Childcare Associate Jobs in Ridgeland, MS (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $24,023.49 - $40,990.07 Annually
Location : 17 - DESOTO COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9776-0681-20260903DES
Department: 0681 - CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $24,023.49
Agency Maximum Salary: $40,990.07
About the Agency: The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services has a position available within the Eligibility Unit providing Administrative Support at the State Office. The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) is committed to protecting and nurturing Mississippi's at-risk children and families. MDCPS offers a variety of positions statewide, including social work positions providing case management services and working with potential foster families, supervisor positions providing clinical and administrative support, and agency support positions such as policy development, human resources, information technology, program management, training, and budgeting/finance. Working with MDCPS will give you the chance to make a life-changing difference for Mississippi's most vulnerable children and families. If you have any additional questions, you can contact Touya Harrington of Workforce Development at 601-301-8494 or touya.harrington@mdcps.ms.gov.
About the Position: In this position, the primary responsibility is to serve as a central point of contact for county office staff in providing necessary information to the State Office that is needed to make an IV-E & Medicaid eligibility determination for children in foster care. She/He is responsible for traveling throughout the week to the different counties within their assigned region. The specific duties include the following: Tracking children on the eligibility spreadsheet and working alongside social workers to update and/or correct information in the Child Welfare system. Making applications for Social Security cards and/or birth certificates for children in MDCPS custody. Submitting a copy of the document (s) to the State Office for federal & Medicaid eligibility purposes. Contacting the Social Security Administration to change the representative payee for any child in MDCPS custody that receives Social Security or SSI. Working alongside the social worker in making applications for disability benefits and/or survivor benefits for any child in MDCPS custody that is deemed disabled. Working alongside the social worker in making applications for Medicaid for any child in MDCPS custody that needs medical coverage. Inquiring with state office Eligibility staff on the status of medical coverage & obtaining Medicaid information for any child for upcoming doctor visits, pharmacy visits, etc. Assisting social workers with completing IV-E and Medicaid eligibility determination paperwork, which also includes obtaining income information from Economic Assistance, if available. Entering case narratives into the Child Welfare system that are pertinent to the removal of the child from the home. Reviewing court orders of children in MDCPS custody for accuracy and communicating with Court Administrators to make requests for corrections that are needed. Assisting social workers, social worker supervisors, and state office eligibility staff with any additional tasks as needed.
What you'll need to be Successful: Professional commitment to and care for clients and the larger profession of child welfare. Personal resilience and strong self-efficacy beliefs about the ability to work with clients to produce positive client outcomes. Efficient organizational and time management skills. Positive work morale. Ability to be flexible in thinking and problem solving. Realistic expectations about the difficulty and challenges of the work. Ability to handle an often-unpredictable work environment.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a High School Diploma or high school equivalency and 5+ years of experience.
Characteristics of Work
See for information regarding this classifications
Health/Prescription InsuranceEligible 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 LeaveFull-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
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?

• 8th grade
• GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
• 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
• 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• 9th grade
• 10th grade
• 11th grade

02
How many years of related experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)

• No experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• More than 10 years

Required Question