Program Specialist Jobs in Connecticut

Program Specialist jobs in Connecticut are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in state government agencies, nonprofit social services, healthcare systems, and federally funded education programs. Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport anchor most of the hiring, where employers like Cigna, Yale New Haven Health, and the Connecticut Department of Social Services regularly staff program specialists at coordinator through senior levels. The most in-demand specialties include workforce development, behavioral health programming, and grant-funded community services. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles22
Top employerPorter and Chester Institute
Top cityNew Haven, CT
Cities hiring14
Work type70% On-site
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 22+ Program Specialist jobs

Program Specialist for Mt. Carmel KinderCare
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Added 3d ago
Program Specialist for Mt. Carmel KinderCare
KinderCare Learning Companies
Hamden, Connecticut
Corporate Training
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
$19 - $23.95/hr
10,000+

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Housing Specialist HERO Program (Monday - Friday, first shift hours)
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Added 3d ago
Housing Specialist HERO Program (Monday - Friday, first shift hours)
Mental Health Connecticut, Inc.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Administrative & Office Support
Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in social science

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Career Program Specialist (Admissions Representative)
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Added 4d ago
Career Program Specialist (Admissions Representative)
Porter and Chester Institute
Waterbury, Connecticut
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$24 - $27.5/hr
High school diploma or GED
201-500

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Career Program Specialist (Admissions Representative)
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Added 4d ago
Career Program Specialist (Admissions Representative)
Porter and Chester Institute
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$24 - $27.5/hr
High school diploma or GED
201-500

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Specialist, Earned Value Program Analyst EVM (Onsite)
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Added 6d ago
Specialist, Earned Value Program Analyst EVM (Onsite)
Pratt & Whitney
East Hartford, Connecticut
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$87k - $165k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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See All 22 Program Specialist Jobs in Connecticut

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

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Program Specialist Jobs by City in Connecticut

Where Connecticut roles are concentrated, by current openings.

New Haven
3 jobs
Bridgeport
3 jobs
Torrington
3 jobs
Hamden
2 jobs
Meriden
2 jobs
Groton
1 job
Hartford
1 job
Trumbull
1 job
Waterbury
1 job

Program Specialist Job Market in Connecticut

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

Who's Hiring

Porter and Chester Institute3 open roles
Mental Health Connecticut3 open roles
Benecare1 open role

What Connecticut Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in program specialist jobs across Connecticut.

  • Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, education, or a related field
  • Two or more years of experience managing or coordinating a government or nonprofit program
  • Demonstrated ability to track program outcomes and prepare reports for funders or leadership
  • Experience working with federal or state grant compliance requirements and documentation
  • Strong written communication skills for drafting program materials, proposals, and correspondence
  • Proficiency with case management software, databases, or program tracking platforms

Program Specialist Jobs in Connecticut: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a program specialist in Connecticut?

Most program specialist roles in Connecticut require a bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the program area, such as public administration, social work, education, or public health. State agency positions often require meeting Connecticut's merit system standards through the Department of Administrative Services, which classifies roles and may require a competitive examination. Nonprofit and healthcare employers typically look for relevant program experience over a specific credential, while federally funded roles prioritize familiarity with grant compliance and federal reporting requirements.

Which companies hire program specialists in Connecticut?

Employers hiring program specialists in Connecticut right now include Porter and Chester Institute, Mental Health Connecticut, and Benecare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Connecticut's concentration of state agencies, large health insurers, and federally funded nonprofits means program specialist demand is spread across both public and private sectors.

Which Connecticut cities have the most program specialist jobs?

New Haven, Bridgeport, and Torrington have the most program specialist openings in Connecticut. Hartford drives the largest share as the state capital and home to major state agencies, Cigna, and a dense network of nonprofits, while New Haven's concentration of Yale institutions and community health organizations sustains steady demand, and Bridgeport draws hiring from regional social service agencies and workforce development programs serving Fairfield County.

Are there remote program specialist jobs in Connecticut?

Yes, though availability varies by program area. About 30% of program specialist openings tied to Connecticut are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's mix of desk-based coordination and in-person community work. Positions focused on data analysis, grant writing, and compliance reporting are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, while roles involving direct client contact or on-site program delivery typically require a physical presence.

How can I get hired as a program specialist in Connecticut with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a program coordinator or program assistant role at a Connecticut nonprofit or state agency, where responsibilities overlap closely with specialist work. Organizations like United Way of Connecticut, Community Health Center Inc., and local Area Agencies on Aging regularly hire entry-level program staff. Completing an AmeriCorps VISTA placement with a Connecticut host site builds direct program management experience recognized by state and nonprofit employers. A relevant internship, a certification in nonprofit management, or volunteer grant-writing experience also strengthens an application at the associate level.

Where can I find and apply to program specialist jobs in Connecticut?

You can find and apply to program specialist jobs in Connecticut on Migrate Mate, which lists current Connecticut openings from state agencies, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and private employers. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 22 Program Specialist Jobs in Connecticut

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

Find Program Specialist Jobs