Program Associate Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Program Associate roles are actively sponsored under the H-1B visa, with employers in nonprofits, international development, and public health filing petitions for candidates with relevant bachelor's degrees. Competition is real, but sponsorship is a standard part of hiring in this field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsProgram Associate, People Pathway
Location: San Francisco, CA
Department: Community Impact
Type: Regular, Full Time, Exempt
Min. Experience: Intermediate Level
The hourly compensation for this position in FY26 is: $ 45.71/hr.
The Program Associate supports the Community Impact Department’s relationships, strategy development, research, and communications functions. The Program Associate works closely with the People team, other Community Impact department teams, the Philanthropy and Gift Planning, Marketing and Communications, and Operations teams, and the Office of the CEO.
Boundaries
The Program Associate is on the People Pathway team, which sits in the Community Impact Department and is tasked with developing core strategies for advancing SFF’s racial equity and economic inclusion goals.
Authority
The Program Associate reports to the Senior Director of the People Pathway. Under the direction of the Senior Director of People Pathway, the Program Associate will be tasked with both supporting and leading team and SFF-wide activities, including representing the People Pathway internally and in community.
Role
The People Pathway leads the Foundation’s efforts to expand economic prosperity for low-income BIPOC communities.
A successful Program Associate candidate has a basic understanding of the systemic causes of racial and economic inequity and has experience working to improve conditions for BIPOC people/communities.
The role of the Program Associate, is to support the Community Impact Department and the People Team in the development and implementation of strategic goals, support for work with donor and grantee stakeholders, including through grantmaking, representing SFF in community, collaborating with colleagues across the Foundation, and otherwise working to advance SFF’s racial equity and economic inclusion north star.
Tasks
- Build and sustain relationships with grantees, donors, and other key stakeholders
- Support portfolio of grantees to complete grant applications and conversational check-ins/grant reports
- Assess grantees and prospective applicants for programmatic alignment and fit
- Support the development and management of issue-based funds in collaboration with colleagues from across SFF, including co-developing and completing annual milestone(s)
- Serve as application lead and point of contact to assigned grantees, providing reliable and professional customer service to all stakeholders
- Provide critical analysis and evaluation of emerging issues
- Coordinate/conduct/support site visits, community meetings, and special convenings
- Participate in SFF working groups, committees, and represent SFF at community events
Competencies & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred; additional work experience, educational degrees and certificates will be considered
Experience:
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience. Relevant experience can include progressively responsible work experience in the public or non-profit sectors, as well as lived and volunteer experience
- Experience in applying a racial or economic equity frame in work environments
- Proven record of successfully working independently and collaboratively in teams is required
- Experience working with nonprofits and individual donors is preferred
- Understanding of Bay Area nonprofit and philanthropic communities is preferred
Skills and Competencies:
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and equity
- Active listening, oral and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Desire for continued growth and development
- Learns quickly in new environments
- Ability to engage with diverse staff and external stakeholders
- Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
- Intermediate to advanced computer/software skills, including Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, & Teams), Salesforce, and Zoom
- Familiarity with AI preferred
- Ability to learn, navigate and manage online platforms, including Fluxx, Qlik sense, and Smartsheet
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.
Compensation: The San Francisco Foundation offers a very competitive total compensation package including base compensation in alignment with our organizational budget size and rich medical and fringe benefits offerings. This position pays $45.71 per hour. You may read more about our compensation philosophy and benefits on the career page.
Remote Work Policy: The Foundation has adopted a long-term hybrid in-person and remote work policy. Dedicated to its employee health and safety, The Foundation will continue to make decisions in accordance with San Francisco County and California mandates. Employees must reside or plan to relocate to the Bay Area if hired.
Requesting Accommodations: The Foundation is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact hr@sff.org.
The San Francisco Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of diverse backgrounds to apply.
Program Associate, People Pathway
Location: San Francisco, CA
Department: Community Impact
Type: Regular, Full Time, Exempt
Min. Experience: Intermediate Level
The hourly compensation for this position in FY26 is: $ 45.71/hr.
The Program Associate supports the Community Impact Department’s relationships, strategy development, research, and communications functions. The Program Associate works closely with the People team, other Community Impact department teams, the Philanthropy and Gift Planning, Marketing and Communications, and Operations teams, and the Office of the CEO.
Boundaries
The Program Associate is on the People Pathway team, which sits in the Community Impact Department and is tasked with developing core strategies for advancing SFF’s racial equity and economic inclusion goals.
Authority
The Program Associate reports to the Senior Director of the People Pathway. Under the direction of the Senior Director of People Pathway, the Program Associate will be tasked with both supporting and leading team and SFF-wide activities, including representing the People Pathway internally and in community.
Role
The People Pathway leads the Foundation’s efforts to expand economic prosperity for low-income BIPOC communities.
A successful Program Associate candidate has a basic understanding of the systemic causes of racial and economic inequity and has experience working to improve conditions for BIPOC people/communities.
The role of the Program Associate, is to support the Community Impact Department and the People Team in the development and implementation of strategic goals, support for work with donor and grantee stakeholders, including through grantmaking, representing SFF in community, collaborating with colleagues across the Foundation, and otherwise working to advance SFF’s racial equity and economic inclusion north star.
