Program Specialist III

Health and Prescription Insurance

Eligible employees may participate in the state’s health and prescription insurance program, selecting either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. Additional details are 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 a term life insurance policy upon employment, with coverage equal to 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 Leave

• Personal leave: Approximately 18 days annually for full-time employees, accrued after one month of employment and usable as accrued.
• Sick leave: Approximately 12 days annually for full-time employees, accrued after one month of employment and usable as accrued.
• Military leave: Up to 15 days per year for employees serving in the armed forces or military reserves, as required by 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, with contributions from both the employee and the employing agency. 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.

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 specific to agency fields
• 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

Certain job classifications offer career-ladder opportunities based on competency attainment, potentially increasing salary if agency funds are available.