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Program Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Public Consulting Group

Program Assistant

Chula Vista, CA

$38K - $49K/yr

Assessments and Feasibility Studies PCG is seeking a highly motivated and dependable Child Care Program Assistant to perform the day-to-day operations involved in our San Diego, California, CalWORKs ...

Public Consulting Group

Program Assistant

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$38K - $49K/yr

Assessments and Feasibility Studies PCG is seeking a highly motivated and dependable Child Care Program Assistant to perform the day-to-day operations involved in our San Diego, California, CalWORKs ...

First Place for Youth

ILSP Program Assistant

Oakland, CA · On-site

$25.91 - $30.48/hr

The Program Assistant will ensure compliance with the County of San Francisco on reporting and eligibility requirements of county foster care youth. The Program Assistant ensures all office ...

Ravh-IT, Inc

Program Assistant: I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$39K - $50K/yr

Program Assistant: I Location 8326 Century Park Court San Diego CA USA 92123 Support daily operations of assigned programs. Maintain program documentation and records. Coordinate meetings and prepare ...

Salvation Army

Program Assistant - JMC

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$43K - $55K/yr

OVERVIEW: The Program Assistant assists in providing our clients with a safe environment so they can begin addressing aspects of their lives in a peaceful setting. The Program Assistant is a ...

Salvation Army

Program Assistant - On Call

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$44K - $56K/yr

The Program Assistant assists in providing our clients a safe environment so they can begin addressing aspects of their lives in a peaceful setting. The Program Assistant is a frontline worker ...

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Program Assistant information

See California salary details

$21.2K

$45.1K

$62.2K

How much do program assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for program assistant in California is $45,123.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,000.00 and $46,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a Program Assistant might face when supporting multiple projects simultaneously?

Program Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities across various projects, which can make prioritization and time management challenging. Balancing competing deadlines, handling last-minute changes, and coordinating with diverse team members require strong organizational skills and adaptability. Successful Program Assistants proactively communicate with supervisors and colleagues, use digital tools to track tasks, and remain flexible to shifting priorities. Developing these habits helps ensure projects run smoothly and supports overall team effectiveness.

What Does a Program Assistant Do?

A program assistant provides administrative support for a program office, such as an academic department or a unit of a non-profit. As a program assistant, your job duties may include scheduling travel, coordinating logistical issues for executives or other team members, filing, and performing other clerical tasks as needed. To become a program assistant, you typically need at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and administrative work experience. Some employers may also require a college degree. Additional qualifications include strong multi-tasking, organizational, and communication skills, along with computer proficiency.

What does a Program Assistant do?

A Program Assistant provides administrative and organizational support to program managers and teams within an organization. Their responsibilities often include scheduling meetings, maintaining records, coordinating events, handling correspondence, and assisting with project logistics. Program Assistants play a vital role in ensuring that programs run smoothly by managing day-to-day tasks and supporting communication among team members. They may also help with data entry, preparing reports, and liaising with clients or participants. The specific duties can vary depending on the organization and the type of program they support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in administrative tasks, typically supported by a high school diploma or associate degree. Familiarity with office software like Microsoft Office Suite, database management, and scheduling systems is commonly required. Excellent communication, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities help you effectively support program operations and interact with diverse stakeholders. These skills ensure smooth program administration, efficient workflow, and high-quality support for team goals.
More about Program Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in California? The most popular types of Program jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Program Assistant jobs? Cities in California with the most Program Assistant job openings:
Program Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Assistant job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,123 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Retreat Program Assistant

