Social Worker - Newton
Salary
$36,624.00 - $62,489.70 Annually
Location
51 - NEWTON COUNTY, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9798-0372-20260526NEW
Department
0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date
05/26/2026
Closing Date
6/1/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$36,624.00
Agency Maximum Salary
$62,489.70
About the Agency
East Mississippi State Hospital (EMSH) is a state-operated psychiatric hospital under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals across the region. EMSH operates multiple service lines, including inpatient psychiatric services, substance abuse treatment, and long-term care facilities, and is committed to delivering quality care while maintaining accountability, compliance, and stewardship of public resources.
About the Position
The Social Worker (Newton Community Living Services) is a third-level professional social services position responsible for providing advanced social work services to clients served within the Community Living Services Program on the Newton Campus at East Mississippi State Hospital. This role supports individuals living in group homes designed to help prepare them for greater independence and successful community transition. The incumbent provides social services and group therapy services, participates as a core member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team, contributes to individualized treatment planning, and coordinates referrals, benefits assistance, community resources, and discharge planning. The position also supports recovery-oriented services that help clients build daily living, social, and coping skills while promoting safe, effective, and quality treatment outcomes.
What youll need to be Successful
To be successful in this role, the Social Worker (Newton Community Living Services) must demonstrate sound clinical judgment, professionalism, and the ability to support clients in a structured, recovery-focused residential environment. Success requires strong communication and group facilitation skills to engage clients, support skill development, and promote progress toward greater independence and community living. The incumbent must work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, leadership, families, and community providers while appropriately advocating for client needs. Resourcefulness and follow-through are essential for care coordination, benefits assistance, referrals, and discharge planning. The position also requires strong organization and consistent documentation practices to ensure all notes, referrals, and required records are accurate, timely, and compliant with agency standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 3-5 years of experience. Appointing authority may require a social worker's license. - Agency Preferred Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) or a closely related behavioral health/human services field, and three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible social services experience are required. Current Mississippi social work credential/licensure (LSW/LMSW/LCSW) is required, in good standing, or the ability to obtain the required credential within a defined period as established by the appointing authority.
No available description
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 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 from an accredited four-year college or university?
03
Do you possess a valid social worker's license?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406