Mental Health Specialist II - Acute Behavioral Services Up to $3000 Bonus

Dungarvin•Cloquet, MN

About The Position

Dungarvin’s Acute Behavioral Services (ABS) group homes support individuals with complex mental health and behavioral needs, including people with histories of frequent crises, hospital stays, legal involvement, or unsuccessful placements. The homes provide a highly structured, safety-focused environment with consistent, person-centered support to help individuals work toward their goals. Staff receive training in behavioral support and crisis response, including manual restraints when necessary. The Mental Health Specialist II provides direct support to individuals with intensive behavioral and mental-health needs. The role supports safety, skill-building, positive engagement, daily living, and community participation while following individual plans and established protocols. The position also includes documentation, monitoring and communicating behavioral or health changes, collaborating with team members and external partners, and helping maintain a safe and structured home environment. The position offers a fixed starting rate of $24 per hour. Select locations may be eligible for a retention bonus of up to $3,000; the bonus is not available to current Dungarvin employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or a degree in a mental-health-related field.
At least 3 years of experience working with individuals with chronic and severe mental illness, unless qualifying through a degree in a mental-health-related field.
Must be at least 18 years old; some programs require employees to be at least 21.
Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
Basic computer skills and ability to use electronic documentation systems.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand and walk for extended periods, and safely manage physically demanding situations.
Ability to follow behavior support plans, treatment plans, functional assessments, and person-centered plans.
Ability to use crisis prevention, de-escalation, redirection, and manual restraints as trained.
Clear, professional verbal and written communication, including documentation.
Ability to work effectively in crisis situations and exercise sound judgment.
Strong problem-solving, consistency, time-management, collaboration, and independent prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

Provide direct, person-centered support to individuals with intensive behavioral and mental-health needs, focusing on safety, skill-building, and positive engagement.
Follow behavior support plans, treatment plans, crisis-prevention strategies, de-escalation techniques, and trained manual-restraint procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and structured living environment; assist with daily living skills, household tasks, activities, transportation, and community engagement.
Document services, behavioral observations, health concerns, and program activities in electronic systems, including T-logs, Therap, and health tracking systems.
Monitor behavioral changes and signs of escalation, and communicate proactively with supervisors and team members during crisis or safety situations.
Support family and personal contacts, assist with appointments and medication-administration tasks as allowed, and follow medical and nutrition plans.
Participate in team meetings, provide feedback about individuals’ needs, and assist with training new staff while modeling professional behavior.
Maintain home safety, follow emergency procedures, and comply with protocols and individual support plans.
Collaborate with team members and external partners, including case managers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.