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center

Occidental, CA • On-site

$66K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Retreat Program Assistant
Preferred start: mid-November (or sooner)
Residential position (onsite housing)
The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) is an 80-acre demonstration, education, and advocacy center, and Fiscal Sponsor located in western Sonoma County, California. OAEC's work focuses on cultivating ecological literacy and building the capacity of civic and social movement leaders and organizations to guide their communities toward an ecologically regenerative, economically viable, and socially just future.
OAEC is in an exciting moment of program expansion as we celebrate our 32nd year of change-making, with expansions in our Resilient Communities Design Program, management of a large state-funded Beaver Coexistence Program through our WATER Institute, and growth in our Fiscally Sponsored Projects Program. This is a tremendous opportunity for a values-driven professional to join OAEC's passionate and dedicated staff.
Job Overview
The Retreat Program Assistant is a key position at OAEC, supporting environmental and social movement leaders in feeling at home when they come to OAEC for organizational retreats, trainings, or alliance meetings. The Retreat Program Assistant is supervised by the Retreat Program Manager and serves the Retreat Program through a combination of administrative and logistical support and hands-on retreat hosting. The Retreat Program Assistant also supports the team of hourly Retreat Hosts (primarily residential interns) throughout the retreats, especially when the Retreat Program Manager is not on site. In this capacity, they serve as the lead contact for groups and provide essential support to the hosting team.
Typical Schedule
While the Retreat Program Assistant will be paid a consistent salary, there are high and low working seasons due to the frequency of retreats, which varies throughout the year. Spring and fall are typically our busiest seasons. When retreat groups are on site, the Retreat Program Assistant typically works many of the weekend and weekday daytime shifts (9 am - 5 pm), as well as some overnight, early morning, and evening shifts.
In this salaried position, we are looking for someone to work an average of 40 hours/week. This means working up to 60 hours/week during busy retreat times, and working +/- 20 hours/week when there are no retreats on site. The Retreat Program Assistant will generally have many weeks' notice as to when they will have busier weeks. When we do not have retreats scheduled, the Retreat Program Assistant will support the Retreat Manager with administrative tasks and special projects.
Primary Responsibilities
  • Serve as the point person for groups staying at OAEC.
  • Complete standard hosting tasks, including but not limited to: greeting guests, orienting facilitators to the Meeting Hall, orienting groups to the guest housing and the land, updating inventory of supplies, tidying spaces used by retreat groups, making coffee/tea, monitoring the toast bar, restocking the kitchenette, supporting groups with A/V, setting up and tending the fire circle, and general support when the groups are on site.
  • Engage with the groups in a professional, service-oriented manner, being mindful and respectful of their needs, the cultural context of their home communities, and the work they are doing.
  • Attend to retreat groups' emergent needs and any changes to the plan, with support from the Retreat Program Manager.
  • Answer questions about OAEC policy that a group may ask and navigate challenging situations.
  • Follow OAEC's Emergency Action Plan when faced with emergencies/safety issues.
  • Work closely with the Retreat Program Manager to ensure the hosting calendar and shifts are filled.
  • Work closely with the Retreat Program Manager to train and support Retreat Hosts throughout the year. Training often takes place on Mondays and Fridays.
  • Communicate with OAEC's Beauty Way (housekeeping), Kitchen, Facilities, and Office staff to ensure smooth operations.
  • Provide ongoing review and feedback of the Retreat Program to continually improve and respond to guest input.
  • Assist the Retreat Program Manager with communicating information about upcoming retreats to the OAEC Staff and Residential Community. This includes writing up brief blurbs on visiting groups.
  • Welcome groups to OAEC, conduct facilitator orientations, lead site tours, and provide logistical welcome orientations.
  • Light housekeeping and food prep as needed in the Meeting Hall.

Retreat Program Assistant Qualifications
  • Ability to independently handle a wide range of problem-solving for both OAEC and our guests.
  • Experience in hospitality or customer service with proven reliability, professionalism, and grace.
  • Excitement in assisting the diverse groups of activists working for racial, social, and environmental justice who come to OAEC from all over the world.
  • Ability to work well alone and take initiative, and also work collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Ability and interest in being highly flexible with hours and work assignments throughout the year.
  • A valid driver's license & clean driving record.
  • Comfortable with responding to emergent needs, emergencies, and safety issues.

