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Program Development Specialist information

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$36.5K

$102.7K

$115.5K

How much do program development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for program development specialist in the United States is $102,738.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,000.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Program Development Specialist collaborate with other departments to ensure successful program implementation?

Program Development Specialists frequently work cross-functionally with teams such as marketing, finance, and operations to align program objectives and resources. They often facilitate meetings, gather feedback, and coordinate project timelines to ensure all stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the development process. Effective collaboration helps to identify potential challenges early and leverage the expertise of various departments, resulting in smoother program rollouts and better outcomes. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for fostering these interdepartmental relationships.

What does a Program Development Specialist do?

A Program Development Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs within an organization. They assess needs, develop program plans, coordinate resources, and monitor progress to ensure objectives are met. Their work often involves collaborating with stakeholders, analyzing data, and making recommendations for program improvement. This role is common in educational, nonprofit, and governmental organizations and requires strong organizational and communication skills.

What is the difference between Program Development Specialist vs Program Coordinator?

AspectProgram Development SpecialistProgram Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in related field, certifications in program management or development often preferredBachelor's degree, experience in administrative or program support roles
Work EnvironmentDesigning, planning, and developing programs, often in office settings or project sitesOverseeing program logistics, coordinating activities, and supporting implementation
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, government agencies, educational institutionsNonprofits, government, healthcare, educational institutions
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in program creation and developmentLearning about program support and coordination tasks

The Program Development Specialist focuses on designing and developing new programs, requiring strategic planning skills and relevant certifications. In contrast, the Program Coordinator handles the day-to-day logistics and support for existing programs. Both roles are vital in program management but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Program Development Specialist, you need expertise in program design, project management, and data analysis, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree and experience in program evaluation. Familiarity with project management software (like Asana or Trello), data analysis tools (such as Excel or SPSS), and sometimes certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) are commonly required. Strong communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams set top professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure effective development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs to meet organizational goals.
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What cities are hiring for Program Development Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Program Development Specialist job openings:
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Program Development Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Development Specialist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,738 per year, or $49.4 per hour.
Program Development Specialist

Program Development Specialist

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Culver City, CA

$77K - $89K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Program Development Specialist

This is a hybrid position based in Culver City, CA. You have the option to elect into a 9/80 flex work schedule.

The pay range for this role is between $77,583-$89,220 annually.

Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch.

About Didi Hirsch  

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch’s work possible. 

Summary

As the Program Development Specialist (internally referred to as Clinical Program Development Specialist), you will design, implement, and evaluate mental health, suicide prevention, substance use, and other clinical programs across the agency. Reporting to the Program Development Manager, you will advance agency-wide initiatives that strengthen service delivery, promote health equity, and integrate data-driven decision-making into program design and oversight.

Primary Duties

  • Responsible for and in collaboration with the Program Development Manager, projects to strategically evaluate, enhance, scale, and design programs across Divisions including Whole Person Care and Suicide Prevention Center.
  • Apply advanced analytical methods to internal and external data to identify service gaps, inform strategies, and monitor progress toward goals.
  • Conduct literature reviews, landscape scans, and analysis of internal trends to support decision-making.
  • Collaborate with the Grants team and program leadership to ensure program deliverables and budgets are realistic and achieved, and to assess feasibility of proposed projects.
  • Prepare internal and external reports, presentations, and summaries to communicate progress.
  • Assist with drafting and revising grant applications, funder reports, and other external-facing communications in collaboration with the Grants Team
  • Pursue input and feedback from teams to inform program implementation, and recommend adaptations based on practical experience and emerging needs.
  • Exercise professional judgement in identify areas of need and develop clinical training materials and written guidelines for staff.
  • Partner with program leadership and direct care providers to implement new initiatives, including drafting clinical workflows, policies and procedures, and consulting with other Departments to ensure compliance and data integration.
  • Oversee and align cross-departmental project timelines to ensure effective implementation of concurrent initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the Program Development Manager to draft logic models, evaluation frameworks, and implementation plans to guide program rollout and improvement.
  • Contribute substantively to project management and strategic planning efforts that support high-quality and sustainable program development.

Position Requirements

  • Master’s or Doctoral degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, or related field.
  • Licensed or license-eligible/unlicensed mental health clinician preferred (e.g., LCSW/ASW, LMFT/AMFT, LPCC/APCC, Psychologist).
  • Understanding of behavioral health systems, clinical workflows, and evidence-based practices.
  • Demonstrated experience in program development, research, evaluation, or systems-level planning, ideally in a behavioral health or public health setting. Experience may be project-based.
  • Experience working with program data or evaluation tools. For example, analyzing trends, interpreting data dashboards, or assessing outcomes using programs like Excel or Power BI. Commitment to learning new statistical or evaluation methods of quantitative data with the support of the Program Development Manager.
  • Strong time management, organizational, and project coordination skills, with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
  • Strong project management skills with enthusiasm for using data to drive change in mental health services.
  • Team-oriented, with the ability to work across disciplines and departments.
  • Demonstrated interest in learning new skills and taking on unfamiliar tasks with initiative.
  • Strong writing skills, including the ability to craft clear and compelling program narratives tailored to different audiences.
  • Familiarity with, or interest in learning, modern digital tools for communication and data analysis (e.g., ChatGPT, Canva, Alchemer, Excel).
  • Awareness of structural barriers to care and a commitment to designing inclusive, accessible, culturally responsive services.
  • Coursework, certifications, or experience in data analysis, quality improvement, learning science, or project management is a plus.
Our Vision

A future where everyone has equitable access to care and is empowered to achieve optimal mental health and well-being.

Our Mission

Didi Hirsch provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice limit access.

Core Values

Excellence: We are constantly innovating, learning from the communities we serve, and applying the latest research to advance best practices. We uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure we are providing compassionate and excellent care. 

Diversity & Inclusion: We value diversity of background, experience, and ideas. We celebrate differences and prioritize creating a sense of belonging. 

Equity: We are dedicated to promoting health equity in our communities, and we work to dismantle disparities and discrimination within both systems of care and society. 

Well Being: We are devoted to the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and communities, and believe healthy teams lead to healthy clients. 

Advocacy: We advocate across all levels of government and use our voice to reduce barriers to care with the goal of access to high quality, integrated healthcare for all. 

Community Engagement: We build partnerships in the community and across sectors to create a more inclusive and responsive mental health ecosystem and enhance greater accessibility to care and support. 

#LI-LR1 #LI-Hybrid

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