Job Opportunities

Central Office

Job opportunities at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health Central Office in Jackson, MS will be posted below when they are available. For job openings at DMH-operated mental health or IDD programs around the state, please visit those programs’ web sites through the link below or visit the Mississippi State Personnel Board at www.mspb.ms.gov.

Director of Outreach and Training (State Service)

Under the direction of the Chief of Staff, the Director of Outreach and Training is responsible for leading statewide efforts to promote mental health and wellness, reduce stigma, and increase awareness of available services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative oversight, supervision, and support to the Division of Outreach and Training. • Supervise Director of Suicide Prevention, StandUp Outreach Coordinator, Mental Health First Aid Coordinator, and Public Safety Mental Health First Aid Coordinators. • Lead the development and implementation of statewide outreach campaigns to • promote mental health awareness, substance use disorder, IDD services and support, and access to services. • Oversee campaign strategies, messaging, and materials. • Partner with stakeholders and community organizations to expand and create new initiatives. • Oversee the planning and evaluation of current outreach campaigns, including StandUp Mississippi, Mississippi Communities United for Prevention, and Shatter the Silence ensure these initiatives remain effective, visible, and responsible by continually adapting campaign strategies, messages, and activities to meet the evolving needs of Mississippians • Conduct trainings as needed to support outreach and education efforts. • Obtain and maintain certification as an instructor in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) if not already certified, ensuring the ability to deliver evidence-based trainings statewide. • Serve as the state’s lead on the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families. • Coordinate and track all education and awareness training activities. • Oversee statewide coordination of Mental Health First Aid training. • Foster partnerships with state agencies and organizations to strengthen outreach • efforts. • Represent the Department of Mental Health with state officials, other state agencies, institutions, and the general public on issues related to outreach, training, and public awareness. • Coordinate and track training required for commissioners of Community Mental Health Centers. • Maintain and update digital resources by overseeing the content of the Mental Health Mississippi website, StandUp Mississippi site, mobile applications, and other outreach platforms. Ensure messaging is accurate, current, and aligned with campaign goals while actively promoting these resources to increase public awareness and engagement. • Research, write, and manage applicable grants to support outreach and training initiatives. • Oversee compliance, reporting, and performance measures for awarded grants, ensuring alignment with agency goals and sustainability of outreach efforts and training programs.

Deadline to apply: 10/3/2025

Program Specialist III (Time Limited)

This is a time limited position. The Supported Employment Specialist at the MS Department of Mental Health is a time-limited position in the Bureau of Behavioral Health, Division of Adult Services. The incumbent’s role is to ensure high-quality implementation of the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Responsibilities include conducting fidelity reviews and site visit audits, reviewing records, interviewing staff and participants, preparing reports, and monitoring program quality. The specialist also provides technical assistance by responding to provider questions, offering training and coaching, and sharing best practices. The ideal candidate must possess experience in behavioral health services, with a strong understanding of evidence-based practices and procedures. A master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field is preferred. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and the capacity to review data, synthesize findings, and prepare professional reports. Skills in training, coaching, and collaboration are essential, as is a commitment to recovery-oriented practice that supports individuals with serious mental illness in achieving employment and education goals.

Deadline to apply: 10/3/2025

Program Specialist III (State Service)

This position is available in the MS Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Reviewing programs and services certified by DMH through on-site reviews for compliance to DMH Operational Standards and other official regulations. • Responsible for being Team Lead occasionally on certification site reviews. • Writing reports containing findings during on-site reviews. • Presenting findings from on-site reviews in group meetings. • Reviewing DMH certified provider’s policies and procedures, service records, personnel records, and plans of compliance to ensure compliance to DMH Operational Standards and other official regulations. • Providing internal and/or external training/presentations, as needed including provider technical assistance coordination. • Processing requests from DMH certified providers to DMH programmatic area(s), as well as those seeking certification • Processing applications for new services and programs to ensure they meet DMH Operational Standards • Answering questions about provider certification and providing internal/external customer service in this area • Collaborating with other DMH staff as needed • Establishing rapport with employees from DMH certified providers as well as those seeking certification • Interacting with people receiving services who may have intellectual and developmental disabilities • Frequent data input of provider information which includes verification of service(s)/locations, amendments, and certifications • Frequent travel required throughout the state with overnight stays on occasion which will consume approximately 40 – 50% of the work month • Other duties as assigned