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What is a senior program specialist/program specialist and how to become one
A senior program specialist/program specialist presides over the planning, preparation, execution, and coordination of projects or programs for companies or nonprofit organizations.
To make the programs run smoothly, they communicate with various offices and departments to satisfy the internal and external requirements for the project or program. They also provide administrative assistance and take part in budget allocation and management. Conducting presentations, researches, and reports is also part of their responsibilities, so they must be familiar with computer applications like PowerPoint.
An efficient senior program specialist/program specialist must have organizational, leadership, and social skills. These qualities are crucial in managing their time while supervising the program and guiding other employees in completing their assignments and tasks.
A bachelor's degree in the organization's field is a typical educational requirement for this position. However, some employers prefer candidates who hold a master's degree. An expected growth rate of 13% between 2018 to 2028 will generate approximately 52,200 opportunities for this job.
What general advice would you give to a senior program specialist/program specialist?
Laura Chyu
Associate Professor, BSPH and MPH Program Director, University of San Francisco
Be prepared to negotiate your salary. Become familiar with average and median salaries and salary ranges for comparable positions in your geographic location, and use market benchmarks in your negotiation. In addition to salary, also consider other benefits including retirement plans, health insurance, and professional development opportunities.
Stay current on relevant skills for your job. Seek opportunities for certification or involvement in projects to learn new skills that will make you a more competitive candidate.
Avg. Salary $84,195
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 12%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 2.22%
Asian 7.13%
Black or African American 14.98%
Hispanic or Latino 19.53%
Unknown 5.23%
White 50.91%
Genderfemale 62.35%
male 37.65%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Senior program specialist/program specialist career paths
Key steps to become a senior program specialist/program specialist
Explore senior program specialist/program specialist education requirements
Start to develop specific senior program specialist/program specialist skills
Skills Percentages Project Management 21.73% Process Improvement 11.47% PowerPoint 10.69% Program Management 8.36% SR 6.88% Complete relevant senior program specialist/program specialist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior program specialists/program specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior program specialist/program specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior program specialist/program specialist resumes.Research senior program specialist/program specialist duties and responsibilities
- Manage monetary, laptop and training supports for members living with HIV.
- Provide CPR training to staff.
- Proofread, code, document, and submit contractors' invoices to accounting.
- Produce accurate, properly format documents, PowerPoint presentations and reports under tight time constraints.
Get senior program specialist/program specialist experience
Generally, it takes 6-12 months to become a senior program specialist/program specialist. The most common roles before becoming a senior program specialist/program specialist include programming specialist, administrative assistant team lead and internship.Prepare your senior program specialist/program specialist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior program specialist/program specialist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior program specialist/program specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
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Apply for senior program specialist/program specialist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior program specialist/program specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average senior program specialist/program specialist salary
The average senior program specialist/program specialist salary in the United States is $84,195 per year or $40 per hour. Senior program specialist/program specialist salaries range between $57,000 and $123,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do senior program specialists/program specialists rate their job?
Senior program specialist/program specialist reviews
It allows me to work with wonderful people. The change I get to make is amazing.
Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.
Helping other people who can't help themself
Updated January 8, 2025
