Program Specialist Jobs in Minnesota
Program Specialist jobs in Minnesota concentrate in state and county government agencies, nonprofit human services organizations, healthcare administration, and workforce development programs, with openings at every level from entry-level coordinators to senior policy roles. The Twin Cities metro anchors most of the hiring, with additional demand in Rochester and Duluth, where employers like the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Hennepin Healthcare, and Allina Health consistently staff program specialists across benefits administration, grant management, and community health initiatives. Health and human services coordination, workforce program management, and grant compliance are among the most in-demand specializations across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 19+ Program Specialist jobs
Demand Side Management Program Specialist
Location: Fergus Falls
Salary grade 10 or 12
Otter Tail Power Company is seeking an innovative and collaborative professional to lead the development and management of customer energy programs that support demand-side management, load growth, electrification, and energy optimization objectives. In this role, you'll combine market intelligence, customer insights, and program leadership to develop products, services, and strategies that create value for customers while advancing Company goals. The successful candidate will serve as the Company's subject matter expert and program owner for multiple customer-facing energy programs, helping guide strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement.
This position serves as a key link between customers, emerging technologies, and utility operations. Partnering with teams across Customer Service, Sales and Implementation, Industrial Services, Resource Planning, Regulatory, Advanced Concepts, and Operations, you'll evaluate market opportunities, manage program performance, and drive the implementation of customer-focused solutions that support system reliability, customer experience, and the evolving energy needs of the communities we serve.
This position reports to the Manager of Retail Energy Solutions and also known as Market Research Analyst I or II.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and Manage Customer Energy Programs
- Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of demand-side management (DSM), load management, electrification, and energy optimization programs that support customer needs and Company objectives.
Conduct Market and Customer Research
- Analyze customer segments, market trends, competitive offerings, demographic changes, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and develop effective customer solutions.
Drive Product and Program Strategy
- Manage the full lifecycle of customer-facing products and services, including business case development, positioning, pricing, forecasting, implementation, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Support Company Growth and Energy Objectives
- Develop innovative programs that advance load growth, load retention, demand response, energy conservation and optimization (ECO), customer experience, customer satisfaction, and beneficial electrification goals.
Evaluate Emerging Technologies and Market Opportunities
- Research and assess new technologies, energy market developments, and customer solutions to identify innovations that create customer value and support Company strategy.
Lead Cross-Functional Initiatives
- Collaborate with Customer Service, Sales and Implementation, Industrial Services, Resource Planning, Regulatory, Advanced Concepts, and Operations teams to establish goals, secure stakeholder alignment, and execute strategic initiatives.
Perform Financial and Operational Analysis
- Develop forecasts, pro forma financial analyses, pricing strategies, spending to budget analysis, and performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and support decision-making.
Monitor Regulatory, Economic, and Industry Trends
- Assess the impacts of economic conditions, regulatory policy, utility industry developments, and evolving customer expectations to inform program design and business strategy.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Energy Management, Engineering, Economics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant utility, energy, or customer program experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Demonstrated knowledge of marketing principles, market research methodologies, customer analytics, product development, pricing strategies, and project management practices.
- Knowledge of electric utility operations, including customer service, regulatory processes, resource planning, energy markets, demand-side management, energy efficiency, electrification, and load management technologies.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial evaluation skills, including the ability to develop business cases, forecasts, and performance metrics to support decision-making.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to identify emerging opportunities, evaluate new technologies, and deliver innovative customer solutions that support Company objectives.
What We Offer
We believe employment is a partnership and we expect excellence from our talented employees. To support our employees and help drive their career experience and goals.
- Competitive wage & benefit package.
- The expected offer for base compensation for this role is $62,000 - $114,000 annually. The actual compensation within the compensation range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
- Incentive plans
- Employee Stock Ownership options
- Retirement Savings Fund with employer match
- Health, disability and life insurance plan options
- Our employees are provided training and development opportunities each year, including education reimbursement. This includes safety – one of our values and key to our success – technical, compliance and developmental training.
- Career development is critical to our long-term success. Otter Tail Power employees have opportunities to participate in various leadership development programs, gain access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, receive mentorship from current leaders and more!
- Mental health support from the experts at SupportLinc as well as competitive vacation and sick leave to ensure employees are at their best when they’re working.
To apply, visit our careers page at www.otpco.com. Applications accepted through September 11, 2026.
Position placement within Analyst I or Analyst II and corresponding salary grade will be based on the successful candidate's education, experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Demand Side Management Program Specialist
Location: Fergus Falls
Salary grade 10 or 12
Otter Tail Power Company is seeking an innovative and collaborative professional to lead the development and management of customer energy programs that support demand-side management, load growth, electrification, and energy optimization objectives. In this role, you'll combine market intelligence, customer insights, and program leadership to develop products, services, and strategies that create value for customers while advancing Company goals. The successful candidate will serve as the Company's subject matter expert and program owner for multiple customer-facing energy programs, helping guide strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement.
This position serves as a key link between customers, emerging technologies, and utility operations. Partnering with teams across Customer Service, Sales and Implementation, Industrial Services, Resource Planning, Regulatory, Advanced Concepts, and Operations, you'll evaluate market opportunities, manage program performance, and drive the implementation of customer-focused solutions that support system reliability, customer experience, and the evolving energy needs of the communities we serve.
