Public Health Program Specialist III

Benefits

• Health/Prescription Insurance: Eligible employees may participate in the state’s health and prescription insurance program, choosing single or family coverage with affordable co-payments.
• 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.
• Optional Insurances: Discounted premiums may be available for dental, vision, and cancer insurance through many agencies.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Employees may participate in pre-tax spending accounts for childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses.
• Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave: Full-time employees receive approximately 18 days of personal leave and 12 days of sick leave annually, accrued after one month of employment.
• Military Leave: Employees serving in the armed forces or military reserves are entitled to 15 days of 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, with contributions from both the employee and the agency.
• Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in a voluntary retirement savings plan through deferred compensation opportunities offered by state agencies.
• State Credit Union: All state employees are eligible to join the Mississippi Public Employees’ Credit Union, which offers special savings and borrowing plans.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Many state agencies provide tuition reimbursement for higher education, including programs in medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
• Career Development and Training: The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers management and administrative certification programs, professional development courses, technical training, and membership in professional organizations.
• Promotional Opportunities: Employees with at least 6 months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government, provided minimum qualifications are met.
• Career Ladders: Some job classifications offer career-ladder opportunities based on competency attainment, potentially increasing salary if agency funds are available.