Program Specialist II
Salary
$33,600.00 - $36,960.00 Annually
Location
36 - LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9061-0385-20260612LAF1
Department
0385 - MH-NORTH MS REGIONAL CENTER
Opening Date
06/15/2026
Closing Date
6/29/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$33,600.00
Agency Maximum Salary
$36,960.00
Preferred Qualifications
Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of experience.
About the Agency
The North Mississippi Regional Center in Oxford has provided comprehensive services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1973. The Center is licensed by the Mississippi Department of Health as an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IID) and is certified for Medicaid participation. The North Mississippi Regional Centers service area includes the northern 32 counties of Mississippi. The main campus is located in Oxford, where residential and active treatment services are provided by qualified staff from a variety of disciplines. Individuals are served through the Centers other ICF/IID community homes across north Mississippi. NMRC further assists over 1,000 people through other community services and supports. These services include Support Coordination for the ID/DD Waiver and Targeted Case Management for the Community Support Program. Additional NMRC Community Services are the Community Enrichment Programs (CEPS) and the Technology Assistive Device (TAD) Center. The NMRC Diagnostic Services Department is another NMRC community program that provides assessments and evaluations by qualified staff members in a clinical setting for determining eligibility for NMRC ICF/IID level of care, ID/DD Waiver or 1915i program. Dr. Larry Grantham served as the first Director of the North Mississippi Regional Center from 1972 until 1975. Dr. Randy Hendrix served from 1975 until October 1986, when he was appointed Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health - a post he held until his retirement in 2007. Dr. Carole Haney was the third Director of the facility, serving from 1986 until her retirement in June 2007, and Dr. Sandy Rogers served from 2007 until 2011. Dr. Edith M. Hayles was appointed as the current Director on October 1, 2011. The North Mississippi Regional Center is one of the programs operated by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, offering a continuum of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The current Executive Director of Mental Health is Ms. Wendy D. Bailey, and the Deputy Executive Director of State Operated Programs is Mr. Craig Kittrell. Contact Information: Jacova Jenkins, HR Manager; 662-513-7904
About the Position
This position is with North Mississippi Regional Center and is located in Lafayette County. The official MSPB classification title is Program Specialist II. The working title for this position is Program Specialist II. This is a second-level program management and support position responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and analyzing program activities, projects, assignments, and operational processes in support of an agency program or function. The incumbent will assist with program planning, evaluation, financial and management analysis, budgeting, report writing, operational review, and related administrative support activities. Duties may include identifying operational issues, researching program matters, preparing reports, recommending improvements, assisting with implementation of solutions, and supporting the effective operation of assigned program activities. The position requires strong written and verbal communication skills, organization, time management, analytical ability, and the ability to work under general supervision while supporting agency program goals.
What youll need to be Successful
To be successful in this position, the applicant should have strong knowledge of budgeting, research, and report writing. The successful candidate should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational and time management skills, and the ability to support multiple program assignments or projects. The successful candidate should demonstrate leadership capabilities, sound judgment, analytical ability, attention to detail, professionalism, and the ability to identify operational concerns and assist with practical solutions.
Characteristics of Work
This is second-level professional program management and support work involving the coordination, review, analysis, and support of agency program activities. The incumbent performs work related to program planning, evaluation, budgeting, research, reporting, financial and management analysis, operational auditing, and process improvement.
Work includes coordinating multiple assignments or projects, reviewing program operations, identifying concerns or areas for improvement, preparing reports and recommendations, and assisting with implementation of program or operational solutions.
Examples of Work
Examples of work include coordinating program assignments and projects; researching program-related issues; assisting with budgeting and financial analysis; preparing written reports, summaries, and recommendations; reviewing program operations and processes; identifying operational problems or areas for improvement; assisting with implementation of solutions; compiling and analyzing program data; preparing management or operational reports; communicating with supervisors, staff, program participants, stakeholders, and other agency personnel; supporting compliance with agency policies and procedures; maintaining records and documentation; and performing related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 1-3 years of experience.
Essential Functions
Essential functions include coordinating and supporting agency program activities; assisting with program planning, evaluation, budgeting, research, reporting, and operational analysis; preparing reports, correspondence, summaries, and recommendations; reviewing program processes and identifying operational concerns; assisting with implementation of program improvements; maintaining accurate records and documentation; communicating effectively with supervisors, staff, stakeholders, and agency personnel; managing multiple assignments and deadlines; applying agency policies and procedures; exercising sound judgment; and performing related program support duties as assigned.
Health/Prescription Insurance
Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406