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Program Development Specialist Jobs in California

Infant Development Specialist

Tracy, CA · On-site

$21.41 - $32.11/hr

They support the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst's program for children ranging in age zero to three years old. The Infant Development Specialist moves with their group of children ...

Infant Development Specialist

Elk Grove, CA · On-site

$21.41 - $32.11/hr

They support the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst's program for children ranging in age zero to three years old. The Infant Development Specialist moves with their group of children ...

Infant Development Specialist

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$21.41 - $32.11/hr

They support the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst's program for children ranging in age zero to three years old. The Infant Development Specialist moves with their group of children ...

They support the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst's program for children ranging in age zero to three years old. The Infant Development Specialist moves with their group of children ...

Infant Development Specialist

Elk Grove, CA · On-site

$21.41 - $32.11/hr

They support the individual planning and implementation of Catalyst's program for children ranging in age zero to three years old. The Infant Development Specialist moves with their group of children ...

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Program Development Specialist information

See California salary details

$36K

$101.4K

$114K

How much do program development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for program development specialist in California is $101,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,500.00 and $112,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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 popular job titles related to Program Development Specialist jobs in California?

For Program Development Specialist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Program Development Specialist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Development Specialist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Program Development Specialist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Program Development Specialist job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Program Development Specialist jobs in CA?

For Program Development Specialist jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Program Development Specialist job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,393 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

Senior Payment Integrity Program Development Specialist

Rancho Cucamonga, CA • On-site

Inland Empire Health Plan
Insurance Services • 1 - 5K employees

$80K - $106K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Research, analyze, and develop Payment Integrity initiatives to improve payment accuracy and reduce overpayments.

  • Evaluate claims data, determine financial impact and feasibility of concepts, and partner with relevant teams to implement findings.

  • Assess and enhance existing audit programs and develop cost avoidance strategies to improve fraud, waste, and abuse detection.


Inland Empire Health Plan rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

272nd of 315 rated insurance


Job description

Overview
What you can expect!
Find joy in serving others with IEHP! We welcome you to join us in "healing and inspiring the human spirit" and to pivot from a "job" opportunity to an authentic experience!
Reporting to the Manager of Payment Integrity Program Development, the Senior Payment Integrity Program Development Specialist services as a subject matter expert driving the research, analysis, and development of Payment Integrity initiatives that strengthen payment accuracy, reduce overpayments, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance. This role evaluates medical cost trends, claims patterns, and industry developments to create and manage a robust backlog of audit concepts and vendor-based solutions. This position determines concept feasibility and financial impact, refines, and documents logic, and partners with Clinical, Policy, and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to transform findings into actionable outcomes. This Senior Payment Integrity Program Development Specialist also assesses existing pre and post payment audit programs to enhance fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) detection, while guiding cost avoidance improvements across Payment Integrity operations.
Commitment to Quality: The IEHP Team is committed to incorporate IEHP's Quality Program goals including, but not limited to, HEDIS, CAHPS, and NCQA Accreditation.
Additional Benefits
Perks
IEHP is not only committed to healing and inspiring the human spirit of our Members, but we also aim to match our team members with the same energy by providing prime benefits and more.
  • Competitive salary
  • State of the art fitness center on-site
  • Medical Insurance with Dental and Vision
  • Life, short-term, and long-term disability options
  • Career advancement opportunities and professional development
  • Wellness programs that promote a healthy work-life balance
  • Flexible Spending Account - Health Care/Childcare
  • CalPERS retirement
  • 457(b) option with a contribution match
  • Paid life insurance for employees
  • Pet care insurance

Key Responsibilities
  1. Conduct proactive research using medical cost data, claims trends, CMS/OIG updates, and industry changes to identify new Payment Integrity concept opportunities.
  2. Analyze complex claims data sets to detect irregularities, validate assumptions, and support high impact concept development using tools such as SQL or Excel.
  3. Determine financial impact, feasibility, and compliance alignment for proposed concepts, ensuring adherence to regulatory and contractual requirements.
  4. Build, maintain, and prioritize a backlog of potential initiatives based on projected savings, operational effort, and compliance risk.
  5. Develop and refine concept logic, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and readiness for production deployment.
  6. Partner with Clinical teams, Policy, and SIU to validate findings, strengthen recommendations, and support cross functional implementation.
  7. Assess and improve existing pre and post payment vendor audit programs, identifying opportunities to enhance FWA detection and prevention.
  8. Lead the development of cost avoidance strategies and solutions that optimize pre payment editing and reduce claim inaccuracies.
  9. Coordinate with external vendors to evaluate concepts, review performance results, and support ongoing program optimization.
  10. Prepare and present comprehensive analytical findings, financial impact assessments, and concept recommendations to leadership.
  11. Document claims coding (ICD 10, CPT, DRG) processes, reimbursement methodologies, and industry payment policies to support accurate concept design.
  12. Perform any other duties as required to ensure Health Plan operations and department business needs are successful.

Qualifications
Education & Requirements
  • Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience required
  • Experience creating concept logic, tracking performance, and working with external vendors required
  • Experience with SQL or data mining. Experience in complex claims analytics and trend evaluation
  • Bachelor's degree in business, health administration, or a related field from an accredited institution required
  • In lieu of the required degree, a minimum of four (4) years of additional relevant work experience is required for this position
  • This experience is in addition to the minimum years listed in the Experience Requirements above.
  • Certification in RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIC or similar certification preferred

Key Qualifications
  • Strong knowledge and deep understanding of:
    • The claims lifecycle, including coding (ICD-10, CPT, DRG) and reimbursement policies (NCCI, correct coding, modifiers, medical necessity, frequency limits, RBRVS, etc.)
    • Managed Medi-Cal policies, DHCS updates, CMS guidelines
    • Provider billing practices and common coding/bundling issues
    • Payment methodologies and share of cost (Medi-Cal Rates, APR-DRG, Per diem, contractual percent of charge)
    • Query logic development from contracts, provider manuals and billing and coding sources
    • False positive identification and root cause analysis of query logic to identify and remediate errors in configuration
    • Claims adjudication platforms and data file layouts
  • Strong skills in SQL and Microsoft Excel
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Proven ability to:
    • Analyze complex data sets for claims irregularities using tools like SQL or Excel
    • Move from data insights to create and implement logic for concept development
    • Manage competing priorities

Start your journey towards a thriving future with IEHP and apply TODAY!
Work Model Location
This position is on a hybrid work schedule. (Mon & Fri - remote, Tues - Thurs onsite in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.)
Pay Range
USD $80,059.20 - USD $106,059.20 /Yr.

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