations in the work setting.
- Basic math skills sufficient to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
- Ability to operate hand and power tools along with workshop equipment sufficient to instruct others in their safe operation and adapt or modify tools to accommodate physical and/or mental limitations.
- Knowledge of adult behavior modification techniques sufficient to implement prescribed forensic programs.
- Ability to read, write and speak English.
- Valid driver’s License
- An understanding of manufacturing principles and procedures
- Experience working in a secure facility setting.
- Willingness to work with persons committed as Mentally Ill and Dangerous
- Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
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 - The Department of Human Services 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.
How To Apply
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact
If you have questions about this position, contact Jacob Cottew at jacob.r.cottew@state.mn.us or 507-985-2644.
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Susan Mwangi at susan.mwangi@state.mn.us.
About Human Services Dept
DHS operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.
Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
- Connection with their coworkers and communities
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.
Your benefits may include:
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Annual pay increases
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
- Diabetes care
- Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
- Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
- Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
- Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
- Training, classes, and professional development
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
- A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
- Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
- Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS
Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants With Disabilities
Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Salary : $49,610 - $63,537