This position reports to the Manager of Retail Energy Solutions and also known as Market Research Analyst I or II.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and Manage Customer Energy Programs
- Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of demand-side management (DSM), load management, electrification, and energy optimization programs that support customer needs and Company objectives.
Conduct Market and Customer Research
- Analyze customer segments, market trends, competitive offerings, demographic changes, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and develop effective customer solutions.
Drive Product and Program Strategy
- Manage the full lifecycle of customer-facing products and services, including business case development, positioning, pricing, forecasting, implementation, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Support Company Growth and Energy Objectives
- Develop innovative programs that advance load growth, load retention, demand response, energy conservation and optimization (ECO), customer experience, customer satisfaction, and beneficial electrification goals.
Evaluate Emerging Technologies and Market Opportunities
- Research and assess new technologies, energy market developments, and customer solutions to identify innovations that create customer value and support Company strategy.
Lead Cross-Functional Initiatives
- Collaborate with Customer Service, Sales and Implementation, Industrial Services, Resource Planning, Regulatory, Advanced Concepts, and Operations teams to establish goals, secure stakeholder alignment, and execute strategic initiatives.
Perform Financial and Operational Analysis
- Develop forecasts, pro forma financial analyses, pricing strategies, spending to budget analysis, and performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and support decision-making.
Monitor Regulatory, Economic, and Industry Trends
- Assess the impacts of economic conditions, regulatory policy, utility industry developments, and evolving customer expectations to inform program design and business strategy.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Energy Management, Engineering, Economics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant utility, energy, or customer program experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Demonstrated knowledge of marketing principles, market research methodologies, customer analytics, product development, pricing strategies, and project management practices.
- Knowledge of electric utility operations, including customer service, regulatory processes, resource planning, energy markets, demand-side management, energy efficiency, electrification, and load management technologies.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial evaluation skills, including the ability to develop business cases, forecasts, and performance metrics to support decision-making.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to identify emerging opportunities, evaluate new technologies, and deliver innovative customer solutions that support Company objectives.
What We Offer
We believe employment is a partnership and we expect excellence from our talented employees. To support our employees and help drive their career experience and goals.
- Competitive wage & benefit package.
- The expected offer for base compensation for this role is $62,000 - $114,000 annually. The actual compensation within the compensation range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
- Incentive plans
- Employee Stock Ownership options
- Retirement Savings Fund with employer match
- Health, disability and life insurance plan options
- Our employees are provided training and development opportunities each year, including education reimbursement. This includes safety – one of our values and key to our success – technical, compliance and developmental training.
- Career development is critical to our long-term success. Otter Tail Power employees have opportunities to participate in various leadership development programs, gain access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, receive mentorship from current leaders and more!
- Mental health support from the experts at SupportLinc as well as competitive vacation and sick leave to ensure employees are at their best when they’re working.
To apply, visit our careers page at www.otpco.com. Applications accepted through September 11, 2026.
Position placement within Analyst I or Analyst II and corresponding salary grade will be based on the successful candidate's education, experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 19 Program Specialist Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist JobsProgram Specialist Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Specialist Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program specialist jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, human services, or a related field
- Experience managing or coordinating a state, federal, or nonprofit-funded program
- Proficiency with case management systems, databases, or program reporting tools
- Strong written communication skills for grant reports, policy documentation, and stakeholder updates
- Ability to interpret and apply federal or state program regulations and compliance requirements
- Experience collaborating with community partners, county agencies, or interdisciplinary service teams
Program Specialist Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program specialist in Minnesota?
Most program specialist roles in Minnesota require a bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, human services, healthcare administration, or a closely related field. No single statewide license governs the title, but roles within specific domains carry additional requirements: program specialists in behavioral health settings often need a license from the Minnesota Board of Social Work, while those in early childhood programs may need a Child Development Associate credential recognized by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Which companies hire program specialists in Minnesota?
Minnesota program specialist roles are posted by GT Independence, Edina Public Schools, and nVent and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. State agencies, large nonprofit networks, and integrated health systems headquartered in the Twin Cities region are consistently among the most active sources of openings.
Which Minnesota cities have the most program specialist jobs?
Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Edina account for the largest share of program specialist openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities concentration reflects the density of state agency headquarters, major health systems, and large nonprofit organizations based there, while Rochester's strength is driven largely by healthcare administration demand tied to its prominent medical institutions, and Duluth draws from regional county and community services employers.
Are there remote program specialist jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, because much of the work involves coordination, reporting, and documentation rather than in-person service delivery. About 100% of program specialist openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of much program management work. Roles focused on grant compliance, data reporting, and policy administration tend to be the most consistently remote or hybrid.
How can I get hired as a program specialist in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through program assistant, case aide, or program coordinator roles at Minnesota county human services departments or large nonprofits like Greater Twin Cities United Way or Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, which regularly post associate-level positions that lead to specialist titles. Completing an AmeriCorps term through ServeMinnesota or a graduate internship with a state agency like the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development builds the direct program experience employers expect. A Child Development Associate credential or coursework toward a social work license from the Minnesota Board of Social Work strengthens early applications considerably.
Where can I find and apply to program specialist jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to program specialist jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search for roles that match your background, review the full listings, and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location.
See All 19 Program Specialist Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist Jobs