Compensation Specialist

Salary: $40,286.40 - $54,990.94 Annually
Location : 38 - LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9456-0372-20260805LL
Department: 0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $40,286.40
Agency Maximum Salary: $54,990.94
About the Agency: East Mississippi State Hospital (EMSH) in Meridian, Mississippi, is a state-operated psychiatric facility that also operates two nursing homes and provides behavioral health services across additional locations in Newton and Kemper Counties. As part of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, EMSH is committed to high-quality, recovery-focused care and fostering a professional, supportive work environment for staff and the individuals we serve.
About the Position: The Compensation Specialist provides advanced-level technical and analytical support for EMSH's Compensation and Classification functions. This position processes salary actions, evaluates job descriptions, assists with classification submissions, maintains position control, and ensures all compensation transactions are completed accurately and in compliance with MSPB rules, EMSH policy, and state regulations. The Compensation Specialist plays a key role in supporting the Compensation Manager with salary analysis, workforce planning data, and organizational structure updates, ensuring consistent and efficient compensation operations across the agency.
What you'll need to be Successful: To be successful in this position, the Compensation Specialist must be detail-oriented, analytical, and able to apply MSPB rules and EMSH policies accurately. The individual should manage multiple tasks efficiently, communicate clearly with supervisors and HR staff, and maintain strict confidentiality. Strong organization, sound judgment, and consistent follow-through are essential to supporting accurate and compliant compensation operations.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience. Hiring agency preferred qualifications: Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree. Compensation and Classification related experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Power Point, Access). Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to analyze data and prepare clear documentation.


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

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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