Program Development Specialist Jobs
Program Development Specialist jobs are open across nonprofits, healthcare, education, and government agencies, from entry-level coordinator roles to senior and director-level positions, with specializations in curriculum design, grant management, and community outreach. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
The Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC) provides the youth of our city a sense of belonging and vital tools and experiences to succeed in life. Our services include academic support and college counseling, job placement and employment training, substance use and violence prevention education, crisis intervention and mediation, leadership development, technology and computer training. Our mission is to encourage a diverse population of high-need young people to explore their full potential through academic, career, family, and community life.
Title: Program Specialist
Salary: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour plus excellent benefits
Reports to: Program Coordinator
Status: Full Time, (40 hours/week), Non Exempt
Program Summary: CYC’s YAWL Workforce Development Program provides job readiness and employment support services to youth ages 16-24. The program offers 1:1 job search and career coaching, work based learning internships, college and career exploration, and job shadowing opportunities to propel youth and young adults to be ready for college, work and reach productive adulthood.
Position Description: Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, the Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating and facilitating employment readiness workshops/training, career counseling, and providing high quality youth workforce and development services.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop curriculum and facilitate job readiness training workshops which include but are not limited to: professionalism, career exploration, resume and cover letter building, job search/navigation, interview skill development, mock interviews, and strength/talent identification.
- Provide 1:1 career guidance and assist participants with individualized education and career planning services, job search and placement assistance and conduct follow ups for retention services.
- Collaborate with the workforce team to strategize on program planning, development and implementation of overall youth workforce development programs and outcomes.
- Lead youth outreach initiatives, cultivating strategic community partnerships and developing a robust referral network to support recruitment and engagement.
- Support worksite visits, college tours, career spotlights, and special events as assigned.
- Connect participants to resources within CYC and other CBO or city services for barrier removal to ensure their success.
- Ensure that all program development incorporates local “Youth Program Quality Standards” and all deliverables are met as stated in the grant work plan.
- Act as a liaison and collaborate with other post secondary educational and training services to support youth.
- Coordinate GED attainment services, tutoring services, and basic skills remediation as needed.
- Cultivate relationships with employers to develop employment opportunities for youth and young adults.
- Complete all required written documentation and reports as required to meet funder compliance.
- Support agency-wide events and other duties as assigned by management.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Two years of experience working with youth, preferably within youth workforce development programs.
- Experience in facilitating meetings, workshops, and providing 1:1 support to youth and young adults.
- Ability to work with ethnically diverse groups of low-income youth as well as English language learners to provide social and emotional support.
- Experience working with community-based service providers and private sector partners.
- Ability to work as part of a team to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and to work independently in a fast paced environment.
- Bilingual in Spanish/Chinese and English is preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Good organizational and project management skills.
- Enthusiasm for promoting academic achievement and college to career education.
- Able to lift or move at least 25lbs
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
CYC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis recognized by federal, state, or local law, including on the basis of the intersection of two or more protected characteristics, also known as intersectional discrimination. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
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What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program development specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, education, or a related field
- Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating programs in a nonprofit or public sector setting
- Demonstrated grant writing and grant management skills across multiple funding sources
- Proficiency with project management tools and data tracking or reporting platforms
- Strong written communication skills for proposals, reports, and stakeholder documentation
- Familiarity with logic model frameworks, needs assessments, or program evaluation methodologies
Tips for Your Program Development Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to program language
Program development specialists are evaluated on outcomes, not just duties. Reframe your bullet points around programs you built, launched, or scaled, naming the population served and the measurable result. Generic administrative language will get you screened out fast.
Highlight grant writing and reporting experience
Many program development specialist roles are funded by grants, so employers scan for candidates who can write proposals, manage compliance timelines, and produce funder reports. Call out specific grant types you've worked with, such as federal, foundation, or corporate grants.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists program development specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by program focus, not just title
Job postings for this role vary widely in title. Search terms like 'program coordinator,' 'program analyst,' and 'program manager' alongside your specialization, such as workforce development or public health, to surface openings that match your background but use different titles.
Prepare a program portfolio before interviews
Bring a one-page program summary to interviews that shows a program you developed from needs assessment through evaluation. Hiring managers in this field want evidence you can move a concept from planning to implementation, not just describe the process theoretically.
Negotiate scope before accepting any offer
Program development specialist roles vary enormously in authority. Before accepting, clarify whether you'll own program design decisions, manage staff, or sit in a support role. The title is consistent but the actual scope differs enough to affect your career trajectory significantly.
Program Development Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most program development specialists?
The companies hiring the most program development specialists right now include National Grid, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Liberty Mutual Insurance, with the largest share of openings in Illinois, Texas, and Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Nonprofits, health systems, and local government agencies consistently represent the highest volume of open roles.
How many program development specialist jobs are remote?
About 50% of program development specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though availability depends heavily on the employer type and program focus. Roles centered on curriculum development, grant writing, and policy work tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring direct community outreach or on-site program delivery are typically in-person.
How do you become a program development specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in a field tied to your target sector, such as public health, education, social work, or public administration. Build hands-on experience through internships, volunteer coordination, or entry-level program assistant roles. Develop grant writing skills and learn program evaluation frameworks like logic models. A master's degree strengthens your candidacy for senior roles in competitive organizations.
Can I get hired as a program development specialist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level program development specialist roles exist, particularly in nonprofits and community organizations that prioritize passion and transferable skills. Volunteer coordination, community organizing, tutoring, case management, and event planning all translate directly. Tailor your resume to highlight any work where you planned, ran, or improved a structured activity serving a defined group of people.
What does the program development specialist interview process look like?
Most employers use a two to three round process. The first round is typically a phone or video screen focused on your background and familiarity with the organization's mission. The second round is a structured behavioral interview with scenario questions about program design, stakeholder management, and handling funding constraints. Some employers add a written exercise, such as drafting a brief program proposal or responding to a mock funder's RFP.
Where can I find and apply to program development specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to program development specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. The listings cover roles in nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and education, at every experience level. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each listing.
See All 39 Program Development Specialist Jobs
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