Mde Jobs in Ridgeland, MS (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $47,425.15 - $71,208.87 Annually
Location : 25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9335-0201-20260603HDS
Department: 0201 - EDUCATION - CONSOLIDATED PROGRAM
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/25/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $47,425.15
Agency Maximum Salary: $71,208.87
About the Agency: The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) seeks to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens. To inquire about this position, please contact Vanessa Virgil-Ruffin at vvirgil-ruffin@mdek12.org.
About the Position: The Education Program Development Specialist III will serve on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Education's (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE), supporting local education agencies (LEAs) and schools in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality, instructionally aligned Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This position works closely with teachers, administrators, special education leaders, and related service providers to ensure IEPs are data-informed, legally compliant, and designed to deliver meaningful educational outcomes for students with disabilities.The IEP Specialist will support efforts to improve academic achievement for students with disabilities by promoting the effective use of accommodations and modifications and ensuring consistent, compliant implementation of IEPs across LEAs. The Specialist will also collaborate with MDE offices, LEAs, and statewide stakeholders to maintain alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Mississippi state requirements.- Primary responsibilities include:• Support and deliver statewide training initiatives focused on high-quality IEP development, specially designed instruction, accommodations and modifications, and implementation fidelity, and will assist in developing and disseminating guidance documents, tools, and instructional resources.• Provides technical assistance and guidance to LEAs, schools, and educators to strengthen measurable academic IEP goals, appropriate and effective use of accommodations and modifications, instructional practices aligned to IEP requirements, and progress monitoring and data-based decision-making.• Conduct education benefit reviews to ensure IEPs are reasonably calculated to enable student progress.• Collaborate with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders to identify areas of need and ensure appropriate levels of Technical Assistance (TA) are provided.• Collaborates across MDE offices to ensure alignment of policies and practices affecting IEP development and implementation.• Design and deliver professional development, training sessions, and coaching to build capacity in best practices.• Collect and analyze data to measure the effectiveness of TA strategies and make necessary adjustments.• Serve as a liaison between state agencies, school districts, and community partners to promote best practices in technical assistance delivery.• Assist as needed with compliance monitoring and implementation of federal and state regulations related to IEPs.• Develop and disseminate resources, toolkits, and guidance materials to improve outcomes for students.
What you'll need to be Successful: • Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. • Knowledge of IDEA and special education compliance requirements. • Knowledge of Mississippi and College and Career Readiness Standards and the Mississippi Alternate Academic Achievement Standards.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a relevant Bachelor's Degree and 3+ years of experience. - Agency Preferred Qualifications:Relevant Bachelor's Degree, a valid Special Education Mississippi Educator Professional License, and three (3) + years of experience.
Characteristics of Work
See for information regarding this classification.
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 in a field related to the job classification? Refer to job posting for an explanation of relevant education.

• None
• GED / High School
• 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

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 of experience

Required Question