Mental Health Practicioner

Job Description

Position Type:
Paraprofessionals/Mental Health Practitioner

Date Posted:
8/28/2026

Location:
Denfeld High School
(High-Needs School)

Closing Date:
09/04/2026

Mental Health Practitioner - Den Program
Denfeld High School
40 hours per week/38 weeks per year | Monday-Friday
Starting Pay: $26.44/hr, increases with experience + Benefits

Join the Duluth Public Schools team, where we work to inspire every student to achieve their potential and prepare students to lead productive, fulfilling lives.

Summary:
Duluth Public Schools is seeking an individual to assist the Den Coordinator to process student behaviors and support them in meeting their social, emotional, behavioral skill-based needs.
Assist mental health professionals and special education teachers with meeting the educational, emotional, behavioral and mental health needs of special education and nontraditional students. Assist in implementing the academic and treatment plan goals, as documented in the Individual Treatment Plan and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Continual Learning Plan (CLP) under supervision of mental health professional.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must meet the qualifications of a mental health practitioner.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have an associate degree and 6,000 hours of supervised experience in delivering clinical services in the treatment of mental illness for children and adolescents OR a bachelor's degree and 2,000 hours of supervised experience in delivering clinical services in the treatment of mental illness for children and adolescents.

Certification or Licensing Requirements:

• Meet pre-service and continuing education requirements as specified in MN Stat. 245.4871 and the rules of the Department of Human Services.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Understanding of de-escalation skills, behavior management strategies, and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS).
• Understanding of how to effectively intervene and problem-solve in crisis situations. Prefer NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) trained.
• Understanding of restorative practices, strategies, and approaches to behavior management.
• Understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds (racial, ability, socioeconomic, gender etc.)
• Understanding of mental health, emotional disabilities, trauma-informed practice, and evidenced based social, emotional, and behavioral interventions
• Basic academic knowledge to assist students with math, reading, science and other subject areas.
• CPR, first aid and allergies and allergic reactions.

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to effectively problem-solve in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Being a proactive and productive team player, able to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
• Ability to effectively and empathetically work with high-risk, special needs, non-traditional students, and emotionally dysregulated students.
• Ability to manage student behavior and emotional dysregulation by utilizing de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention skills as needed and as determined by program training and plan.
• Ability to remain calm and control personal emotions in volatile and evolving situations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including documenting the delivery of services
• Excellent interpersonal and personal care skills.
• Ability to use computers for instructional and data collection and data entry purposes.
• Ability to follow and implement the academic goals, as documented in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Continual Learning Plan (CLP) under supervision of mental health and education professionals.
• Ability to interpret and follow the student policy handbook as determined appropriate by the program team and behavior response staff.

In addition to rewarding career opportunities, Duluth Public Schools offers an excellent benefit package to employees who are hired into positions scheduled to work 24 hours/week or more. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

Medical/Prescription Drug Plan with Health Reimbursement Arrangement

• Single Coverage District pays 100% of premium (FREE) + contributes $2,612.50 into HRA annually
• Family Coverage District pays 75% of premium (25% employee contribution) + contributes $5,225.00 into HRA annually

Dental Plan

• Single Coverage District pays 100% of Basic premium (FREE)
• Family Coverage District pays 25% of Premium

Life Insurance

• District provides minimum of $50,000 of life insurance at no cost, employee may purchase supplemental life insurance

Long Term Disability

• District-provided at no cost to employee

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Employees may elect to contribute on a pre-tax basis to Health Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Accounts

Retirement

• The District contributes 7.25% of your total salary in the Public Employees Retirement Association) pension plan.
• Employees may also elect to participate in Tax-Shelter Annuity options.

Time Off

• Each bargaining unit contract defines time off provisions such as holidays, sick/personal leave, vacation, etc.

Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resource at 218-336-8722 or email noncerthr@isd709.org

Attachment(s):

• Mental Health Practitioner.pdf