Social Services Specialist

Social Services Specialist (Licensure)

Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) — a state agency committed to protecting at‑risk children and families across Mississippi.

MDCPS offers a variety of positions statewide, including social work, supervisory, and agency support roles such as policy development, human resources, IT, program management, training, and budgeting/finance.

Social Services Specialist – roles at this level work under higher‑level supervision to create and maintain service plans for cases, perform assessments, coordinate services, deliver direct services with community partners, and document all relevant activities, actions, and contacts.

• Create and maintain service plans throughout a case’s duration.
• Perform assessments and coordinate services with community partners.
• Deliver direct services where applicable.
• Document all relevant activities, actions taken, and contacts involved with each case.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 0–2 years of experience.
• Possibility of requiring a social worker’s license, depending on appointing authority.
• Professional commitment to child welfare and clients.
• Strong resilience, self‑efficacy, organizational and time‑management skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Positive work morale and flexibility in thinking and problem solving.
• Realistic expectations of the challenges of the work and ability to handle an unpredictable environment.

Health/Prescription Insurance: Eligibility for state health and prescription insurance program. Employees can select single or family coverage with affordable co‑payments.

Wellness Benefits: Wellness and health promotion program with annual benefits for certain services with first‑dollar coverage and no deductible.

Life Insurance: Term life insurance coverage of two times the employee’s salary up to $100,000.

Optional Insurances: Discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre‑tax spending accounts for childcare and unreimbursed medical expenses.

Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave: Full‑time employees receive paid personal and sick leave. Accrual begins after one month; approx. 18 days of personal leave and 12 days of sick leave annually.

Military Leave: 15 days per year for military training for eligible employees in the armed forces or reserves.

Holidays: Up to 10 paid holidays per year.

Retirement Programs: Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution retirement program. Vesting after 8 years.

Deferred Compensation: Voluntary retirement savings plan.

State Credit Union: Eligibility to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees’ Credit Union with special savings and borrowing plans.

Tuition Reimbursement: Opportunities for higher education tuition reimbursement in various fields.

Career Development Training: Management and administrative certification programs and professional development courses.

Promotional Opportunities: Eligible after 6 or more months of service within state government employment.

Career Ladders: Salary increases based on competencies when funds are available.

Entry level

Full‑time

Social Services

Location:

Lee County, MS