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Program Officer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

Our work includes public-private projects and programs in the areas of innovation, access to ... The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular's senior internal leader and ...

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

Our work includes public-private projects and programs in the areas of innovation, access to ... The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular's senior internal leader and ...

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

Our work includes public-private projects and programs in the areas of innovation, access to ... The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular's senior internal leader and ...

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All JobsProgram Officer JobsProgram Officer Jobs in California

Program Officer information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$99K

$153.5K

How much do program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for program officer in California is $99,050.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,600.00 and $130,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Program Officer typically collaborate with stakeholders to ensure program success?

Program Officers work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including grantees, partner organizations, internal teams, and sometimes beneficiaries. Regular communication and relationship-building are crucial to understanding needs, monitoring progress, and addressing challenges as they arise. Program Officers often facilitate meetings, coordinate reporting, and provide technical assistance to ensure that all parties are aligned on program objectives and deliverables. This collaborative approach not only supports the successful implementation of programs but also fosters a learning environment for continuous improvement.

What are the duties of a program officer?

A program officer manages and oversees specific projects or programs within an organization, ensuring they meet goals, stay within budget, and comply with policies. They coordinate with stakeholders, evaluate program effectiveness, and prepare reports. Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills are essential for this role.

What do program officers do?

Program officers manage and oversee specific projects or initiatives within organizations, often in nonprofit, government, or grant-making sectors. They develop program goals, evaluate proposals, coordinate activities, and ensure objectives are met, frequently using project management skills and industry knowledge.

What Is a Program Officer?

A program officer works for a non-profit organization or foundation to oversee the development of programs and learning activities and seek out grants to fund these programs. In this job, you oversee projects, manage budgets, and develop proposals to grantees as some of your duties. You need experience aligning these programs with the overall mission of the foundation or non-profit. Throughout your career, you work with a variety of people and organizations. Important qualifications include strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively.

What are Program Officers?

Program Officers are professionals who manage and oversee specific projects or programs within an organization, often in the nonprofit, government, or philanthropic sectors. Their responsibilities typically include developing program goals, monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, managing budgets, and serving as liaisons between stakeholders. They ensure that programs align with organizational objectives and have a meaningful impact. Program Officers also help with grant management and reporting, and often work closely with partners, grantees, or community members to achieve project success.

Do you need a degree to work for an NGO?

Program Officer roles at NGOs typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, development, or public administration. However, some positions may accept extensive experience or specialized skills in lieu of a degree. Relevant experience, strong communication skills, and knowledge of the organization's focus area are also important for hiring decisions.

What is the difference between Program Officer vs Project Coordinator?

AspectProgram OfficerProject Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often a master's in a related fieldBachelor's degree; relevant certifications optional
Work EnvironmentNonprofit, government, or international organizations managing multiple projectsProject-specific tasks within organizations, supporting project execution
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in NGOs, government agencies, and foundationsCommon in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors

While both roles involve managing projects, a Program Officer oversees multiple projects or programs, focusing on strategic goals and stakeholder engagement. A Project Coordinator handles specific project tasks, ensuring timely execution. The Program Officer's role is broader and more strategic, whereas the Project Coordinator's role is more operational and task-focused.

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

To thrive as a Program Officer, you need strong project management, analytical, and grant-writing skills, usually supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with program evaluation tools, budgeting software, and donor management systems is often required. Exceptional communication, organizational abilities, and stakeholder engagement are key soft skills that distinguish top candidates. These skills are critical for effectively designing, implementing, and monitoring programs that meet organizational goals and deliver meaningful impact.

What is the highest paying job in a non-profit?

In the non-profit sector, executive roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Executive Director tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures depending on the organization's size and budget. Other high-paying positions include Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and development directors with extensive experience and advanced degrees, especially in large or well-funded organizations.
More about Program Officer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program Officer jobs in California? The most popular types of Program Officer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Program Officer jobs in California? For Program Officer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Officer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Program Officer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Program Officer jobs? Cities in California with the most Program Officer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Program Officer jobs in CA? For Program Officer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Program Officer jobs near you
Chief Program Oversight Officer (CPOO)

Chief Program Oversight Officer (CPOO)

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$90K/yr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

This position is located in the Veterans Benefits Administration, in Education Service (EDU). EDU has departmentwide responsibility administering VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Servicemembers, Veterans, and dependents. EDU assists to cover the cost of furthering education and skills through benefits for tuition, housing, training, and other expenses related to education; EDU also aids Veterans transition.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 07/07/2026
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.
The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify at the GS-13 Grade Level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher. Specialized experience must document knowledge of GI Bill programs and State Approval Agency portfolios and the execution of supervision under this program. Conducting intrinsic oversight and evaluation of these programs to mitigate programmatic and operational impacts and interpret and analyze data to develop reports expressing program evaluation and providing recommendations to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the program to achieve the mission of safeguarding the integrity of the GI Bill.
Education Substitution: Applicants may not substitute education for the experience at the GS-13 level.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, stooping and carrying of lightweight items (i.e. folders, claims files). This position requires mental rather than physical exertion.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/Education:There is no educational substitution for the GS-13 level.Employment Type: OTHER

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