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community program specialist

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Community Program Specialist
salary: $ - $
categories: [Community, Programs, Nonprofit, Social Services]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Community Program Specialist.
Recruiter-curated summary of the Community Program Specialist role: clear responsibilities, measurable deliverables, and the technical and interpersonal skills employers search for. Use this as a job brief, candidate profile, or SEO-optimized role description for hiring, internal promotion planning, or LLM-assisted resume and job posting generation.

🎯 Role Definition

A Community Program Specialist designs, implements, and evaluates community-facing programs that advance organizational goals and improve outcomes for target populations. This role combines program management, outreach, partnership building, data-driven evaluation, and frontline client support. The specialist serves as the primary liaison between the organization and community stakeholders, ensuring programs are culturally responsive, evidence-based, and compliant with funder and regulatory requirements.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Program Coordinator or Program Assistant
  • Community Outreach Specialist or Outreach Coordinator
  • Case Manager or Client Services Representative

Advancement To:

  • Program Manager or Senior Program Specialist
  • Community Programs Director or Manager of Community Engagement
  • Grants & Partnerships Manager or Director of Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Volunteer & Events Manager
  • Grants/Development Specialist
  • Policy & Advocacy Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead end-to-end program delivery for assigned community initiatives: develop workplans, timelines, and detailed budgets; coordinate staff and volunteers; and ensure milestones are met on schedule and within budget.
  • Design and refine program curricula, workshops, and service models that are evidence-informed and tailored to the demographic, cultural, and linguistic needs of the target community.
  • Develop strong, trust-based partnerships with community organizations, local government agencies, funders, schools, and healthcare providers to expand program reach and leverage resources.
  • Conduct proactive community outreach and participant recruitment using multi-channel strategies (in-person outreach, digital marketing, partner networks, public events) to meet participation and enrollment targets.
  • Provide direct client-facing services where applicable: intake assessments, case management, needs assessments, referrals to partner services, and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.
  • Manage grants, contracts, and subrecipient relationships: prepare proposals, administer award budgets, ensure contract compliance, and produce grant deliverables and fiscal reports on time.
  • Design and maintain program monitoring and evaluation frameworks: develop indicators, data collection tools, data quality controls, and dashboards to measure outputs, outcomes, and impact.
  • Analyze program data and feedback to produce clear, actionable reports and presentations for leadership, funders, and community stakeholders that drive program improvement.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor program staff, AmeriCorps/volunteers, and interns; set clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching and performance reviews.
  • Oversee program logistics and operations, including event planning, facility coordination, procurement of supplies, and risk management practices for field activities.
  • Ensure all program activities meet legal, funder, and organizational compliance standards, including confidentiality, recordkeeping, safety protocols, and accessibility requirements.
  • Create and distribute community-facing materials—flyers, newsletters, social media posts, and culturally adapted resources—that clearly communicate program benefits, schedules, and enrollment processes.
  • Facilitate community meetings, focus groups, and stakeholder convenings to gather qualitative feedback, co-create solutions, and build shared ownership of program outcomes.
  • Apply trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to service delivery and stakeholder engagement to build trust and improve participant retention.
  • Use case-management software and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Apricot, ETO) to track client interactions, maintain accurate records, and support data-driven decisions.
  • Monitor program budgets, reconcile expenses, and work with finance to forecast needs and ensure efficient use of resources.

Secondary Functions

  • Lead periodic program design sprints and pilot projects to test innovative service models, document lessons learned, and scale successful approaches.
  • Support organizational fundraising by drafting program narratives, preparing budgets, and providing metrics and impact stories for proposals and donor reports.
  • Develop and deliver staff and partner trainings on program protocols, cultural competency, data collection procedures, and client confidentiality best practices.
  • Serve as the organization’s representative at community coalitions, interagency taskforces, and public hearings to advocate for program priorities and strengthen referrals networks.
  • Coordinate volunteer recruitment, orientation, placement, and recognition programs to augment staffing capacity and build community engagement.
  • Create actionable risk mitigation plans for fieldwork and events, including safety checklists, incident reporting protocols, and insurance/permit coordination.
  • Maintain and improve client-facing digital assets (program pages, registration forms, FAQs) in collaboration with communications and IT to streamline enrollment and reporting.
  • Prepare periodic impact briefs, case studies, and success stories optimized for external audiences and social proof to support marketing and development efforts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Program design and project management (workplans, Gantt charts, milestone tracking)
  • Grant writing and grant administration, including budget development and reporting
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL/M&E): indicator development, data collection, analysis, and dashboarding
  • Proficiency with client databases and CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, Apricot, ETO) and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
  • Experience using data visualization and analysis tools (Excel pivot tables, Google Data Studio, Tableau, or Power BI)
  • Familiarity with case management and intake systems, confidentiality standards, and consent documentation
  • Budget tracking, expense reconciliation, and basic financial forecasting
  • Event planning and logistics management for workshops, trainings, and community events
  • Knowledge of relevant sector regulations and compliance requirements (funding agreements, HIPAA when applicable)
  • Basic digital marketing skills: email campaigns, social media promotion, and community outreach analytics

Soft Skills

  • Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills; experienced in building partnerships across sectors
  • Excellent written and verbal communication; able to write compelling funding narratives and clear program reports
  • Cultural competency and language skills relevant to the community (bilingual abilities are a major plus)
  • Empathy, active listening, and trauma-informed practice when interacting with vulnerable populations
  • Problem-solving and adaptable decision-making in dynamic field settings
  • Organizational skills and attention to detail; capable of managing multiple programs and deadlines
  • Leadership and team development: coaching, conflict resolution, and performance feedback
  • Facilitation and public speaking skills for community meetings and trainings
  • Critical thinking with an emphasis on data-driven program improvement
  • Initiative and self-direction with the ability to work independently and as part of cross-functional teams

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Community Development, Education, Public Health, Human Services, or a related field OR equivalent experience (typically 2–4 years) in community programs or direct service.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Public Administration (MPA), Public Health (MPH), Nonprofit Management, or a related advanced degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Work
  • Public Administration / Public Policy
  • Community Development
  • Education / Youth Development
  • Public Health / Health Promotion
  • Nonprofit Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of progressive experience in community-based program delivery, outreach, case management, or program coordination. For senior roles, 5+ years is common.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience managing grants and funder relationships, supervising staff, leading M&E activities, and producing measurable program outcomes.
  • Direct experience with the target population served (e.g., youth, families, immigrants, older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness) and familiarity with local community networks.
  • Experience using CRMs and data visualization tools; prior experience in a nonprofit, government, or social services environment preferred.
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