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 IRS, MTSI, and SAIC. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 19+ Program Specialist jobs
Job ID: 2614319
Location: Washington, DC, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-08
Category: Program Management
Subcategory: Project Analyst
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: No
Minimum Clearance Required: Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Secret
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_REMOTE
Description
SAIC is looking for a Program Support Specialist will play a critical role in assisting with Phases I and II of the COE (Centers of Excellence) Competitions process. This position involves working closely with Program Managers and COE leadership to ensure research and education workplans align with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements and the broader homeland security mission. The role also requires fostering collaboration with academic stakeholders to enhance the practical application of their research and educational initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- COE Competition Support: Assist Program Managers in administering and supporting Phases I and II of the COE Competitions process.
- Alignment with DHS Requirements: Collaborate with COE leadership to ensure that annually approved research and educational workplans meet DHS standards and align with strategic homeland security mission objectives.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a liaison between COE leadership, researchers, and educators to promote engagement and support partnerships that advance homeland security goals.
- Operational Needs Alignment: Support Program Managers in collaborating with researchers and educators across various academic disciplines to ensure their work is tailored to on-the-ground operational requirements.
- Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development of processes, strategies, and frameworks that enhance the effectiveness of COE operations and align research initiatives with real-world application.
Qualifications
Required:
- BS and 5 years of related experience (4 years experience in lieu of degree)
- Active Secret clearance requiring U.S. Citizenship
- Strong understanding of DHS requirements and familiarity with the homeland security mission.
- Experience in program administration and stakeholder engagement, preferably in an academic or research-oriented environment.
- Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with a diverse range of academic and operational stakeholders.
- Proven ability to assist in strategic planning and aligning operations with established requirements and mission needs.
- Demonstrated capability to manage complex processes and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Knowledge of interdisciplinary academic research and its practical applications.
- Prior experience supporting federal programs or agencies, especially in the field of homeland security.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills to support program development and competition phases.
Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
Job ID: 2614319
Location: Washington, DC, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-08
Category: Program Management
Subcategory: Project Analyst
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: No
Minimum Clearance Required: Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Secret
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_REMOTE
Description
SAIC is looking for a Program Support Specialist will play a critical role in assisting with Phases I and II of the COE (Centers of Excellence) Competitions process. This position involves working closely with Program Managers and COE leadership to ensure research and education workplans align with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements and the broader homeland security mission. The role also requires fostering collaboration with academic stakeholders to enhance the practical application of their research and educational initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- COE Competition Support: Assist Program Managers in administering and supporting Phases I and II of the COE Competitions process.
- Alignment with DHS Requirements: Collaborate with COE leadership to ensure that annually approved research and educational workplans meet DHS standards and align with strategic homeland security mission objectives.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a liaison between COE leadership, researchers, and educators to promote engagement and support partnerships that advance homeland security goals.
- Operational Needs Alignment: Support Program Managers in collaborating with researchers and educators across various academic disciplines to ensure their work is tailored to on-the-ground operational requirements.
- Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development of processes, strategies, and frameworks that enhance the effectiveness of COE operations and align research initiatives with real-world application.
Qualifications
Required:
- BS and 5 years of related experience (4 years experience in lieu of degree)
- Active Secret clearance requiring U.S. Citizenship
- Strong understanding of DHS requirements and familiarity with the homeland security mission.
- Experience in program administration and stakeholder engagement, preferably in an academic or research-oriented environment.
- Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with a diverse range of academic and operational stakeholders.
- Proven ability to assist in strategic planning and aligning operations with established requirements and mission needs.
- Demonstrated capability to manage complex processes and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Knowledge of interdisciplinary academic research and its practical applications.
- Prior experience supporting federal programs or agencies, especially in the field of homeland security.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills to support program development and competition phases.
Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
See All 19 Program Specialist Jobs in Washington
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Find Program Specialist JobsProgram Specialist Job Market in Washington
Who's Hiring
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 IRS, MTSI, and SAIC, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 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 33% of program specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of July 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 July 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
See All 19 Program Specialist Jobs in Washington
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