Program Specialist Jobs in Ohio
Program Specialist jobs in Ohio are concentrated in government services, healthcare administration, nonprofit program management, and workforce development, with demand at every level from entry-level coordinators to senior program managers. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are the most active hiring metros, anchored by employers such as Battelle, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The most consistent openings center on grant administration, workforce training coordination, and community services program oversight. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Program Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 45+ Program Specialist jobs
Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu . If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions .
Current Employees and Students:
If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please l og in to Workday to use the internal application process.
Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:
Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.
Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.
Job Title:
Academic Program Services Specialist 2Department:
FAES | Agricultural, Environmental and Development EconomicsThe Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) seeks a highly organized, student-centered Undergraduate Program Manager to lead undergraduate recruitment, student engagement, and student success initiatives. This position plays a key role in attracting future students, supporting current students, and fostering a welcoming, connected community from recruitment through graduation.
Reporting to the Department Chair, the Undergraduate Program Manager serves as the primary contact for prospective students and families, coordinates departmental recruitment and student engagement activities, supports students transitioning from Ohio State ATI and regional campuses to Columbus, and manages scholarship, recognition, and student event processes.
The role works closely with faculty, academic advisors, college recruitment teams, the department's Communication and Marketing Specialist, and external stakeholders including Ohio FFA, agricultural educators, employers, and industry partners.
Key Responsibilities
Undergraduate Recruitment
- Lead departmental recruitment efforts for undergraduate majors in Agricultural Communication, Agriscience Education, and Community Leadership.
- Represent ACEL at CFAES and university recruitment events, including State and National FFA Convention, Spark Expo, FFA Camp, career fairs, and Explore Our Fields Day.
- Coordinate prospective student and family visits, including individualized experiences and event-based visits.
- Track recruitment and applicant engagement to inform outreach strategies.
- Collaborate with the Communication and Marketing Specialist to develop recruitment content and messaging.
Student Engagement, Retention, and Success
- Design and implement programs that promote student engagement, retention, and success.
- Serve as a primary departmental resource for undergraduate students.
- Support student organizations and student-focused initiatives.
- Partner with academic advisors and program leaders to connect students with campus resources and support services.
Regional Campus and Transition Support
- Support ACEL students attending Ohio State ATI, Wooster, and regional campuses.
- Coordinate transition programming that assists students moving to the Columbus campus.
- Organize faculty visits, student visits, and community-building activities across campuses.
- Collaborate with CFAES recruitment and student services teams to enhance student success and retention.
Student Events, Scholarships, and Recognition
- Plan and coordinate departmental student events, including the annual ACEL Spring Recognition Banquet.
- Manage undergraduate scholarship processes, including application administration, committee support, student notifications, and recognition activities.
- Coordinate student awards and recognition programs.
- Support donor stewardship efforts, scholarship appreciation activities, and college-wide recognition events.
Program Administration, Reporting, and Assessment
- Monitor and report enrollment and recruitment data across Columbus, Wooster, and regional campuses.
- Support departmental assessment and evaluation efforts, including surveys and data collection.
- Contribute information for annual reports, accreditation reviews, and program evaluations.
- Manage student communication channels and ensure information is timely, accurate, and aligned with university standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience in student recruitment, admissions, student services, academic program coordination, or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, programs, and events simultaneously.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency with standard office and communication technologies.
- Ability to travel within Ohio and work occasional evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, Higher Education and Student Affairs, Agricultural Communication, or a related discipline.
- Four or more years of related experience.
- Knowledge of agriculture, agricultural education, and FFA.
- Experience with CRM and student information systems such as Workday, Salesforce, Slate, or similar platforms.
- Experience coordinating scholarships, recognition programs, or student events.
- Experience supporting students across multiple campuses.
- Experience with surveys, data collection, reporting, and student communications.
Additional Information:
This job profile is an Academic Program Services Specialist 2 (S2 level) on the career roadmap.
The offer for this position will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications
Location:
Agricultural Administration (0003)Position Type:
Term (Fixed Term)Scheduled Hours:
40Shift:
First ShiftFinal candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu . If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions .
Current Employees and Students:
If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please l og in to Workday to use the internal application process.
Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:
Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.
Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.
Job Title:
Academic Program Services Specialist 2Department:
FAES | Agricultural, Environmental and Development EconomicsThe Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) seeks a highly organized, student-centered Undergraduate Program Manager to lead undergraduate recruitment, student engagement, and student success initiatives. This position plays a key role in attracting future students, supporting current students, and fostering a welcoming, connected community from recruitment through graduation.
Reporting to the Department Chair, the Undergraduate Program Manager serves as the primary contact for prospective students and families, coordinates departmental recruitment and student engagement activities, supports students transitioning from Ohio State ATI and regional campuses to Columbus, and manages scholarship, recognition, and student event processes.
The role works closely with faculty, academic advisors, college recruitment teams, the department's Communication and Marketing Specialist, and external stakeholders including Ohio FFA, agricultural educators, employers, and industry partners.
