Program Specialist I

State of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Mississippi is seeking a Program Specialist I to support the North Mississippi Regional Center in Oxford. This non-state service, time-limited position reports to a supervisor and focuses on planning and implementing an agency program, with close supervision.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 0-2 years of experience; duties include organizing daily work, assisting with paperwork and problem solving, and advising staff on program guidance.

Qualifications

• Assist in planning and implementing a program under supervision.
• Organize processes to deliver program services and suggest improvements.
• Interpret guidelines to resolve problems and advise staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing a program under supervision.
• Organize processes to deliver program services and suggest improvements.
• Interpret guidelines to resolve problems and advise staff.

Skills

Planning

Problem solving

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Program Specialist I in 36 - LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MS

State of Mississippi

$28,542.30 - $31,396.53 Annually

Location

36 - LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MS

Full-Time

Job Number

9060-0385-20261112LAFA

0385 - MH-NORTH MS REGIONAL CENTER

Opening Date

11/12/2026

12/3/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Agency Minimum Salary

$28,542.30

$31,396.53

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and 0-2 years of experience.

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; 662-513-7904

About the Position

*This is a non-state service, time-limited position. * First-level Program Management and Support professional position accountable for assisting a supervisor/manager or higher-level professional in planning and implementing an agency program. Employees assist in organizing work processes to ensure the delivery of program services and making recommendations for changes or improvements, or performing administrative research, analysis, and evaluation in support of an agency program. At this level, employees interpret program guidelines to resolve problems, answer questions, and advise others on specific program issues or matters. Works under close supervision of a supervisor/manager.

What you'll need to be Successful

The ability to plan and assist supervisors with daily paperwork, daily activities within the unit and the ability to solve problems.

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201