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Program Specialist Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

The Program Specialist will work closely with Program Management and staff to provide leadership on required program systems, policies, and procedures, assuring the completion of outcomes, including ...

As a Training Program Specialist work directly with production teams to evaluate external training programs, assess workforce skill gaps, and build structured training plans across manufacturing ...

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Program Specialist information

See Connecticut salary details

$29K

$63.8K

$108.4K

How much do program specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for program specialist in Connecticut is $63,809.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,600.00 and $75,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program specialist?

A program specialist is responsible for the coordination of all programming efforts for an organization. As a program specialist, your job duties are to oversee project development, team planning, organizational goals, and each budget for all programs. Your responsibilities include allocating resources and maintaining documentation to track deliverables, monitor progress, and evaluate the success of ongoing programs. You report to the program director and assist with the training and evaluation of staff and volunteers involved in your company's programs. In this career, you can work in many different industries such as education, healthcare, marketing, government, and nonprofit organizations.

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

To thrive as a Program Specialist, you need strong project management abilities, analytical skills, and typically a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as public administration or business. Familiarity with data analysis tools, project management software (like MS Project or Asana), and sometimes certifications like PMP are often required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills help Program Specialists coordinate teams and manage multiple priorities effectively. These competencies are crucial for ensuring programs are delivered efficiently, objectives are met, and stakeholders are satisfied.

How does a program specialist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure program success?

Program Specialists often work closely with diverse teams, including project managers, subject matter experts, and administrative staff to coordinate and implement program activities. They facilitate communication between departments, track progress, and ensure everyone is aligned with program goals. This role frequently involves organizing meetings, synthesizing feedback, and adjusting plans based on input from various stakeholders. Effective collaboration is essential to anticipate challenges and deliver successful program outcomes.

What is the difference between Program Specialist vs Program Coordinator?

AspectProgram SpecialistProgram Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often required; certifications vary by industryBachelor's degree typically required; certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, community programs, nonprofit organizationsOffice settings, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, nonprofits, educational institutionsNonprofits, educational institutions, government programs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding role differences, career planningJob responsibilities, career progression

The Program Specialist focuses on developing and implementing programs, often with specialized expertise, while the Program Coordinator handles daily operations, logistics, and coordination tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are used across similar industries, but their core responsibilities differ, making them distinct career paths within program management.

How much does a program specialist make?

The average salary for a program specialist in North Carolina is approximately $50,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and the specific industry. Salaries can vary based on location, certifications, and organizational size, with some roles offering additional benefits or bonuses.

Where do program specialists typically work?

Program specialists typically work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, or corporate settings. They often operate in office environments and may need to use project management tools or data analysis software as part of their role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Specialist jobs in Connecticut?

The most popular types of Program Specialist jobs in Connecticut are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Program Specialist job openings in Connecticut as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,809 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

$72K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

This Program Specialist position is located in the Surgical Service at the West Haven, CT VAMC location. This position is a Full-Time position at 40 hours per week.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/14/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You must qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Understanding of applicable fellowship programs, ability to analyze and evaluate techniques specific to trainee programs, strong communication skills to coordinate among various affiliated educational programs, internal departments and outside organizations, organizational skills to schedule and maintain educational activities, ability to offer technical support to various customers, and developing and maintaining annual budgets in coordination with affiliate training faculty. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a masters or equivalent graduate degree OR have completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of a Program Specialist. Transcripts must be supplied at the time of application in order to be considered. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although physical effort to meet the other employees at their worksites is required.
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:A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER