Program Associate Jobs in California

Program Associate jobs in California concentrate in nonprofit management, public health, education policy, and government-funded social services, with demand active enough to make California among the most competitive markets for the role nationally. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where organizations like Kaiser Permanente, RAND Corporation, and the University of California system maintain large program operations. Coordination, grants management, and community health program support are the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Program Associate Jobs

Overview

Open roles82
Top employerHerc Rentals
Top citySacramento, CA
Cities hiring52
Work type56% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 82+ Program Associate jobs

Stanford University
Associate Director, Program Development
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Stanford University
Added 1d ago
Associate Director, Program Development
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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N
Associate Program Director of CalAIM
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N
Added 2d ago
Associate Program Director of CalAIM
Nurturing Care
California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$100k - $125k/yr
Master's degree in social work

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SAIC
Program Analyst Associate
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SAIC
Added 2d ago
Program Analyst Associate
SAIC
San Diego, California
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$40k - $80k/yr
Hybrid
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Protagonist Therapeutics
Associate Director/Director, Program Management
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Protagonist Therapeutics
Added 2d ago
Associate Director/Director, Program Management
Protagonist Therapeutics
Newark, California
Account Management
Business Development
Business Strategy
$175k - $225k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business
11-50

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Safran
Associate Program Manager M-F
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Safran
Added 3d ago
Associate Program Manager M-F
Safran
Santa Maria, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$70k - $114k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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See All 82 Program Associate Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Program Associate Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sacramento
6 jobs
San Francisco
6 jobs
San Diego
5 jobs
Palo Alto
4 jobs
San Jose
3 jobs
Livermore
3 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
Ukiah
2 jobs
Visalia
2 jobs

Program Associate Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Herc Rentals
Herc Rentals9 open roles
Adventist Health
Adventist Health5 open roles
United Rentals
United Rentals3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Technology & Software
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Science & Research

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in program associate jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in public health, social work, public policy, or a related field
  • One to three years of program coordination or administrative project support experience
  • Demonstrated experience managing program budgets, grants, or contract deliverables
  • Proficiency with data tracking tools, spreadsheets, and case management or reporting systems
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder and community engagement
  • Familiarity with California state-funded program compliance requirements and reporting standards

Program Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a program associate in California?

Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in public health, social work, public policy, nonprofit management, or a closely related field. No single state-issued license governs the role, but positions in health-focused organizations often expect familiarity with California Department of Public Health program frameworks. Entry-level candidates typically build experience through internships or AmeriCorps service before applying to associate-level positions at county agencies or nonprofits.

Which companies hire program associates in California?

California program associate roles are posted by Herc Rentals, Adventist Health, and United Rentals and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense concentration of research universities, county health departments, and nationally headquartered nonprofits means openings appear across a broader range of employer types than most other states.

Which California cities have the most program associate jobs?

Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the largest share of program associate openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its scale of county social services and nonprofit sector, San Francisco draws openings from foundations and public health agencies, and Sacramento concentrates state government and policy-linked program roles that require associates to work directly with California departments.

Are there remote program associate jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many comparable roles, because program associate work is largely desk-based and involves coordination, reporting, and stakeholder communication that translate well to remote settings. About 44% of program associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which reflects strong adoption across the nonprofit and policy sectors. Grant reporting, data coordination, and policy research functions are the most consistently remote.

How can I get hired as a program associate in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through AmeriCorps California placements or California Health Corps, which give hands-on program coordination experience that directly translates to associate-level roles. Large California employers such as county departments of social services and UC-affiliated research centers run new-grad associate programs that accept candidates without prior professional experience. Moving laterally from program assistant, case aide, or community health worker roles is equally common. A completed bachelor's degree paired with a capstone project or volunteer coordination experience gives candidates a measurable edge.

Where can I find and apply to program associate jobs in California?

You can find and apply to program associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across nonprofit, government, healthcare, and education employers. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.

See All 82 Program Associate Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Program Associate Jobs