Demo

Program Specialist

DC Department of Human Resources
Washington, DC Full Time
POSTED ON 6/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/1/2026
Job Summary

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE is focused on sustaining, accelerating, and deepening the progress being made for the District’s 90,000 students. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s 470 early childhood facilities, 250 schools, 60 local education agencies (including DCPS and charter organizations), and community-based organizations to provide critical programming and resources to our stakeholders.

The Program Specialist reviews program applications, conducts administrative reviews, and provides technical assistance to support compliant participation in CACFP and SFSP. The Program Specialist is responsible for administering CACFP and SFSP. The team oversees the administration and coordination of federal Child Nutrition Programs. This role will primarily focus on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and local regulations such as the DC Healthy Schools Act and Healthy Tots Act.

Duties And Responsibilities

Plans, develop, and conduct program analyzes of substantial scale and impact concerning all aspects of current or projected operating programs for actual or potential effectiveness in achieving planned goals and objectives. Develops, maintains, and monitors projects, and integrated reporting system(s) affecting program(s) throughout the activity. Communicates information to supervisor for effective evaluation of program operations and milestones.

Conducts management surveys, audits, projects, etc., and provides advisory services to operating or management officials. Program study assignments involve organizations, operations, and functions of significant complexity with extensively interrelated program(s) throughout an extremely complex activity. Oversees execution of programs of broad scope and mission impact. Reviews and interprets new and established directives, instructions, regulations, and delegations of authority for potential impact on major program objectives, operating policies, work operations, and progress. Assures program goals, objectives, and operations.

Qualifications And Education

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Examples of specialized experience may include but are not limited to performing a variety of tasks pertaining to compliance with the USDA Child Nutrition Program regulations; menu planning and analysis for a targeted population; managing large scale food service operations; local government finances, operations, and school/child development facility administration.

Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is usually performed in an office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday: 8:15am to 4:45pm

Pay Plan, Series, Grade: CS-0301-12

Promotion Potential: No known promotional potential

Duration of Appointment: This is an Education Service (ES), “At-Will” Appointment. All positions and appointments in the Education Service serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not covered under a collecting bargaining agreement.

Position Designation: In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Suitability, this position has been deemed Protection-Sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, and drug screenings, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

Emergency Designation: This position is designated as emergency and you are agreeing to adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding Essential/Emergency employees. As an emergency employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Salary.com Estimation for Program Specialist in Washington, DC
$75,454 to $100,772
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Program Specialist?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Program Specialist career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$61,013 - $81,239
Income Estimation: 
$33,598 - $61,119
Income Estimation: 
$65,352 - $83,351
Income Estimation: 
$73,522 - $95,253
Income Estimation: 
$70,882 - $94,516
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at DC Department of Human Resources

  • DC Department of Human Resources Washington, DC
  • Job Summary Provides the full range of nursing care to psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting in the Department of Nursing, at Saint Elizabeths Hospi... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • DC Department of Human Resources Washington, DC
  • Job Summary This position is located in Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Department of Behavioral Health, Office of Medical Affairs. Serves as psychiatry expert ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • DC Department of Human Resources Washington, DC
  • Job Summary This position is located in the DC Department of Corrections, Central Detention Facility (CDF) and Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) locati... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • DC Department of Human Resources Washington, DC
  • Job Summary This position is in the Office of Facilities Management, Directorate of Library Business Operations, District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL)... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Program Specialist jobs in the Washington, DC area that may be a better fit.

  • MARINER CREDENTIALING PROGRAM POLICY DIV -CG-MMC-2 Washington, DC
  • This vacancy is for a GS-2101-13, Marine Transportation Specialist, DCO, Asst COMDT for Prevention Policy, Commercial Regulations and Standards, Merchant M... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • Office of National Continuity Programs, Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center Round Hill, VA
  • This position is located in Roundhill, Virginia at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC). The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated and ... more
  • 5 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!