Program Specialist

American Public Power Association; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Scientific Society seeks a highly organized Program Specialist to support student, professional development, and outreach programs. You will manage applications, coordinate multi-day conferences, and ensure compliance and data integrity across multiple systems.

The role involves grant management, partner engagement with student chapters worldwide, and delivering timely, solutions-focused support to members and program participants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least three years of professional experience in project management, data management, and financial processing.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer- and member-service orientation.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong relationship-building with staff, volunteers, members, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with grants management systems or databases.
• Experience with professional societies, associations, or meetings and events preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key point of contact for students, faculty, members, volunteers, staff, and external partners participating in society programs.
• Support and manage grant programs and partner with student chapters worldwide.
• Coordinate multi-day professional development and conference programs for students and early-career professionals.
• Manage program application, screening, acceptance, and participant notification processes.
• Coordinate event logistics, participant travel, and other operational needs.
• Support grant documentation, financial processing, tracking, and reporting.
• Manage and maintain accurate program data across multiple databases and internal systems.
• Ensure all grant and program processes meet established compliance requirements.
• Maintain program websites to ensure content remains accurate, current, and aligned with established guidelines.
• Support program communications, marketing initiatives, reporting, and other special projects.
• Provide responsive, solutions-focused support to members and program participants, addressing questions and resolving issues in a timely manner.

Skills

Project management

Data management

Communication skills

Customer-service orientation

Relationship-building

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Grants management systems

Databases

Job description

Scientific Society is seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and service-oriented Program Specialist to join our Programs team. This position offers an exciting opportunity to support programs that make a meaningful impact on students and early-career professionals in the global community.

The Program Specialist plays an important role in the day-to-day management and delivery of student, professional development, and outreach programs. The successful candidate will work across a diverse portfolio of initiatives, including student chapter programs, grants, professional development events, educational programs, and other activities

In this role, you will:

• Serve as a key point of contact for students, faculty, members, volunteers, staff, and external partners participating in society programs.
• Support and manage grant programs and partner with student chapters worldwide.
• Coordinate multi-day professional development and conference programs for students and early-career professionals.
• Manage program application, screening, acceptance, and participant notification processes.
• Coordinate event logistics, participant travel, and other operational needs.
• Support grant documentation, financial processing, tracking, and reporting.
• Manage and maintain accurate program data across multiple databases and internal systems.
• Ensure all grant and program processes meet established compliance requirements.
• Maintain program websites to ensure content remains accurate, current, and aligned with established guidelines.
• Support program communications, marketing initiatives, reporting, and other special projects.
• Provide responsive, solutions-focused support to members and program participants, addressing questions and resolving issues in a timely manner.

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys managing multiple projects, working with people from around the world, solving problems, and turning plans into successful programs.

Candidates should bring:

• A bachelor’s degree.
• At least three years of professional experience involving project management, data management, and financial processing.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong customer- and member-service orientation.
• The ability to manage competing deadlines and adjust priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, members, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with grants management systems, databases, or similar technology is beneficial.
• Experience with a professional society, association, membership organization, or meetings and events is preferred.

You will join a collaborative team where your work will help strengthen student communities, deliver meaningful professional development experiences, and expand opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers.