Program Specialist Jobs in New York
Program Specialist jobs in New York are among the most active in the country, concentrated in state and city government agencies, nonprofit social services, healthcare systems, and workforce development organizations, with openings at every level from entry-level coordinator to senior program director. The heaviest hiring happens in and around New York City, Albany, and Buffalo, where large employers such as NYC Health + Hospitals, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and Catholic Charities maintain consistent program specialist demand. The most in-demand specialties include workforce development, youth services, and public health program coordination. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Program Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 109+ Program Specialist jobs
Lived experience as a consumer of mental health, substance use, and/or homeless services is required
Position: Peer Program Specialist, Sabra Goldman House
Reports to: Program Director
Function: Provides direct service to clients in their homes, assisting with training in skills of daily living.
Location: Queens (Queens Village)
Schedule: 16 hours/week (either two 8-hour days or four 4-hour days)
Tasks:
- Teaches skills for maintaining personal hygiene, laundry and apartment cleaning.
- Monitors overall maintenance of apartments and alerts program director of maintenance problems.
- Teaches skills for budgeting, shopping, meal planning, preparation and clean-up.
- Teaches skills for self-preservation, monitors living units for safety and cleanliness.
- Administers the client cooking safety test.
- Monitors, documents and teaches self-administration of medication, according to program policy and procedures.
- Report incidents or behavioral changes in residents to supervisor.
- Teaches travel skills and escorts clients, where needed.
- Facilitates/co-facilitates groups, as requested.
- Documents services rendered and client progress in a timely manner.
- Assists in building self-advocacy skills to effectively communicate with client’s supports and treatment team
- Supports recovery skill building goals to decrease frequency of contact with emergency services
- Attends training and other duties as assigned by supervisory staff
Lived experience receiving mental health services such as past or current participant of behavioral health, substance or homeless services; commitment to assist others in attaining their mental health recovery goals in part through sharing own personal lived experiences. Completion of or on track to receive New York Certified Peer Program (NYCPS) certification preferred. High School diploma or G.E.D. preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Basic computer and data entry skills.
Peer Program Specialist (Single Site), Certified – P/T Hrly Salary: $22.07
Peer Program Specialist (Single Site), Non-certified – P/T Hrly Salary: $22.00
Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 professional references.
ACMH is committed to the mental and physical wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers and is a leader in the provision of outreach and engagement, care management, rehabilitation, crisis support, and supportive housing. ACMH is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and seeks to promote actionable change to create an intentional culture of equity at individual, interpersonal and institutional levels.
For more information, visit our website: www.acmhnyc.org
ACMH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment decisions based on race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, veteran status or citizenship status.
Lived experience as a consumer of mental health, substance use, and/or homeless services is required
Position: Peer Program Specialist, Sabra Goldman House
Reports to: Program Director
Function: Provides direct service to clients in their homes, assisting with training in skills of daily living.
Location: Queens (Queens Village)
Schedule: 16 hours/week (either two 8-hour days or four 4-hour days)
Tasks:
- Teaches skills for maintaining personal hygiene, laundry and apartment cleaning.
- Monitors overall maintenance of apartments and alerts program director of maintenance problems.
- Teaches skills for budgeting, shopping, meal planning, preparation and clean-up.
- Teaches skills for self-preservation, monitors living units for safety and cleanliness.
- Administers the client cooking safety test.
- Monitors, documents and teaches self-administration of medication, according to program policy and procedures.
- Report incidents or behavioral changes in residents to supervisor.
- Teaches travel skills and escorts clients, where needed.
- Facilitates/co-facilitates groups, as requested.
- Documents services rendered and client progress in a timely manner.
- Assists in building self-advocacy skills to effectively communicate with client’s supports and treatment team
- Supports recovery skill building goals to decrease frequency of contact with emergency services
- Attends training and other duties as assigned by supervisory staff
Lived experience receiving mental health services such as past or current participant of behavioral health, substance or homeless services; commitment to assist others in attaining their mental health recovery goals in part through sharing own personal lived experiences. Completion of or on track to receive New York Certified Peer Program (NYCPS) certification preferred. High School diploma or G.E.D. preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Basic computer and data entry skills.
Peer Program Specialist (Single Site), Certified – P/T Hrly Salary: $22.07
Peer Program Specialist (Single Site), Non-certified – P/T Hrly Salary: $22.00
Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 professional references.
ACMH is committed to the mental and physical wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers and is a leader in the provision of outreach and engagement, care management, rehabilitation, crisis support, and supportive housing. ACMH is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and seeks to promote actionable change to create an intentional culture of equity at individual, interpersonal and institutional levels.
For more information, visit our website: www.acmhnyc.org
ACMH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment decisions based on race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, veteran status or citizenship status.
See All 109+ Program Specialist Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist JobsProgram Specialist Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Specialist Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- ADAPT Community Network10
- ACMH9
- Police Athletic League8
- University of Rochester6
- together for youth5
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program specialist jobs across New York.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, or a related field required
- Experience managing federally or state-funded program grants and compliance reporting
- Familiarity with New York State contracting and procurement processes preferred
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports and program documentation
- Proficiency in case management or program tracking databases such as CONNECTIONS or HHS Accelerator
- Ability to coordinate across multiple community stakeholders, partners, and government agencies
Program Specialist Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program specialist in New York?
Most program specialist roles in New York require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the program area, such as public administration, social work, education, or public health. No single statewide license governs all program specialists, but roles in specific sectors carry additional requirements: social services positions often require a New York State-recognized credential or registration with the Office of the Professions, while public health roles may require registration through the New York State Department of Health. Building experience through AmeriCorps programs, New York City agency internships, or nonprofit fellowships is a common entry path.
Which companies hire program specialists in New York?
Companies currently hiring program specialists in New York include ADAPT Community Network, ACMH, and Police Athletic League, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. New York's mix of large municipal agencies, federally funded nonprofits, and major healthcare networks means program specialist demand is distributed across both the public and private sectors.
Which New York cities have the most program specialist jobs?
Bronx, New York, and Rochester have the most program specialist openings in New York. New York City dominates due to the scale of its municipal agencies, hospital systems, and nonprofit sector, while Albany's concentration of state government offices drives consistent demand upstate, and Buffalo's growing healthcare and human services sector accounts for a meaningful share of Western New York listings.
Are there remote program specialist jobs in New York?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many program specialist roles involve community outreach, site visits, or in-person coordination with clients and partners. About 30% of program specialist openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the most remote-eligible work concentrated in grant writing, data reporting, and program evaluation functions.
How can I get hired as a program specialist in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a coordinator or associate program role at a New York City or Albany-area nonprofit, city agency, or community health organization. Large employers such as NYC Health + Hospitals and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development run new professional and fellowship pipelines that bring in candidates without direct program management experience. Lateral moves from case management, community outreach, or administrative coordinator roles are common, and a relevant certification such as a nonprofit management credential from a CUNY or SUNY continuing education program gives candidates a practical edge.
Where can I find and apply to program specialist jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to program specialist jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current New York openings updated in real time. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly through each posting.
See All 109+ Program Specialist Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist Jobs