Organizational Participation
  • Participate in weekly Thursday morning OAEC staff meetings and serve on appropriate committees.
  • Participate in the annual Staff Performance Review process.
  • After 18 months on staff, lead occasional OAEC public and private tours.

About Living at OAEC
  • Housing: The Retreat Program Assistant is required to live on site at OAEC. They will pay $750/month in rent for a rustic, private, and free-standing cabin. Rent includes all utilities, firewood, and WiFi. The cabin is solar-powered and can be pre-furnished if desired. The cabin does not have running water or a kitchen. Read further about shared amenities, including a bathhouse and fully stocked kitchen.
  • Facilities: Residents share our site and common facilities, including gardens and orchards, wildlands and swimming pond, bathhouse, sauna and hot tub, well-stocked workshop, kitchen, and other aspects of community life.
  • Meals and Food System: All residents at OAEC/Sowing Circle, including this position, currently pay $375-$395/month (subject to change) into our Community Food System, allowing full access to the pantry stocked like a natural food store by OAEC's Kitchen team. All residents cook community dinners (for ~10-20 people) once or twice a month, and are otherwise invited to enjoy all community or OAEC-cooked meals. Produce is sourced largely from OAEC's renowned gardens, and other high-quality, locally sourced ingredients are available for personal meals. When there are no retreats scheduled, all residents participate in a cooking rotation, taking turns cooking dinner for the community each night. Breakfast and lunch are ad-hoc or on your own with full use of the kitchen and pantry ingredients. During OAEC retreats and courses, 3 meals a day are cooked by professional chefs. It should be noted that most residents are not vegetarians, and meat is served regularly during retreats.
  • Community Participation: This role will participate as a member of the residential community while at OAEC, sharing the land, meals, and facilities. All community members have collective responsibilities, including participation in scheduled cooking and cleaning (which are in addition to OAEC work hours). We celebrate non-sectarian diversity and are fully committed to maintaining a pluralistic, supportive, and honest working and living environment. In addition to the interns (5-6 annually), the resident community comprises approximately 16 people, aged in their 20s to their 70s. Please note: There are no regularly scheduled all-resident community meetings.

Compensation, Location, and Work Environment
  • The annual salary for the Retreat Program Assistant, at an average of 40 hours/week, is $66,836 annually.
  • OAEC offers a paid health and wellness benefit, currently set at 100% of the value of a Kaiser Permanente Silver HMO Plan for each employee. We intend to offer a full organizational health insurance plan for all salaried staff beginning in 2027 - this will replace the current health and wellness benefit.
  • OAEC offers generous family leave and disability leave, as well as an employee-only contribution 401(k) option and a cell phone plan stipend of $50/month.
  • OAEC offers generous paid time off: a total of 5 weeks and 3 days per year of vacation and floating holidays combined, as well as 10 paid sick days (plus an additional week for those with dependents).
  • All staff may enjoy the use of OAEC's beautiful facilities, including our swimming pond, hot tub and sauna, and wildlands. Staff are invited to harvest from the extraordinary array of organic produce, flowers, and fruit grown in our Mother Garden and orchards.
  • Staff may attend the various theater performances, small concerts, talks, and celebrations happening on site throughout the year. We welcome visits from family and friends.

How to Apply
  • Before applying, please spend some time looking at our website: www.oaec.org to learn about the site, the organization, and to understand what OAEC does in the world. See our Movement Building Retreats page to learn more about our Retreat Program. You might also look at our 2025 Annual Update, 30th Anniversary Timeline; check out some of our program pages; and watch a visual tour of our Retreat Center.
  • We are accepting applications until the position is filled. Early application is encouraged as applicant screenings will begin immediately. The Retreat Program Assistant start date is flexible, but our strong preference is for mid-November 2026, or sooner.
  • OAEC actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. OAEC does not discriminate based on an individual's race, sex, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or on any other basis prohibited by law.

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