Behavioral Health Specialist II
Salary
$43,509.31 - $74,237.76 Annually
Location
61 - RANKIN COUNTY, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9259-0374-20260608RNK1
Department
0374 - MH-MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date
06/09/2026
Closing Date
6/18/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$43,509.31
Agency Maximum Salary
$74,237.76
About the Agency
The mission of Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) is to help the individuals we serve achieve mental wellness by encouraging hope, promoting safety, and supporting recovery while utilizing resources effectively. Call Human Resources for more information at 601-351-8020.
About the Position
This position is with Mississippi State Hospital and is located in Rankin County. The official MSPB classification title is Behavioral Health Specialist II. This position is assigned to Bldg. 87 and works day shift only. This is fourth-level professional behavioral health work involving the provision of psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, group, and family therapy. The incumbent develops intervention strategies, ensures implementation of treatment strategies, and initiates treatment plans under the direct supervision and oversight of an appropriately licensed or certified behavioral health professional. Duties may include screening assessments of behavioral and emotional functioning, intelligence, achievement, and adaptive functioning. The position may also serve in a supervisory role based on organizational or facility guidelines and may provide direct supervision to employees in less advanced classifications. The ideal candidate will have experience providing therapeutic services to children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral needs.
What youll need to be Successful
To be successful in this position, the applicant should have a positive attitude, willingness to learn and grow, strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, and excellent organizational skills. The successful candidate should also be able to provide therapeutic services in a structured behavioral health setting, maintain accurate documentation, work effectively with children and adolescents with severe emotional or behavioral needs, and collaborate with licensed or certified behavioral health professionals and interdisciplinary team members.
Preferred Qualifications
Requires a Master's Degree in Psychology or a related field acceptable to the hiring agency, a minimum of 5-6 years of experience, and full licensure or certification, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker/Certified Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW), Licensed/Certified Mental Health Therapist (L/CMHT), Licensed/Certified Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist (L/CIDDT), or Licensed/Certified Addictions Therapist (L/CAT), as applicable.
Characteristics of Work
This is advanced professional behavioral health work involving therapeutic intervention, treatment planning, assessment, documentation, and coordination of services for individuals receiving behavioral health care. The incumbent provides individual, group, or family therapy; develops and implements intervention strategies; assists with behavioral and emotional assessments; coordinates treatment activities with appropriate clinical staff; and may provide guidance or supervision to employees in less advanced classifications based on facility guidelines.
Examples of Work
Examples of work include providing individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions; developing and implementing treatment plans and intervention strategies; conducting or assisting with screening assessments of behavioral and emotional functioning, intelligence, achievement, and adaptive functioning; documenting treatment activities, progress, and clinical observations; coordinating care with licensed or certified behavioral health professionals and interdisciplinary team members; providing therapeutic services to children and adolescents with severe emotional or behavioral needs; preparing reports, records, and treatment documentation; participating in clinical staffing or treatment team meetings; providing guidance or supervision to less advanced behavioral health staff as assigned; and performing related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a Master's Degree in Psychology or a related field acceptable to the hiring agency, a minimum of 5-6 years of experience, and full licensure or certification, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Social Worker/Certified Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW), Licensed/Certified Mental Health Therapist (L/CMHT), Licensed/Certified Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist (L/CIDDT), or Licensed/Certified Addictions Therapist (L/CAT), as applicable.
Essential Functions
Essential functions include providing individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions; developing, implementing, and monitoring intervention strategies and treatment plans; conducting or assisting with behavioral, emotional, cognitive, achievement, and adaptive functioning assessments; documenting treatment services, clinical observations, patient progress, and related case information; coordinating services with licensed or certified behavioral health professionals, treatment teams, and agency staff; supporting therapeutic services for children and adolescents with severe emotional or behavioral needs; maintaining confidentiality and accurate records; participating in clinical meetings and treatment planning activities; providing guidance or supervision to less advanced staff as assigned; following applicable professional, agency, and facility standards; and performing related professional behavioral health duties as assigned.
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 http://www.pers.state.ms.us
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
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
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
How many years of related experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed in Psychology or a related field acceptable to the hiring agency?
03
Do you possess full licensure or certification (LPC, LMFT, LM/CSW, L/CMHT, L/CIDDT, L/CAT)?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406