Behavioral Health Specialist - Newton

Salary: $36,624.00 - $62,489.70 Annually
Location : 38 - LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9258-0372-20260608LAU
Department: 0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/12/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $36,624.00
Agency Maximum Salary: $62,489.70
About the Agency: East Mississippi State Hospital is a state-operated healthcare facility under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, providing comprehensive inpatient psychiatric, residential, substance use disorder, and long-term care services to individuals across the region. Through a multidisciplinary approach, EMSH serves a diverse population with an emphasis on safety, quality care, recovery-focused treatment, and person-centered support. In addition to its psychiatric services, EMSH operates specialized programs and nursing home services across multiple campuses, including Meridian, Newton, and Kemper, to meet a broad range of clinical and operational needs. EMSH is committed to delivering high-quality care while maintaining compliance with applicable state, federal, and accreditation standards.
About the Position: The Behavioral Health Specialist provides advanced behavioral health services and therapeutic support to clients served through East Mississippi State Hospital's Community Living Services program in Newton, Mississippi. Functioning within the Behavioral Health Specialist I classification, this position is responsible for assessing behavioral health needs, providing psychoeducation, individual supportive counseling, group therapy, behavior support services, and assistance with treatment planning in a structured community living environment. The Behavioral Health Specialist works under the direct supervision of an appropriately licensed or certified behavioral health professional and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to support client stability, emotional functioning, recovery, and successful community living outcomes. This position may also assist with the administration of screening and assessment activities, documentation of clinical progress, treatment team coordination, family conferences, and guidance of lower-level staff, as assigned.
What you'll need to be Successful: To be successful in this position, the employee must demonstrate sound clinical judgment, professionalism, and the ability to provide effective behavioral health services in a structured community living environment. The employee should be able to assess client needs, support treatment planning, maintain accurate clinical documentation, communicate effectively with clients and the interdisciplinary team, and respond appropriately to behavioral health concerns and patient safety issues. Success in this role also requires strong ethical standards, emotional maturity, dependability, and commitment to confidentiality, compliance, and recovery-focused client care.
Preferred Qualifications: Requires a Master's Degree in Psychology or a related field of study acceptable to the hiring agency and may require full licensure or certification (LPC, LMFT, LM/CSW, L/CMHT, L/CIDDT, L/CAT). - Hiring Agency Qualifications: Must maintain any required professional licensure, certification, training, or continuing education applicable to the position. Preferred: Experience in behavioral health, community living services, counseling, psychoeducation, group facilitation, treatment planning, psychological assessment support, and interdisciplinary team collaboration is preferred.


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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

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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


What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed in Psychology or a related field of study acceptable to the hiring agency?

• None
• 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

02


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

• Yes
• No

Required Question