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Program Associate Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

sylvamo

GSA - Facility Buyer - Eastover

Eastover, SC · On-site

Position Overview Sylvamo's Global Sourcing Associate Program is an entry-level program with a Procurement Operations focus. It is designed to give associates exposure to Sylvamo's procurement ...

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Program Associate information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$20.4K

$42.8K

$73.9K

How much do program associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for program associate in Columbia, SC is $42,754.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,700.00 and $48,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Program Associate, you need strong organizational abilities, project coordination experience, and typically a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with project management software, CRM systems, and data analysis tools is often required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and teamwork skills help Program Associates stand out. These abilities ensure efficient program execution, smooth stakeholder collaboration, and achievement of organizational goals.

What are some of the typical challenges a program associate might face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Program Associates often juggle several projects at once, each with its own deadlines, stakeholders, and reporting requirements. Balancing competing priorities while ensuring that every project receives adequate attention can be challenging. Effective time management, clear communication with team members, and proactive problem-solving are essential for success in this role. Regular check-ins with supervisors and utilizing project management tools can also help Program Associates stay organized and meet expectations.

What is a program associate?

A program associate fills a variety of roles in nonprofits and professional associations, including that of office administrator, project manager, and strategic planner. In this career, you often work to sustain your organization by managing donor programs, fundraising, and enlisting support from a corporation or government agencies. Depending on your role and the organization, your job duties may include creating plans and budgets, tracking membership or partnerships, calculating donations or other expenditures, developing program literature, and researching or analyzing data. You need to plan and execute events seamlessly, so organizational skills are vital. Common qualifications for a program associate include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

More about Program Associate jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Columbia, SC? The most popular types of Program jobs in Columbia, SC are:
What are popular job titles related to Program Associate jobs in Columbia, SC? For Program Associate jobs in Columbia, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Associate jobs in Columbia, SC look for? The top searched job categories for Program Associate jobs in Columbia, SC are:
What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Program Associate jobs? Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Program Associate job openings:
Program Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Associate job openings in Columbia, SC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,754 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Senior Program Associate & Facilitator

Impact Justice

Columbia, SC

$34.68/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

About Impact Justice
Impact Justice advances safety, justice, and opportunity through boundary-breaking work that honors and empowers people and is changing expectations about what we can accomplish together. We imagine, build, and scale innovations, leverage research and other knowledge to connect the desire for change with informed action, and work to shift the narrative so that decision-makers and the public understand what's at stake and what's possible. 

About the Growing Justice program
Growing Justice is a first-of-its-kind reentry and workforce development program, blending vertical farming and classroom instruction with intensive reentry and job readiness support. Through partnerships with AmplifiedAg, Skout Strategy, and Agritecture, women at Camille G. Graham Correctional Institution (CGGCI) gain hands-on training, employment preparation, and wraparound support that positions them for success post-release.

Inspired by Impact Justice's 2020 series Eating Behind Bars, which documented the unhealthy and degrading quality of prison food nationwide, Growing Justice also reimagines food justice inside correctional facilities. Beginning in the Fall of 2025, AmplifiedAg established a vertical farm on the grounds of CGGCI that will produce an estimated 48,000 pounds of nutrient-rich leafy greens each year for residents, while serving as a living classroom where participants build marketable skills and pathways to sustainable careers.
In addition to the South Carolina site at CGGCI, Growing Justice launched two additional sites in 2025: one at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, CA, and another inside Impact Justice's office building in downtown Oakland, CA. Together, these sites expand the reach of Growing Justice, advancing food justice, workforce readiness, and reentry pathways nationwide.
You are passionate about supporting women impacted by incarceration and believe in the power of education, workforce development, and second chances. You are energized by helping people learn, grow, and achieve goals while also building relationships that strengthen programs, communities, and equitable access to opportunity.
You are equally comfortable facilitating a group discussion, coordinating logistics, meeting with community partners, or representing a program at a networking event. You take initiative, communicate proactively, and can work independently while remaining highly collaborative.
You thrive in dynamic environments where no two days look exactly alike. You enjoy identifying opportunities, connecting people and resources, and finding creative solutions to challenges.
You are also: 
  • An engaging facilitator who creates meaningful learning experiences for adult learners.
  • Comfortable working in correctional settings, building trusted relationships with participants, facility staff, and community partners.
  • Highly organized, adaptable, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Collaborative and resourceful, proactively building relationships and coordinating volunteers, guest speakers, and other engagement opportunities.
That said, we know there are great candidates who may not think they fit into what we've described above or who have important skills we haven't thought of. If that is you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself! We welcome all applicants, including formerly incarcerated individuals, those with family members that have been incarcerated, and persons with direct criminal or juvenile legal system experience. 
The anticipated start date for this position is late July or early August 2026. You will report to the Senior Program Manager. You'll be the owner of day-to-day program delivery and participant engagement at Camille G. Graham Correctional Institution, helping ensure strong learning experiences, effective program operations, and successful participant outcomes, and your core responsibilities will be:

