Human Resource Development

Training Calendar • Events Calendar

MDRS Office of Human Resources

Director: Mary McDonald

Welcome to the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) Office of Human Resource Development (OHRD)!   We are pleased to have you visit our site!

The Office of Human Resource Development’s mission is to support our 1,100 plus employees in providing distinguished public service by offering a variety of support services.   We strive to assist our employees in their goals by encouraging them to become involved in their own human resource development through: on and off site training, seminars, and continuing education at several universities.

OHRD also provides comprehensive personnel management, payroll and public information services for MDRS. Please view our site to see the many benefits our agency has to offer!

Employment Information

MDRS is an equal opportunity employer. We are excited that you have chosen to explore employment opportunities with us. At MDRS, we offer a variety of career opportunities, which require varied levels of education and experience.

How to Apply

Most of MDRS’ jobs are filled from a list provided to us by the Mississippi State Personnel Board. The procedure for applying for a job in Mississippi State Government can be found by visiting the Mississippi State Personnel Board - web site.

Recruitment and Selection Information

Go to the Mississippi State Personnel Board - web site for the active recruitment vacancy list and job descriptions.

The minimum requirements for each state job description are noted on the job description. You must meet the requirements to have your application accepted. You will receive notification from the State Personnel Board on acknolwedge of receipt of application and whether you qualify for the position. 

MDRS reserves the right to extend preference to qualified existing employees in the interviewing and selection process. Our vacancies are closed as positions are filled on a daily basis.

MDRS Employee Benefits

The following is a brief overview of MDRS Employee Benefits. It is not exhaustive and employees should contact the Office of Human Resource Development for additional and specific information.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Employees are covered by a state funded employees’ health insurance plan. This is a network plan and certain restrictions apply. Coverage for dependents is available.

View or print a copy of the Health Insurance Plan application for coverage.

PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT PLAN: There is a co-payment prescription drug program separate from the medical benefits program. You will receive the required information and a prescription card in addition to your health insurance card when your application for health insurance has been processed through the appropriate channels.

LIFE INSURANCE: Employees are eligible to sign up for life insurance when hired. The State pays one-half (1/2) the cost and the employee pays one-half (1/2) the cost of the life insurance. Life Insurance coverage is calculated by the doubling of your annual salary, and rounding up to the next highest $1,000 with a minimum of $30,000 and a maximum of $100,000 coverage. Your cost for life insurance is $0.12 per thousand dollars of coverage. Life insurance coverage is for the employee only.

* For a new employee to the state, the employee’s portion is double deducted on the 1st pay check.

View or print a copy of the Life Insurance Enrollment/Change request form.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Employees may elect dental insurance coverage.

CAFETERIA PLAN: Employees of MDRS can participate in an IRS approved Cafeteria Plan. This plan allows employees to elect qualified benefits and exempt them from taxation prior to the calculation of their monthly taxable income. Unreimbursed Medical flexible spending accounts, Dependent Care flexible spending accounts, and certain insurance premiums qualify for the plan. New benefit elections and changes may occur only at the beginning of a new plan year.

OTHER INSURANCE: Other insurance policies (cancer, accident and disability, intensive care, vision care etc.) are available and can be obtained from our providers.

RETIREMENT: All persons who become employees in state service and whose wages are subject to payroll taxes and are lawfully reported on IRS Form W-2 are required to be members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) as a condition of employment. 9% of an employee’s monthly salary is contributed to PERS. In addition, the hiring agency contributes 14.26% of the employee’s monthly salary to PERS.

To be eligible to apply for a service retirement benefit, a PERS member must have eight (8) years of contributing membership service and be age 60-OR- any age if the member has 30 years of creditable service.

All forms pertaining to the public employee's retirement system can be viewed by going to the PERS forms library.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees may elect to participate in a supplement retirement savings plan for long term savings where income taxes are deferred. The Board of Trustees of PERS carefully chooses a broad range of investment opportunities from which employees may contribute, to help them reach their investment goals. For information regarding Deferred Compensation please contact the Mississippi Deferred Compensation administrator at 1-800-846-4551.

LEAVE: Employees accrue both personal and medical leave each month. The accrual rate is based on the number of years of state service. During the first 3 years of employment with the State, an employee earns 12 hours of personal leave and 8 hours of medical leave each month. Employees earn and accumulate leave upon completion of one month of continuous service. There is no limit to the accumulation of personal and/or medical leave.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive the following 10 paid holidays annually:

January 1st - New Year’s Day
The 3rd Monday of January - Robert E. Lee/ Martin Luther King, Jr.
The 3rd Monday of February - Washington’s Birthday
The last Monday of April - Confederate Memorial Day
The last Monday of May - National Memorial Day
July 4th - Independence Day
The 1st Monday of September - Labor Day
November 11th - Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day - Proclaimed by Governor
December 25th - Christmas Day

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: MDRS offers their employees and the employee’s family members, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP is designed to assist employees and their families in identifying and resolving personal concerns. The program is “self-referral” only.

CREDIT UNION: Credit Unions are non-profit financial organizations serving the savings and borrowing needs of members. MDRS employees may elect to join at any time.

DIRECT BANK DEPOSIT: Once an employee has accumulated a balance of 52 personal leave hours, he/she may have their paychecks deposited directly into their bank accounts through use of Direct Bank Deposit available through the Payroll Unit. The advantages of direct deposit include:

1. funds are available on pay day;
2. no special trip to the bank is necessary;
3. direct deposit puts funds to work earning interest more quickly for employees using interest-bearing accounts; and,
4. checks cannot be lost in the mail or stolen.