How to hire an assistant program leader

How to hire an assistant program leader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant program leader hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant program leader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant program leader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an assistant program leader do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the assistant program leader you need to hire. Certain assistant program leader roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An assistant program leader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assistant program leaders from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of assistant program leader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Assistant Program Leader	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Program Leader	Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.	$9-27
   Leader	Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights... Show more	$23-73
   Youth Leader	A youth leader is a young individual who is responsible for building a sense of community within the church youth that can provide an opportunity for both spiritual and social development. Youth Leaders organize regular social, educational, and spiritual oriented events with parents and volunteers to maintain a vibrant program... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Math
   • Leadership
   • PET
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Inventory Management
   • CPR
   • Safety Procedures
   • Customer Service
   • Sales Floor
   • Bank Deposits
   • Role Model
   • Customer Complaints
   • Financial Services
   • POS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and implement strategic merchandising plans to achieve revenue objectives and reduce expenditures while ensuring payroll remains within budget.
   • have course training in CPR.
   • Provide technical leadership and direction to mechanics/technicians in the execution of maintenance on assign aircraft.
   • Define internal leadership role and establish interactive behavior and activity assessment through points and rewards.
   • Analyze and organize office operations from operation of payroll, information management/filing systems, requisitions of supplies and other clerical services.
   • Represent FEMA to vendors via telephone and in person.

   More assistant program leader duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant program leader job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An assistant program leader can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, assistant program leaders' average salary in alabama is 52% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant program leaders 65% less than senior-level assistant program leaders.
   • Certifications. An assistant program leader with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an assistant program leader's salary.

   Average assistant program leader salary

   $16.45hourly

   $34,219 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level assistant program leader salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average assistant program leader salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$51,444	$25
   2	Maryland	$46,015	$22
   3	New Hampshire	$43,041	$21
   4	New York	$41,941	$20
   5	Ohio	$41,014	$20
   6	Pennsylvania	$40,657	$20
   7	California	$40,236	$19
   8	Michigan	$39,861	$19
   9	Wisconsin	$39,581	$19
   10	Massachusetts	$37,590	$18
   11	Virginia	$35,660	$17
   12	Washington	$33,932	$16
   13	Texas	$32,419	$16
   14	Kentucky	$30,645	$15
   15	Colorado	$29,738	$14
   16	Georgia	$27,162	$13
   17	Tennessee	$27,076	$13
   18	Alabama	$24,907	$12

   Average assistant program leader salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	RH	$84,356	$40.56	18
   2	Bechtel Corporation	$61,415	$29.53	13
   3	New York State Restaurant Association	$44,382	$21.34
   4	Kroger	$42,675	$20.52	610
   5	Southwest Key Programs	$40,727	$19.58
   6	Harrisburg University of Science and Technology	$39,850	$19.16	2
   7	US Oncology Holdings Inc	$36,837	$17.71
   8	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	$35,870	$17.25	16
   9	HealthTrust	$35,515	$17.07
   10	First Choice Haircutters	$35,016	$16.83
   11	Ratner Companies	$34,826	$16.74
   12	Dollar General	$34,376	$16.53	269
   13	Kelly Services	$34,338	$16.51	5
   14	Pediatric Associates, Inc.	$33,754	$16.23
   15	Associated Recreation Council	$32,806	$15.77
   16	7-Eleven	$31,473	$15.13	336
   17	Minnesota State Fair	$30,915	$14.86	21
   18	Northside Hospital	$30,788	$14.80	7
   19	Presbyterian Villages of Michigan	$30,207	$14.52	4
   20	Hope Haven	$29,701	$14.28	1

4. Writing an assistant program leader job description

   A good assistant program leader job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an assistant program leader job description:

   Assistant program leader job description example

   Imagine a career where you positively impact fellow Hair Stylists through serving by example, demonstrating the latest hair techniques and trends, as well as demonstrating an exceptional Guest Experience. Start your career with Hair Cuttery or Bubbles today!
   As an Assistant Salon Leader , you will assist in managing the day-to-day operations of the salon, as well as manage the salon in the Salon Leader’s absence. You will also spend your time working behind the chair to provide education and consulting to your guests regarding the best service and Home Hair Care products, so they may recreate their new look at home! Responsibilities: As an Assistant Salon Leader, you will: • Benefit from the wide range of services you can offer to your clients including cuts, styles, highlights, color, permanent waves, relaxers and up dos Benefits for Salon Associates:
   ● Free Advanced Education by REDKEN Certified Professionals, Career Path opportunities, Performance Awards, Flexible Schedule and a Unique Culture that’s ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE! PLUS Medical Coverage options, Paid Time Off, 401(K) Savings Plans, Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance! Qualifications: Assistant Salon Leader Requirements:
   ● Ability to demonstrate a passion for people and customer service
   ● Strong leadership skills that inspire and motivate performance
   ● Strong interpersonal, oral communication and listening skills
   ● Ability to build and maintain strong client and team relationships
   ● Ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve salon goals
   ● Ability to be flexible and adapt to business needs
   ● Reliable and available to work various schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays
   ● Strong organizational and follow up skills
   ● MUST HAVE A COSMETOLOGY LICENSE in the state you are applying for, eligibility to work in the United States
   ● 6+ months experience in a salon environment performing hair services AND basic math skills At the Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, you can build a Career for Life! The Hair Cuttery Family of Brands provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all applicants.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find assistant program leaders for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant program leader job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant program leader candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit assistant program leaders, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant program leader

   Once you've found the assistant program leader candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an assistant program leader?