  • FACILITATE PARTICIPANT LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT - You will lead engaging classroom and experiential learning opportunities that help participants build technical, workforce, and professional development skills. This includes facilitating classroom instruction and on-the-job training experiences, reinforcing technical skills and professional behaviors, preparing learning materials, fostering participant engagement and accountability, monitoring progress, and helping participants successfully complete the program.
  • LEAD DAY-TO-DAY PROGRAM DELIVERY AT THE SITE - You will serve as the primary onsite representative for Growing Justice, helping ensure smooth program operations and a positive participant experience. This includes coordinating cohort recruitment and interviews, supporting orientation activities, maintaining communication with facility staff, addressing operational challenges, and supporting participant success throughout the program lifecycle.
  • BUILD AND MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS - You will cultivate productive relationships with facility staff, participants, community partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders that strengthen program delivery and participant outcomes. You will serve as a trusted point of contact and ambassador for Growing Justice and Impact Justice.
  • COORDINATE PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES - You will support the systems and processes that keep the program running effectively. This includes maintaining required program tracking and documentation, supporting participant accountability, coordinating guest speakers and special events, and helping ensure compliance with program requirements and expectations.
  • SUPPORT PROGRAM GROWTH AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - You will identify opportunities to strengthen participant experiences, improve program operations, and enhance overall program effectiveness. You will contribute ideas, share lessons learned, participate in planning efforts, and support the continued growth and evolution of Growing Justice.

Required Qualifications 
  1. Four years of professional training, education, and/or closely related experience, plus at least four years of experience independently managing program activities, work deliverables, training delivery, facilitation, or participant-centered programming.
  2. Demonstrated experience facilitating training, workshops, educational programs, or other group learning experiences.
  3. Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with experience working collaboratively with participants, colleagues, community partners, and external stakeholders.
  4. Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex activities, solve problems, and execute projects with limited supervision.
  5. Ability to obtain and maintain clearance to work within a correctional facility and commitment to advancing opportunities for individuals impacted by the justice system.
Preferred Qualifications
  1. Familiarity with agriculture, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), urban farming, community gardening, food systems, sustainability, food access, food justice, or related fields.
  2. Experience working in correctional, nonprofit, educational, workforce development, or community-based settings.
  3. Experience coordinating community partnerships, participant recruitment, interviews, volunteers, guest speakers, or stakeholder engagement activities
Consistent with our compensation philosophy, our starting salaries are established to represent strong compensation in the marketplace and to maintain internal equity. This is a part-time, hourly position at 30-hour/week. The starting salary is fixed at $34.68/hour with annual increases defined by the current collective bargaining agreement. This is a bargaining unit position with Impact Justice United represented by OPEIU International. The benefits that come with working at Impact Justice include medical, dental, and FSA plans, significant vacation and wellness leave, and immediate vesting in our 401K with a generous match. 

The candidate should be located in or near the Columbia, South Carolina area and will work under a hybrid schedule that combines remote work with regular onsite work at Camille G. Graham Correctional Institution. This position requires regular onsite presence (typically 3-5 partial days per week) to facilitate programming, provide on-the-job training (OJT) and participant support, maintain relationships with facility staff, and oversee day-to-day program operations.

If this all sounds like a good fit for you, please include your resume and a cover letter explaining: 1) your interest in the role, 2) your experience facilitating training or participant-centered programming, and 3) why you believe you would be successful supporting women impacted by incarceration through the Growing Justice program. 

Please note that applications without cover letters may be rejected. 

We plan on making decisions on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply the better.  
 
Hiring Process 
Elements of the Impact Justice hiring process may include phone screen interviews, candidate exercises (written or presentations), Zoom interviews, in-person interviews, and reference checks. Candidates are welcome to ask for alternative arrangements in the process if needed (for example, conducting an interview via phone rather than Zoom), Impact Justice will do our best to accommodate reasonable requests. Please communicate any alternative arrangements requested to the hiring manager.

Equal Opportunity Employment
Impact Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, criminal history, or disability. 

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