Tasks
- Build and sustain relationships with grantees, donors, and other key stakeholders
- Support portfolio of grantees to complete grant applications and conversational check-ins/grant reports
- Assess grantees and prospective applicants for programmatic alignment and fit
- Support the development and management of issue-based funds in collaboration with colleagues from across SFF, including co-developing and completing annual milestone(s)
- Serve as application lead and point of contact to assigned grantees, providing reliable and professional customer service to all stakeholders
- Provide critical analysis and evaluation of emerging issues
- Coordinate/conduct/support site visits, community meetings, and special convenings
- Participate in SFF working groups, committees, and represent SFF at community events
Competencies & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred; additional work experience, educational degrees and certificates will be considered
Experience:
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience. Relevant experience can include progressively responsible work experience in the public or non-profit sectors, as well as lived and volunteer experience
- Experience in applying a racial or economic equity frame in work environments
- Proven record of successfully working independently and collaboratively in teams is required
- Experience working with nonprofits and individual donors is preferred
- Understanding of Bay Area nonprofit and philanthropic communities is preferred
Skills and Competencies:
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and equity
- Active listening, oral and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Desire for continued growth and development
- Learns quickly in new environments
- Ability to engage with diverse staff and external stakeholders
- Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
- Intermediate to advanced computer/software skills, including Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, & Teams), Salesforce, and Zoom
- Familiarity with AI preferred
- Ability to learn, navigate and manage online platforms, including Fluxx, Qlik sense, and Smartsheet
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.
Compensation: The San Francisco Foundation offers a very competitive total compensation package including base compensation in alignment with our organizational budget size and rich medical and fringe benefits offerings. This position pays $45.71 per hour. You may read more about our compensation philosophy and benefits on the career page.
Remote Work Policy: The Foundation has adopted a long-term hybrid in-person and remote work policy. Dedicated to its employee health and safety, The Foundation will continue to make decisions in accordance with San Francisco County and California mandates. Employees must reside or plan to relocate to the Bay Area if hired.
Requesting Accommodations: The Foundation is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact hr@sff.org.
The San Francisco Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of diverse backgrounds to apply.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Program Associate
Target mission-driven organizations with H-1B track records
Nonprofits, think tanks, and international development organizations regularly sponsor Program Associates. These employers are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without entering the annual lottery, which speeds up your timeline considerably.
Frame your degree as directly tied to the program area
H-1B approval for Program Associate roles depends on showing your degree matches the program's subject matter. A public health role requires a relevant degree like public health or epidemiology, not just any bachelor's. Generic degrees raise scrutiny during USCIS adjudication.
Raise sponsorship early, not at the offer stage
Many Program Associate hiring managers at nonprofits and research institutions have sponsored before. Asking whether they've sponsored H-1B holders in similar roles before your final interview avoids surprises and signals that you've done your homework on the process.
Highlight program management experience, not just subject expertise
USCIS scrutinizes whether Program Associate duties require a specific degree. Emphasizing grant reporting, stakeholder coordination, and data analysis strengthens the specialty occupation argument, since these tasks map more directly to a defined academic discipline than general program support.
Understand the cap-exempt advantage if applying to universities or hospitals
Universities, affiliated research centers, and nonprofit hospitals are cap-exempt H-1B employers. If you're applying to Program Associate roles at these institutions, your employer can petition at any time of year without waiting for the April lottery window.
OPT STEM extensions don't apply to most Program Associate roles
Program Associate positions in policy, communications, or social sectors typically don't qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. If your OPT is running out, prioritize employers who can file an H-1B change of status petition before your authorized period ends.
Program Associate jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Program Associate JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Program Associate jobs commonly come with visa sponsorship?
Yes, particularly at nonprofits, international NGOs, research institutions, and universities, which regularly sponsor H-1B visas for Program Associates. For-profit consulting firms also sponsor, though less consistently. The strongest sponsorship track records are at cap-exempt employers like universities and hospital-affiliated research centers, where there's no lottery and petitions can be filed any time. Browse current openings with confirmed sponsorship on Migrate Mate.
What visa category covers Program Associate roles?
H-1B is the primary work visa for Program Associate positions. To qualify, the role must be classified as a specialty occupation, meaning it requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field directly related to the job. Roles in public health, international development, social policy, or research analysis typically satisfy this standard. Some positions at qualifying international organizations may also be eligible for G-4 or other organization-specific statuses.
Does my degree field need to match the program area to get sponsored?
For H-1B purposes, yes. USCIS requires that your degree is in a field directly related to the job's duties, not just any bachelor's degree. A Program Associate at a public health organization typically needs a degree in public health, epidemiology, or a closely related field. A degree in unrelated fields like fine arts or general business is unlikely to support the specialty occupation requirement for most program-focused roles.
Are Program Associate roles at nonprofits easier to get sponsored at than at for-profits?
In one specific way, yes. Nonprofits that qualify as cap-exempt employers, including universities, government research affiliates, and nonprofit hospitals, can file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery cap. This means no waiting until April and no risk of not being selected. However, cap-exempt status depends on the organization's classification, not the job title itself. General nonprofits that don't meet the cap-exempt criteria still go through the standard lottery.
I'm on OPT and my Program Associate job offer just came through. What should happen next?
Your employer needs to file an H-1B petition before your OPT expires. If you're at a cap-subject employer, this typically means filing during the April registration window for an October 1 start date. If you're at a cap-exempt employer, they can file at any time and you can begin work once USCIS approves the petition. Make sure your employer starts the Labor Condition Application process at least 60 days before your OPT end date to avoid gaps in work authorization.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Program Associate jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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