Working Title: Social Work Specialist or Social Work Specialist Senior
Job Class: Clinical Program Therapist 3 or Clinical Program Therapist 4
Agency: Direct Care and Treatment
Job ID : 90732
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 : 1/16/2026
Closing Date : 2/06/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Direct Care and Treatment / MAPE Forensics
Division/Unit : St Peter / Forensics Social Work
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range Clinical Program Therapist 3: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,723 / annually
Salary Range Clinical Program Therapist 4: $34.69 - $51.45 / hourly; $72,432 - $107,427 / 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.
This vacancy is being announced at both the Clinical Program Therapist 3 and Clinical Program Therapist 4 job classification levels. The classification level in which the position is filled will be determined based on the qualifications of the applicant who is selected for the position.
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 Clinical Program Therapist will provide professional mental health and social work services, including biopsychosocial assessment, liaison, treatment, transfer, and discharge services to individuals upon patient admission and throughout hospitalization. The Clinical Program Therapist participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning; provides clinical services and interventions; and provides leadership in departmental and organizational quality improvement processes.
Only applicable to Clinical Therapist 4: This position will also serve as a designee to the Social Work Director in defined processes (ex. Forensic Review Panel, presentations, committees, etc.), consistent with the mission for Direct Care and Treatment-Forensic Services (DCT-FS).
Duties Include:
Develop comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments, including identification of patient and family social service needs, cultural and spiritual needs, learning and communication preferences, and development of social work recommendations.
Document social service recommendations, services provided, and patient outcomes on an ongoing basis.
Assess patient and family need for information and/or education regarding social services, treatment, and continuum of care services.
Participate in competency assessment and enhancement processes as defined by Department policy and procedure.
Minimum Qualifications
To be qualified for and considered for this position, applicants must meet all the minimum qualifications listed below. Please ensure that your resume contains descriptions of your work experiences sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
Clinical Program Therapist 3
To qualify for a Clinical Program Therapist 3, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Bachelor's degree in social work; AND
Licensure by the State of Minnesota to practice as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW); AND
Three years of post-bachelor's degree experience providing clinical services.
OR
Master's degree in social work; AND
Licensure by the State of Minnesota to practice as a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW); Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW); OR Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW); AND
One year of post-master's degree experience providing clinical services, including individual and group therapy and interventions.
Clinical Program Therapist 4
To qualify for a Clinical Program Therapist 4, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Community Counseling, or a related field; AND
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT), Licensed Psychologist (LP) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC); AND
Have at least three (3) years of post-graduate degree experience providing clinical services.
OR
Doctorate degree (DSW); AND
Licensed or eligible for licensure by the State of Minnesota as an independent mental health professional (i.e. Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW))
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with patients with mental illness, sexual offense histories and criminal histories
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.
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 - The Department of Human Services 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 careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
