Behavioral Health Specialist II

Salary: $43,509.31 - $74,237.76 Annually
Location : 61 - RANKIN COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9259-0374-20260819Rn
Department: 0374 - MH-MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $43,509.31
Agency Maximum Salary: $74,237.76
About the Agency: The mission of Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) is to help the individuals we serve achieve mental wellness by encouraging hope, promoting safety, and supporting recovery while utilizing resources effectively. Call Human Resources for more information at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
About the Position: Fourth-level professional work which involves providing psychotherapeutic interventions (individual, group, family therapy), developing intervention strategies, ensuring the implementation of the strategies, and initiating treatment plans. Under the direct supervision and oversight of an appropriately licensed or certified Behavioral Health professional, individuals in this classification also perform screening assessments of behavioral and emotional functioning, intelligence, achievement, and adaptive functioning. May servve in supervisory roles as based on organizational/facility guidelines, and may provide direct supervision to employees in less advanced classifications.This position in within Bldg. 87.
What you'll need to be Successful: Successful candidates must have a good attitude, be ready and willing to learn and grow, have strong attention to detail, strong communication skills, and excellent organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications: Requires Master's Degree in Psychology or a related field acceptable to the hiring agency, a minimum of 5-6 years of experience, and full licensure or certification (LPC, LMFT, LM/CSW, L/CMHT, L/CIDDT, L/CAT). Agency preferred qualifications:The ideal candidate will have experience working within correctional settings and providing services to individuals with a history of mental illness. This position requires the ability to deliver both individual and group interventions, including psychoeducational and therapeutic services tailored to a forensic population.


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 related 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 in Psychology or a related field acceptable to the hiring agency?

• 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

03


Do you possess full licensure or certification (LPC, LMFT, LM/CSW, L/CMHT, L/CIDDT, L/CAT)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question