Program Assistant Jobs in California
Program assistant jobs in California concentrate in education, healthcare, and nonprofit and government administration, with steady demand from entry level through senior coordinator roles. Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco are the largest hiring markets, home to anchor institutions like the University of California system, Kaiser Permanente, and the California Department of Social Services. The most active specialties in California are case management support, public health program coordination, and academic department administration. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 201+ Program Assistant jobs
Overall Scope of Responsibilities: Under close supervision, the TAY Programs Assistant II supports program managers and counseling staff in ensuring the provision of quality and cost-effective services. Responsibilities include data entry, administrative, and clerical duties with a commitment to client dignity and respect. This position is scheduled to work 32 hours per week (Monday through Thursday).
Required Job Standards:
- Presence & Participation
- Flexibility & Responsiveness
- Accuracy & Time Management
- Cultural Literacy
Administrative Duties:
- Office Systems
- Data Input/Documentation
- Customer Service
- General Administration
Additional Duties:
- Create client files and program binders
- Purchase, log, and dispense bus passes
- Data entry of billing and program statistics
- Petty cash, purchase orders, and deposit reconciliation
- Fax, scan, and copy documents
- Typing documents, spreadsheets, meeting notes, Power Point presentations
- Assist with event planning and outreach
- Monitor and order office supply stock
- Order, distribute, and track gift cards and receipts
- Perform work-related errands
- Distribute and collect data for CalYouth survey
- Maintain front desk entry procedures for the resource center
- Provide reception to clients, community partners, and donors
Physical Requirements:
- Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling
- Ability to lift or exert a force of up to 20 pounds
- Repetitive use of computer keyboard, mouse, and extended time viewing a monitor
Driving Requirements: Occasionally driving agency vehicle without clients
Bilingual Stipend: Basic Verbal Proficiency in English/Spanish preferred
Wages & Benefits:
We prioritize the well-being of our team as much as the community we serve. Our comprehensive health benefits reflect this commitment. We offer full-time employees medical and dental insurance plan that ensures peace of mind for themselves and their families. We go beyond traditional care by also offering our employees acupuncture and chiropractic, embracing a holistic approach to health that aligns with our values of care and compassion.
Our team’s future matters just as much as the present. That’s why we offer a 403(b) retirement plan, providing a foundation for a secure retirement. We also recognize the need for work-life balance, so Encompass offers a competitive package of 11 vacation days, 15 additional paid holidays, and 12 sick days. These benefits are thoughtfully pro-rated for part-time positions, affirming our commitment to fairness and flexibility.
About Us:
At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, behavioral health, housing and more. Every day through these services we work to make health, education and housing more equitable for all people in Santa Cruz County. For more than 50 years our work has touched generations by helping people have access to education, rebuild relationships, restore their health and regain dignity.
Overall Scope of Responsibilities: Under close supervision, the TAY Programs Assistant II supports program managers and counseling staff in ensuring the provision of quality and cost-effective services. Responsibilities include data entry, administrative, and clerical duties with a commitment to client dignity and respect. This position is scheduled to work 32 hours per week (Monday through Thursday).
Required Job Standards:
- Presence & Participation
- Flexibility & Responsiveness
- Accuracy & Time Management
- Cultural Literacy
Administrative Duties:
- Office Systems
- Data Input/Documentation
- Customer Service
- General Administration
Additional Duties:
- Create client files and program binders
- Purchase, log, and dispense bus passes
- Data entry of billing and program statistics
- Petty cash, purchase orders, and deposit reconciliation
- Fax, scan, and copy documents
- Typing documents, spreadsheets, meeting notes, Power Point presentations
- Assist with event planning and outreach
- Monitor and order office supply stock
- Order, distribute, and track gift cards and receipts
- Perform work-related errands
- Distribute and collect data for CalYouth survey
- Maintain front desk entry procedures for the resource center
- Provide reception to clients, community partners, and donors
Physical Requirements:
- Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling
- Ability to lift or exert a force of up to 20 pounds
- Repetitive use of computer keyboard, mouse, and extended time viewing a monitor
Driving Requirements: Occasionally driving agency vehicle without clients
Bilingual Stipend: Basic Verbal Proficiency in English/Spanish preferred
Wages & Benefits:
We prioritize the well-being of our team as much as the community we serve. Our comprehensive health benefits reflect this commitment. We offer full-time employees medical and dental insurance plan that ensures peace of mind for themselves and their families. We go beyond traditional care by also offering our employees acupuncture and chiropractic, embracing a holistic approach to health that aligns with our values of care and compassion.
Our team’s future matters just as much as the present. That’s why we offer a 403(b) retirement plan, providing a foundation for a secure retirement. We also recognize the need for work-life balance, so Encompass offers a competitive package of 11 vacation days, 15 additional paid holidays, and 12 sick days. These benefits are thoughtfully pro-rated for part-time positions, affirming our commitment to fairness and flexibility.
About Us:
At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, behavioral health, housing and more. Every day through these services we work to make health, education and housing more equitable for all people in Santa Cruz County. For more than 50 years our work has touched generations by helping people have access to education, rebuild relationships, restore their health and regain dignity.
See All 201+ Program Assistant Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Assistant JobsProgram Assistant Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Assistant Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program assistant jobs across California.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, or a related field
- Experience supporting program operations, scheduling, and administrative coordination
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database or case management software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to track budgets, process invoices, and maintain program documentation
- Familiarity with California state reporting requirements or relevant compliance standards
Program Assistant Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program assistant in California?
Most program assistant roles in California require at minimum an associate degree, and many employers prefer a bachelor's in public administration, social work, health services, or business. No single state license governs the role, but positions within California's health and human services sector often require fingerprint clearance through the California Department of Justice and may require CPR certification. Building experience through internships with county agencies or California-based nonprofits is a common entry path.
Which companies hire program assistants in California?
Employers hiring program assistants in California right now include The Salvation Army, University Enterprises, and Mendocino College, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's large public university systems, county health departments, and integrated health networks like Kaiser Permanente are among the most consistent sources of openings statewide.
Which California cities have the most program assistant jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most program assistant openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its concentration of county agencies, hospital networks, and large nonprofits, while Sacramento's role as the state capital drives demand through state government and advocacy organizations, and San Francisco draws openings from tech-adjacent foundations and major healthcare systems.
Are there remote program assistant jobs in California?
Yes, though they are less common than for purely desk-based roles, since many program assistant positions involve on-site coordination, community outreach, or in-person client contact. About 31% of program assistant openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, skewing toward organizations where administrative and reporting tasks dominate. Grant administration and data-entry-heavy program support roles are the most likely to offer remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a program assistant in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to California county departments of social services or public health, which regularly post program technician and program assistant trainee classifications that require no prior experience. Large systems like the University of California and California State University campuses also hire student coordinators and administrative associates who transition into program assistant roles. A relevant certificate in public administration or a completed internship with a California nonprofit strengthens any application significantly.
Where can I find and apply to program assistant jobs in California?
You can find and apply to program assistant jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across education, healthcare, government, and nonprofit sectors. Search the listings by city or specialty, find the roles that fit your background, and apply directly through each posting.
See All 201+ Program Assistant Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Assistant Jobs