Program Specialist Jobs
Program Specialist jobs are open across government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare, and education, at every level from entry-level coordinator to senior and supervisory roles, with specializations in workforce development, grant administration, and policy compliance. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 1,559+ Program Specialist jobs
PLEASE NOTE: This position will pay $36.00 per hour.
Must be a former police officer; must be a US citizen; must have a high school diploma or GED; Possess or be eligible for a Virginia driver’s license with no more than six demerit points in the past twelve months or a DUI conviction within the past four years; no conviction of felonies and/or habitual misdemeanors; no conviction of, or guilty pleas or no contest plea to: misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including petit larceny; any misdemeanor sex offense; or any domestic assault. Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required. This position is considered Critical Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug testing and alcohol testing. The use of illegal drugs, and/or the use of medical marijuana for this position is prohibited. Employees must not consume or be under the influence of alcohol while on duty, on work premises, or operating agency equipment. This position is subject to working in high security areas governed by the US Department of Justice’s “Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy” and therefore requires successfully passing a more stringent criminal background check.
PLEASE NOTE: This position will pay $36.00 per hour.
Must be a former police officer; must be a US citizen; must have a high school diploma or GED; Possess or be eligible for a Virginia driver’s license with no more than six demerit points in the past twelve months or a DUI conviction within the past four years; no conviction of felonies and/or habitual misdemeanors; no conviction of, or guilty pleas or no contest plea to: misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including petit larceny; any misdemeanor sex offense; or any domestic assault. Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required. This position is considered Critical Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug testing and alcohol testing. The use of illegal drugs, and/or the use of medical marijuana for this position is prohibited. Employees must not consume or be under the influence of alcohol while on duty, on work premises, or operating agency equipment. This position is subject to working in high security areas governed by the US Department of Justice’s “Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy” and therefore requires successfully passing a more stringent criminal background check.
Program Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Program Specialists
Explore program specialist openings in the cities hiring most right now.
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Find Program Specialist JobsProgram Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- L3Harris58
- Booster23
- State of Missouri20
- State of Arkansas19
- State of Florida16
Top Industries Hiring
- Education12
- Healthcare & Medical Services8
- Government & Public Sector3
- Consulting & Professional Services3
- Insurance2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social sciences, education, or a related field
- Experience managing or coordinating a structured program from planning through evaluation
- Proficiency with database and case management systems for tracking program participants
- Strong written communication skills for reports, grant narratives, and stakeholder updates
- Familiarity with federal or state compliance requirements relevant to the program area
- Project management skills including scheduling, budgeting, and cross-team coordination
Tips for Your Program Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to each program area
Program specialist roles vary widely by sector. A resume that highlights grant reporting and compliance metrics will land differently at a federal agency than at a nonprofit. Match your bullet points to the specific program type in each posting.
Decode the federal job series numbers
Many government program specialist openings use OPM job series codes like GS-0301 or GS-1101. Search by series number on agency career portals to surface openings that generic keyword searches miss entirely.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists program specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Quantify your program outcomes on your resume
Hiring managers want to see scope and results, not just duties. Replace phrases like 'managed program activities' with specifics: the number of participants served, the budget you oversaw, or the compliance rate your team achieved.
Prepare scenario answers for program failure questions
Interviewers for program specialist roles almost always ask about a program that underperformed or needed a course correction. Prepare a concrete example that shows your diagnosis, the adjustment you made, and the measurable outcome that followed.
Negotiate for professional development in your offer
Program specialist offers at government agencies and nonprofits often have limited salary flexibility. Certification reimbursement, conference attendance, or a clear promotion timeline can add real value when the base pay is fixed.
Program Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most program specialists?
L3Harris, Booster, and State of Missouri are hiring the most program specialists right now, with openings concentrated in California, Florida, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially strong at federal agencies, large nonprofits, and healthcare systems with federally funded programs.
How many program specialist jobs are remote?
About 47% of program specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the highest remote share in grant management, policy coordination, and training and technical assistance roles. Positions that require direct participant contact or on-site program delivery are more likely to be fully in-person.
How do you become a program specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in a field aligned to your target program area, such as public administration, social work, public health, or education. Build hands-on experience through internships, AmeriCorps, or entry-level coordinator roles. Develop familiarity with program evaluation, grant compliance, and reporting requirements. Earning a relevant certification, such as a project management credential, strengthens applications for mid-level and government roles.
Can you get hired as a program specialist with little experience?
Yes, many entry-level program specialist roles are designed for candidates with limited professional experience, especially in the nonprofit and government sectors. Volunteer coordination, community organizing, and academic research all translate well. Focus your application on transferable skills like stakeholder communication, data tracking, and event or project coordination, and emphasize any exposure to the program's specific subject area.
What does the program specialist interview process look like?
Most program specialist interviews include a structured behavioral round using situation-based questions about program planning, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. Government positions often add a written exercise or work sample, such as drafting a program summary or responding to a compliance scenario. Final rounds frequently involve a panel from across departments, so prepare to address both operational detail and big-picture program goals.
Where can I find and apply to program specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to program specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your experience and program area, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and goals.
See All 1,559+ Program Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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