Mental Health Practitioner at Ramsey County – Saint Paul, Minnesota

To provide clinical assessment, diagnostic, crisis intervention and treatment services to clients and families; to participate with other mental health care professionals in the development, implementation and evaluation of client treatment plans; to provide training and guidance to other mental health care providers in the psychosocial aspects of client mental health care; and to perform related duties as assigned. (This is the entry-level class in the Mental Health Professional series. It differs from Mental Health Professional in that the work is performed under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional. Work assignments provide the opportunity to refine the knowledges and skills developed through education and prior experience in order to function effectively at the full performance level, and to satisfy the experience requirement to be eligible to become a Licensed Mental Health Professional)

Ramsey County Social Services is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Practitioner to join our team, providing in-person services at the Adult Detention Center. This position offers a unique opportunity to deliver a broad range of mental health services to incarcerated individuals, many of whom face significant mental and chemical health challenges. Working Wednesday through Saturday in 10-hour shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., the Practitioner will conduct suicide risk assessments, crisis interventions, diagnostic and needs assessments, and provide short-term therapeutic support. Duties also include facilitating psychoeducational and process groups, completing clinical documentation and legal paperwork (including Emergency Transport Holds and commitment petitions), collaborating with detention and medical staff, coordinating care with community providers and court partners, and delivering mental health training to facility staff. As part of an interdisciplinary team, the Practitioner will contribute to treatment planning, participate in court-ordered evaluations, and may provide expert testimony when needed. The role requires flexibility, as it may involve crisis response during evenings and weekends, and proficiency in electronic documentation. This is an entry-level position within the Mental Health Professional series, offering a valuable opportunity for candidates to refine clinical skills under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional and gain the experience necessary to advance to full licensure.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list of job descriptions.

1. Conduct intake interviews with seriously and persistently mentally ill clients or their families; confer with other mental health professionals in order to assess client needs and to make appropriate referrals.
2. As a member of the crisis outreach team, provide crisis intervention, assess dangerousness of client to self or others in a crisis situation, coordinate with police and other community service providers, recommend transportation holds and authorize placement into crisis facilities.
3. Provide direct individual, group, couple and family psychotherapy along with other therapeutic techniques in order to provide the most appropriate and effective treatment response for clients, based on diagnosis and treatment plan.
4. Develop and conduct short and long term mental health group therapy for specific populations in order to assist clients in coping more successfully with mental health problems and to reduce symptomology.
5. Assist in the preparation of court ordered clinical evaluations of families and individuals in order to assist the courts in case disposition. May testify in legal proceedings in the capacity of expert witness if so designated by the court.
6. Document case activities by charting care activities, maintaining statistics and corresponding through memorandum and letter to other service providers.
7. Comply with state regulations by participating on an interdisciplinary team in order to evaluate the quality of mental health staff performance.
8. Provide input into the development of needed services by serving on planning teams or various community groups.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, Counseling, or other field that qualifies for designation as a Licensed Mental Health Professional under State law.

Experience: None.

Substitution: Bachelor's Degree in a behavioral science or related field and completion of a practicum or internship that requires direct interaction with adults or children served and is focused on behavioral sciences or related fields.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:
• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Mental Health Practitioner will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” Do not cut and paste resume as a response. Please answer all of the supplemental questions clearly and completely, failure to do so may affect your ability to move forward in the hiring process.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who have submitted a completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Mental Health Practitioner. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Applicants will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

In addition, you may be subject to one or more of the following:

• Psychotherapist Check

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.


Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Nirvana.Wallace@co.ramsey.mn.us