Program Specialist II

Salary: $33,600.00 - $36,960.00 Annually
Location : 07 - CALHOUN COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9061-0385-20260610CN
Department: 0385 - MH-NORTH MS REGIONAL CENTER
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 6/24/2026 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 Center's 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 Center's 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; View phone number on click.appcast.io
About the Position: This is a time limited position (NS-14). Second-level Program Management and Support professional position accountable for directing and analyzing the processes and activities of an agency program. Employees are responsible for coordinating multiple projects and assignments in support of an agency program or operation, and program planning, evaluation, financial and management analysis, and operational auditing. Responsibilities may include identifying operational problems, making recommendations for improvement, and assisting in implementing solutions. Works under general supervision of a supervisor/manager.
What you'll need to be Successful: Strong knowledge of budgeting, Researching, Report writing, Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, Demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, good time management and organizational skills


No available description
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
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 View phone number on click.appcast.io.
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.)

• No experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• More than 10 years

02


What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?

• 8th grade
• GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
• 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
• 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• 9th grade
• 10th grade
• 11th grade

Required Question