What does a program support specialist do?
A program support specialist is responsible for monitoring the overall program aspects of an organization from the conceptualization to the final execution. Program support specialists negotiate contracts and transactions with the suppliers and vendors for resources that meet the funding and budget limitations. They process documents and assist the program staff in coordinating with other organizations for program plans and potential sponsorships. A program support specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling the program objectives and ensure client satisfaction.
Program support specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real program support specialist resumes:
- Lead SharePoint implementation project to include customize conference room application through design, beta testing, and phase roll out.
- Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
- Enforce HIPAA compliance to ensure patient confidentiality without any violations to date.
- Serve in advance level technical position in a high volume DMV regulatory unit.
- Create and develop visual presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Process independent corrections/updates to DMV records as determined through customer contact and research.
- Develop and deliver 30-minute PowerPoint presentation to train incoming 3rd-year students in use of patient encounter software.
- Require to process professional medical/personal information effectively while remaining compliant of all HIPAA laws and government privacy regulations.
- Leverage technology (e.g., internet, teleconference, SharePoint) to facilitate information sharing in distribute work environments.
- Provide implementation and oversight of multiple tracking systems for safety regulation adherence, record maintenance, and internal and external interactions.
- Provide and implement SQL queries and statements for customers.
- Amass reports using SQL commands over the plant's main data table for plant optimization.
- Create and maintains excel spreadsheet used to track PIV numbers for the entire staff of the Detroit VAMC.
- Provide administrative support to the operational teams in DCSE field office.
- Update disposition of court hearings; following up with proper DCSE units for further action.
Program support specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Program Support Specialists are proficient in Program Support, Veterans, and PowerPoint. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Program Support Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Program Support, 22%
Performed program evaluation in assigned areas such as program support management and/or administrative management.
- Veterans, 6%
Advised veterans about medical procedures, expenses and proper documentation.
- PowerPoint, 5%
Developed and delivered 30-minute PowerPoint presentation to train incoming 3rd-year students in use of patient encounter software.
- Program Management, 4%
Performed a variety of acquisition related tasks in the areas of program management and data management under limited supervision.
- Data Entry, 4%
Complete data entry on inbound electronic program documentation.
- Community Resources, 4%
Provide support to the Senior Adult Day Program participants and families including educating, accessing, and utilizing community resources.
Most program support specialists use their skills in "program support," "veterans," and "powerpoint" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential program support specialist responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a program support specialist to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Program support specialists often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "complete customers' intake applications for services, determine eligibility, and administer data entry system. "
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform program support specialist duties is listening skills. Program support specialists responsibilities require that "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." Program support specialists also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "prepared official documents and reports; proposed up-front edits aimed at improving data collection; prepared staff reports; communicated effectively. "
Speaking skills. This is an important skill for program support specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how program support specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a program support specialist: "coordinated the annual graduation ceremony, public speaking events, and planning for the mentoring programs at nih's training center. ".
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what program support specialists do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to program support specialist responsibilities because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical program support specialist tasks: "communicate problems/solution to supervisors and program management. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a program support specialist to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what program support specialists relies on this skill, since "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." How this skill relates to program support specialist duties can be seen in an example from a program support specialist resume snippet: "provided technical assistance with writing grants and proposals to offer services for individuals with developmental disabilities. "
The three companies that hire the most program support specialists are:
- ICF115 program support specialists jobs
- Chicago Public Schools7 program support specialists jobs
- San Jose State University7 program support specialists jobs
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Program support specialist vs. Support lead
A support lead is typically in charge of overseeing the performance of a technical support team, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. Their responsibilities revolve around assessing the performance of the workforce, resolving complex issues, identifying customer needs and sales opportunities, and training new team members. They may also perform calls and correspondence, respond to inquiries, and resolve issues promptly. Furthermore, as a support lead, it is essential to perform clerical tasks such as preparing progress reports, managing schedules, and maintaining records of transactions.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a program support specialist are more likely to require skills like "program support," "veterans," "powerpoint," and "program management." On the other hand, a job as a support lead requires skills like "customer service," "cash management," "pos," and "sales floor." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Support leads tend to reach similar levels of education than program support specialists. In fact, support leads are 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Program support specialist vs. Administrative specialist
An administrative specialist is in charge of various clerical tasks to support supervisors and management staff. Their responsibility is to act as the main point of contact among clients through answering calls and responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments and travel, addressing complaints and resolving internal issues, managing payroll, and keeping an organized database. Furthermore, an administrative specialist can also conduct research and analysis, prepare reports and other forms of documentation, and coordinate workflow in a particular area.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, program support specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "program support," "veterans," "program management," and "community resources." Meanwhile, an administrative specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "office procedures," "patients," and "payroll." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Administrative specialists earn a lower average salary than program support specialists. But administrative specialists earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $50,521. Additionally, program support specialists earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $50,486 annually.In general, administrative specialists achieve similar levels of education than program support specialists. They're 4.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for program support specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Namita Sugandhi Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Hartwick College
Program support specialist vs. Support associate
The primary role of sales support associates is to help sales staff and customers during the sales process. A sales support associate also performs other tasks that include maintaining positive customer relations, responding to customers' requests for quotes, information, and specifications, and, initiating contact with prospective customers. They are also responsible for coordinating proposals, sales literature production, and presentations. Requirements for this position include a high school diploma or general education development, administrative and communication skills, and organizational skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a program support specialist is likely to be skilled in "program support," "veterans," "program management," and "community resources," while a typical support associate is skilled in "sales floor," "computer system," "pos," and "cleanliness."
When it comes to education, support associates tend to earn lower degree levels compared to program support specialists. In fact, they're 6.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Program support specialist vs. Staff specialist
The duties of a staff specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing support tasks such as preparing and processing documents, answering calls and correspondence, arranging appointments and meetings, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, offer products and services, close sales, participate in the hiring and training procedures, and develop strategies to optimize business performance. Furthermore, as a staff specialist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with fellow staff, coordinating to ensure an efficient workflow.
Types of program support specialist
Updated January 8, 2025











