Benefit Program Specialist I

Health and Prescription Insurance

Eligible employees may participate in the state’s health and prescription insurance program, choosing either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail is available at Know Your Benefits.

Wellness Benefits

Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program providing annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage and no deductible.

Life Insurance

All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. Coverage is two times the employee’s annual salary up to a maximum of $100,000. More detail is available at Life Insurance Choices.

Optional Insurances

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Cancer insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may participate in pre-tax spending accounts for childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing taxable income.

Paid Time Off

• Personal leave: approximately 18 days annually
• Sick leave: approximately 12 days annually
• Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as accrued

Military Leave

Employees serving in the armed forces or military reserves are entitled to 15 days of paid military training leave per year, in accordance with federal law.

Holidays

Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays annually.

Retirement Programs

The State of Mississippi provides a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees vest in the State’s retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both the employee and the agency contribute toward retirement. More information is available at http://www.pers.state.ms.us.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information is available at Deferred Compensation.

State Credit Union

All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees’ Credit Union, which offers special savings and borrowing plans. For more information, call 601.948.8191.

Tuition Reimbursement

Employees may receive tuition reimbursement for higher education, including programs in medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.

Career Development and Training

• Management and administrative certification programs
• Professional development courses
• Technical training offered by individual agencies
• Membership in professional organizations

Promotional Opportunities

Employees with at least 6 months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government, subject to meeting minimum qualifications.

Career Ladders

Many job classifications offer career-ladder opportunities based on attainment of competencies, which may increase salary if agency funds are available.