Key Responsibilities
Undergraduate Recruitment
- Lead departmental recruitment efforts for undergraduate majors in Agricultural Communication, Agriscience Education, and Community Leadership.
- Represent ACEL at CFAES and university recruitment events, including State and National FFA Convention, Spark Expo, FFA Camp, career fairs, and Explore Our Fields Day.
- Coordinate prospective student and family visits, including individualized experiences and event-based visits.
- Track recruitment and applicant engagement to inform outreach strategies.
- Collaborate with the Communication and Marketing Specialist to develop recruitment content and messaging.
Student Engagement, Retention, and Success
- Design and implement programs that promote student engagement, retention, and success.
- Serve as a primary departmental resource for undergraduate students.
- Support student organizations and student-focused initiatives.
- Partner with academic advisors and program leaders to connect students with campus resources and support services.
Regional Campus and Transition Support
- Support ACEL students attending Ohio State ATI, Wooster, and regional campuses.
- Coordinate transition programming that assists students moving to the Columbus campus.
- Organize faculty visits, student visits, and community-building activities across campuses.
- Collaborate with CFAES recruitment and student services teams to enhance student success and retention.
Student Events, Scholarships, and Recognition
- Plan and coordinate departmental student events, including the annual ACEL Spring Recognition Banquet.
- Manage undergraduate scholarship processes, including application administration, committee support, student notifications, and recognition activities.
- Coordinate student awards and recognition programs.
- Support donor stewardship efforts, scholarship appreciation activities, and college-wide recognition events.
Program Administration, Reporting, and Assessment
- Monitor and report enrollment and recruitment data across Columbus, Wooster, and regional campuses.
- Support departmental assessment and evaluation efforts, including surveys and data collection.
- Contribute information for annual reports, accreditation reviews, and program evaluations.
- Manage student communication channels and ensure information is timely, accurate, and aligned with university standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience in student recruitment, admissions, student services, academic program coordination, or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, programs, and events simultaneously.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency with standard office and communication technologies.
- Ability to travel within Ohio and work occasional evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, Higher Education and Student Affairs, Agricultural Communication, or a related discipline.
- Four or more years of related experience.
- Knowledge of agriculture, agricultural education, and FFA.
- Experience with CRM and student information systems such as Workday, Salesforce, Slate, or similar platforms.
- Experience coordinating scholarships, recognition programs, or student events.
- Experience supporting students across multiple campuses.
- Experience with surveys, data collection, reporting, and student communications.
Additional Information:
This job profile is an Academic Program Services Specialist 2 (S2 level) on the career roadmap.
The offer for this position will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications
Location:
Agricultural Administration (0003)Position Type:
Term (Fixed Term)Scheduled Hours:
40Shift:
First ShiftFinal candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
See All 45 Program Specialist Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist JobsProgram Specialist Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Specialist Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program specialist jobs across Ohio.
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, or a related field
- Experience managing federal or state grant-funded programs and reporting requirements
- Strong knowledge of program compliance, monitoring, and performance evaluation processes
- Proficiency with case management or program tracking software platforms
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate with community partners, agencies, and stakeholders
- Excellent written communication skills for reports, proposals, and correspondence
Program Specialist Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program specialist in Ohio?
Most program specialist positions in Ohio require at minimum a bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, human services, or a closely related field. State agency roles, particularly through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services or the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, often require passing a civil service examination through the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Specialized certifications in grant management or project management strengthen your candidacy for competitive openings.
Which companies hire program specialists in Ohio?
Ohio program specialist roles are posted by The Ohio State University, L3Harris, and ViaQuest and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Ohio's large base of state agencies, federally funded nonprofits, and research institutions makes it one of the more consistent markets in the Midwest for this role.
Which Ohio cities have the most program specialist jobs?
Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland have the most program specialist openings in Ohio. Columbus dominates because it is the state capital and home to the largest concentration of state agencies, federally funded programs, and major nonprofits, while Cleveland and Cincinnati draw volume from their healthcare systems, regional workforce boards, and large human services organizations.
Are there remote program specialist jobs in Ohio?
Yes, and they are more common than in many other fields, since program specialist work is largely desk-based and involves documentation, reporting, and coordination rather than hands-on service delivery. About 50% of program specialist openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. Grant administration, data reporting, and training coordination roles tend to be the most remote-friendly functions within the title.
How can I get hired as a program specialist in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an Ohio state agency or large nonprofit as a program associate or case management assistant, roles that do not require prior program specialist experience. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities both hire entry-level staff through civil service postings. Completing an AmeriCorps VISTA assignment with an Ohio nonprofit or earning a grant writing certificate gives candidates a clear edge when applying to coordinator-level roles.
Where can I find and apply to program specialist jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to program specialist jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings across state agencies, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and private employers. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match your experience.
See All 45 Program Specialist Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Specialist Jobs