1

Program Support Assistant Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Activities Assistant

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Activities Assistant Company: Vasona Creek Healthcare Center Location: 16412 Los Gatos Blvd, Los ... Your creativity will directly support individual and group therapeutic programs tailored to ...

Showing results 21-40

Program Support Assistant information

See Santa Cruz, CA salary details

$30.6K

$52.3K

$65.8K

How much do program support assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for program support assistant in Santa Cruz, CA is $52,342.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $56,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a program support assistant?

A program support assistant works in a specialized unit of an organization or academic institution and performs a variety of administrative tasks. Your duties as a program support assistant vary depending on your employer but may involve budgeting, purchasing materials, managing files and records, and assisting visitors. You must also understand departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures. Typical qualifications for a program support assistant include at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and relevant work experience. You must also have excellent communication, multitasking, and organizational skills, along with computer proficiency.

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

To thrive as a Program Support Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in office administration, typically supported by a high school diploma or relevant experience. Familiarity with office software like Microsoft Office Suite, data entry systems, and scheduling tools is commonly required. Excellent communication, multitasking abilities, and adaptability are crucial soft skills that set top performers apart. These competencies ensure efficient program operations, effective support for teams, and smooth coordination of administrative tasks.

What are some common challenges faced by program support assistants in managing multiple tasks and priorities?

Program Support Assistants often juggle a wide range of responsibilities, from scheduling meetings and maintaining records to coordinating communication between departments. One common challenge is managing competing priorities and tight deadlines, especially when supporting multiple team members or projects simultaneously. Staying organized, proactively communicating about workload, and using digital tools for task management can help address these challenges. Additionally, flexibility and adaptability are important, as priorities may shift quickly based on organizational needs.

What is the difference between Program Support Assistant vs Administrative Assistant?

AspectProgram Support AssistantAdministrative Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles may prefer post-secondary educationHigh school diploma; often similar educational requirements
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, educational institutionsCorporate offices, government agencies, various industries
Job ResponsibilitiesSupporting program operations, coordinating activities, assisting with reportsManaging schedules, handling correspondence, organizing files
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in public sector and non-profit organizationsWidespread across industries including private and public sectors

The Program Support Assistant and Administrative Assistant roles share similarities in educational requirements and work environments. However, Program Support Assistants focus more on supporting specific programs and coordinating activities within organizations, especially in government and non-profit sectors. Administrative Assistants typically handle general office tasks across various industries. Both roles are essential for organizational operations but differ in scope and focus.

What job categories do people searching Program Support Assistant jobs in Santa Cruz, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Support Assistant jobs in Santa Cruz, CA are:

What cities near Santa Cruz, CA are hiring for Program Support Assistant jobs?

Cities near Santa Cruz, CA with the most Program Support Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Program Support Assistant job openings in Santa Cruz, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,342 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Assistant Program Director

San Martin, CA • On-site

Embark Behavioral Health
Offices of Mental Health Practitioners • 1 - 5K employees

$70K - $76K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Embark Behavioral Health rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Overview
Salary Range: $70,000 - $76,000 annually (DOE)
Schedule: Monday - Friday l 9:00am - 5:00pm l On-call rotation
Location: 1470 E. Middle Ave, San Martin, CA 95046 (On-site)
Join a short-term residential behavioral health program serving adolescents ages 12-17 experiencing anxiety, depression, school refusal, substance use challenges, suicidal ideation, and other mental health concerns. As the Assistant Program Director, you will provide day-to-day leadership for residential operations, supervise staff, support program quality, and help ensure a safe, structured environment for youth in treatment. This is an opportunity for an experienced behavioral health leader to make a direct impact on adolescent care while partnering closely with clinical, medical, academic, and admissions teams.
Responsibilities
  • Lead daily residential operations for a short-term adolescent behavioral health treatment program in San Martin, CA.
  • Supervise Facility Managers and support, coach, and develop direct care staff.
  • Help maintain a safe, structured therapeutic environment for youth ages 12-17.
  • Partner with leadership, clinical, medical, academic, and admissions teams to coordinate care and support program success.
  • Assist with hiring, onboarding, staff training, scheduling, and performance management.
  • Support treatment planning, crisis response, quality improvement initiatives, and program development efforts.
  • Monitor documentation, program outcomes, compliance requirements, and residential services to ensure consistent care delivery.

Qualifications
  • At least 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience, preferably in behavioral health, residential treatment, youth services, or a related setting.
  • Experience working with adolescents facing mental health and behavioral health challenges.
  • Current or ability to obtain First Aid, CPR/AED, and Safety-Care training.
  • Valid California driver's license (or ability to obtain).
  • Must be 21 years of age or older.
  • High school diploma or GED required; additional behavioral health, human services, psychology, social work, or related experience strongly preferred.

Benefits
  • Paid Continued Development: Access to a Mastery Program that offers professional and financial opportunities for professional growth.
  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance - Multiple plan options including PPO and HDHPs with HSA eligibility and company contributions.
  • Paid Parental Leave - Up to 6 weeks fully paid for exempt employees and 4 weeks for non-exempt.
  • Life & Disability Coverage - Company-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability; voluntary life and optional short-term disability available.
  • 401(k) with Company Match - Retirement savings with matching contributions after eligibility period.
  • PTO & Holidays - Competitive PTO accrual plans and paid holidays throughout the year.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, confidential support for life's challenges.

Embark is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to enriching the therapeutic and healing experience we offer through the diversity of our employees and community. We actively seek to recruit and support a broadly diverse staff who contribute to our excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, and relevance in a global society.
Embark does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.

What Embark Behavioral Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom