Program Specialist Jobs in Washington, DC
Program Specialist jobs in Washington, District of Columbia are heavily concentrated in the federal corridor stretching from Capitol Hill through Foggy Bottom and into the Anacostia waterfront, driven by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and policy research institutions. Employers currently hiring include Corner Alliance, DC Central Kitchen, and Guardians of Honor. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Civil Engineer Maintenance Program Specialist
Job Responsibilities:
Operations includes the following Air Force Civil Engineer program areas: electrical and power production; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration; carpentry, masonry, steel-working, welding and signage; pavements, heavy equipment and grounds maintenance; entomology and pest management; water, fuels and sewage maintenance and management; work order planning, programming and prioritization; asset management; supply and material control; and service contract acquisition and management.
The Contractor supports execution of the Civil Engineer Operations initiatives, to include the AF/A4C Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), by advancing enterprise initiatives through governance, policy development, stakeholder integration, and program management activities. Coordinates actions across Headquarters Air Force, AFCEC, AFIMSC, MAJCOMs, and installation stakeholders; develops executive decision-support products; monitors implementation progress against strategic objectives; and supports initiatives focused on Operations governance, capability integration, engineering standards, infrastructure resilience, workforce development, and resource advocacy. Provides analysis and recommendations that improve enterprise readiness, mission assurance, and operational effectiveness across the Department of the Air Force.
The ideal candidate must not just understand "how the shops run" but must be able to link tactical shop activities (preventive maintenance, material control, craft execution) to USAF strategic initiatives and the A4C Strategic Plan. This role bridges the gap between tactical base-level execution and Headquarters-level policy development, ensuring the core program areas of the Operations Flight are standardizing business processes, meeting statutory asset management requirements, and maintaining combat-readiness.
Position Description:
The Contractor shall support the planning, coordination, execution, and sustainment of Civil Engineer Operations strategic initiatives and enterprise programs by developing, integrating, and maintaining governance and programmatic documents (e.g., DAFIs, DAFMANs, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), policies, procedures, and implementation guidance) under AF/A4C program management oversight. Support the development of action plans, taskers, inquiry responses, implementation products, and issue-resolution actions that advance strategic objectives and enable effective execution of enterprise Civil Engineer Operations programs.
Provide detailed updates to leadership and stakeholders by coordinating, facilitating, and participating in meetings, forums, and working groups. Develop and present associated products including briefing slides, meeting minutes, after-action reports, executive summaries, and status reports.
Coordinate and collaborate with Government personnel, AFCEC, AFIMSC, MAJCOMs, and other Department of Defense organizations in the implementation and execution of Operations strategy, policy, guidance, and programmatic initiatives. Perform program analysis, develop trend reports, support compliance reviews, monitor program execution, and provide recommendations that improve enterprise Civil Engineer Operations.
Serve as the lead Action Officer (AO) or primary point of contact (POC) for assigned Department of the Air Force, Department of War, audits and inspections impacting Civil Engineer Operations programs. Coordinate audit responses, develop and track Corrective Action Plans and Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), monitor recommendation implementation, and provide executive updates to leadership on audit status and corrective actions.
Support the development, coordination, and maintenance of Civil Engineer Operations governance and programmatic documents resulting from audit findings, policy changes, and program improvements. Assist with updates to DAFIs, DAFMANs, policies, procedures, and MICT communicators/checklists to ensure compliance and effective implementation across the Department of the Air Force.
Support the planning, implementation, execution, and continuous improvement of Civil Engineer Operations strategic initiatives under AF/A4C program management oversight, supporting implementation of selected Civil Engineer Operations Strategic Implementation Plan initiatives involving Operations governance, CE Board integration, Civil Engineer Capability Integration Panel (CECIP) modernization, vehicle advocacy processes, engineering standards governance, and related policy improvement efforts. Coordinate stakeholder actions, develop implementation products, monitor milestone execution, and assist leadership in tracking progress toward strategic objectives.
Required Skills:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university
- Five (5) or more years of experience supporting Air Force or Department of Defense programs
- Experience serving as an Action Officer (AO) supporting senior leaders and executive staffing processes
- Experience coordinating audits, inspections, corrective action plans, or compliance programs
- Experience developing briefing materials, executive correspondence, reports, and decision support products
- Knowledge of Air Force Civil Engineer Squadron organization, Operations Flight responsibilities, and installation-level Civil Engineer processes
- Familiarity with Air Force publications, policy development, and governance processes
- Experience supporting development of implementation guidance, process improvements, or compliance frameworks aligned to strategic enterprise objective
- Experience coordinating actions across multiple organizations and stakeholders
- Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience coordinating cross-organizational working groups and governance forums
Desired Skills:
- Experience supporting Headquarters Air Force, AFCEC, AFIMSC, or MAJCOM organizations
- Familiarity with ETMS, MICT
- Experience supporting governance forums, working groups, or executive-level meetings
- Experience developing or coordinating DAFIs, DAFMANs, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), or other policy and guidance documents
- Knowledge of Air Force Civil Engineer programs and installation operations Knowledge of installation vehicle management, fleet resourcing processes, or equipment modernization initiatives
Company Information:
Cherokee Nation Management & Consulting (CNMC) is a part of Cherokee Federal – the division of tribally owned federal contracting companies owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses. As a trusted partner for more than 60 federal clients, Cherokee Federal LLCs are focused on building a brighter future, solving complex challenges, and serving the government’s mission with compassion and heart. To learn more about CNMC , visit cherokee-federal.com.
#CherokeeFederal #LI-CK1
Cherokee Federal is a military friendly employer. Veterans and active military transitioning to civilian status are encouraged to apply.
Legal Disclaimer: Cherokee Federal is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit cherokee-federal.com/careers for information regarding our Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer Statement, and Accommodation request.
Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations. Candidates must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.
See All 23 Program Specialist Jobs in Washington
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Top Industries Hiring
- Education
Program Specialist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a program specialist job in Washington?
Focus your search on federal agencies, government contractors, and the large nonprofit sector clustered around Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, and the K Street corridor. Experience with program evaluation, grants management, or policy implementation gives you a strong edge with Washington employers. Candidates who can demonstrate familiarity with federal program cycles and reporting requirements tend to move faster through hiring processes here than generalist applicants.
Which companies hire program specialists in Washington?
Companies currently hiring program specialists in Washington include Corner Alliance, DC Central Kitchen, and Guardians of Honor, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Washington's employer mix skews heavily toward federal contractors, international development organizations, and health policy nonprofits, all of which maintain substantial program specialist headcounts.
Are there remote program specialist jobs in Washington?
Yes, though availability depends on the role: program specialists in analytical, grants coordination, and policy support functions tend to be more remote-friendly than those managing field operations or in-person stakeholder engagement. About 67% of program specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with federal contractor and nonprofit roles offering the most hybrid flexibility in this market.
How can I get a program specialist job in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Washington is through federal internship programs, AmeriCorps placements, or coordinator roles at nonprofits in the Dupont Circle and Columbia Heights areas, which regularly hire candidates building their first program management experience. Titles like program coordinator, program assistant, or grants assistant at Washington-based associations and advocacy organizations serve as a direct on-ramp, and a demonstrated ability to track deliverables and support reporting cycles accelerates your candidacy considerably.
Which industries hire the most program specialists in Washington?
Washington program specialist roles concentrate in Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Washington's unique concentration of federal agencies, international NGOs, and health policy institutions makes it one of the densest program specialist markets in the country, sustaining consistent demand well beyond what most comparable cities see.
Related Jobs in District of Columbia
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