Check and Connect Mentor

Job Description:

Check and Connect Mentor

Description

Position Type:
Paraprofessionals/Check & Connect Paraprofessional

Date Posted:
10/23/2025

Location:
Denfeld High School

Closing Date:
11/06/2025

Mental Health Practitioner - Check & Connect
Denfeld High School
40 hours per week/38 weeks per year
Starting Pay: $25.92-28.35/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 Assist administration, general education and special education teachers with meeting the educational, emotional, behavioral and skill-based needs of Check & Connect students.
Assist in implementing the academic and behavior plan goals, as documented in the 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:

• CPR, first aid, and NCI.
• Allergies and allergic reactions.
• Children and adolescents with mental health and emotional disabilities.
• Basic knowledge to assist students with math, reading, science and other subject areas.
• Check & Connect Intervention Model
• Community resources available for parents, students and teachers, such as CAIR, Lutheran Social Services, and Talent Search and referral processes.
• Various cultural backgrounds, communities of color, promoting diversity, racism - anti racist work, and using such techniques as advocacy and staff development
• Administrative intervention techniques
• Integration policies and terminology

Skill Requirements:

• Being a proactive and productive team player.
• Working with high-risk special needs and non-traditional students.
• Student behavior management and crisis intervention by implementing de-escalation techniques as determined by program training and mental health team.
• Ability to work with emotionally unstable students effectively.
• Ability to remain calm and control personal emotions in volatile situations.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including documenting the delivery of services in written progress reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and personal care skills.
• Using computers for instructional and data collection purposes.
• Handling safety issues according to the crisis plan developed by the mental health team.
• Ability to follow and implement the academic and treatment plan 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 program team.
• Ability to participate with the construction of therapeutic activities and interventions that will lead to goal attainment.
• Ability to co-facilitate mental health groups.

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 Resources at 218-336-8722 or email noncerthr@isd709.org

Attachment(s):

• Mental Health Practitioner.pdf

Salary:

USD 25.92 - 28.35 per hour