Health Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $36,624.00 - $56,640.66 Annually
Location : 53 - OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9596-0301-20260819
Department: 0301 - HEALTH BOARD
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $36,624.00
Agency Maximum Salary: $56,640.66
About the Agency: The Mississippi State Department of Health's mission is to protect and advance the health, well-being, and safety of everyone in Mississippi. Questions about this position can be directed to recruitment@msdh.ms.gov.
About the Position: This is a time limited position. This position is the highest level of breastfeeding support available through our WIC Breastfeeding Program. This person will have the qualifications required of a Peer Counselor I & Il, in addition to special training to assist with complex breastfeeding problems. Each WIC Agency is required to have access to a "Designated Breastfeeding Expert" to help clients with complex breastfeeding situations. In this particular staffing situation, this DBE will perform the duties of the PC I & Il, contact prenatal and breastfeeding moms, teach breastfeeding classes, complete and submit required reports from the Breastfeeding Program Guidelines, and complete other duties as assigned there.
What you'll need to be Successful: This person will need critical thinking and problem-solving skills, compassion and desire in helping mothers in their breastfeeding journey, adaptability in working alongside coworkers within the agency. creativity in working with mother/baby dyads with various issues, respect for participant's privacy, and confidentiality, and respect for a participant's culture when it is different than our own.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree and 4+ years of experience. Agency preferred qualifications:This position requires the certification of International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or the Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) certification. This position requires at least one-year previous experience in counseling breastfeeding mother/baby dyads. This position requires FNS completion of competency-based training for WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum, levels 1-4 (this is given as part of training after they're hired). This position also requires the completion of a minimum of 8 college courses from an Accredited Institution in the Health Sciences (a list of courses is listed in the Breastfeeding Program Guidelines).
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
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

02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed from an accredited four-year college or university?

• None
• GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
• 1 year / 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 2 yrs / 60 semester hours
• 3 years / 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Required Question