Program Specialist (PUBL EDUC SPEC 4)

University of California, Davis; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental & Vision

Retirement plans

CE allowance

Job summary

University of California, Davis is seeking a Program Specialist to lead initiatives in product development supporting CalWORKs through Welfare to Work training and capacity building. You will author curricula, toolkits, and web content with SMEs, and build partnerships with county offices and state agencies.

This role emphasizes family finding and engagement practices, managing work plans and budgets, and ensuring client satisfaction to promote contract renewals and program sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and driving license requirement.
• Experience with CalWORKs self-sufficiency programs or equivalent human services practices.
• Experience managing multiple projects and overseeing program development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple concurrent projects and manage priorities.
• Develop and evaluate program content and resources.
• Lead and facilitate meetings and trainings with diverse stakeholders.
• Support long-range planning and marketing efforts.

Skills

Project management

Meeting facilitation

Communication skills

Independent work

Learning design

Engagement practices

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Master's degree in social work or psychology

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Transforming CalWORKs Director, the Program Specialist leads key initiatives in product development to support Senate Bill 119, Transforming CalWORKs, through Welfare to Work training and capacity building efforts. This role is responsible for independently authoring and collaboratively developing high quality curricula, toolkits, resource materials, and web based content in partnership with subject matter experts (SMEs). The Program Specialist builds and sustains strong collaborative relationships with county Welfare to Work offices, state agencies, instructors, and advisory committee members to guide the assessment, design, and delivery of workforce relevant and participant centered training solutions. Deep expertise in family finding, family support, and engagement practices is essential, as this role works closely with subject matter experts to strengthen and advance content that supports CalWORKs and Welfare to Work involved families in achieving stability, self sufficiency, and long term success. This role partners with content area leaders to support practice model implementation by developing and monitoring work plans, managing project budgets, and ensuring high levels of client satisfaction to promote contract renewals and program sustainability.

Apply By Date

November 3, 2026

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position.

• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• In-depth experience and knowledge of CalWORKs self-sufficiency programs or equivalent Human Services best practices and principles, including systems serving children and families.
• Project management experience to oversee multiple, concurrent projects of a complex nature, to establish and adjust priorities, and to develop a course of action, monitor plans, ensure timely completion, review and evaluate results.
• Experience identifying and evaluating program needs to develop and implement new programs/services making necessary adjustments to ensure successful outcomes.
• Experience in facilitating meetings, workshops or trainings. Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse constituency of child welfare professionals and allied professions and internal clients.
• Experience working independently, organizing own work, establishing priorities, developing a course of action, monitoring the plan, reviewing and evaluating results.
• Experience using MS Office Suite for Windows (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), databases and business tracking systems.
• Ability to design engaging and innovative learning experiences that capture the interest of participants and facilitate effective learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in social work or psychology
• Experience with public assistance programs, student services, or workforce development.
• Experience in writing and developing curriculum content.
• Experience in persuasive report writing, articles and marketing materials.
• Experience in developing and monitoring large complex project budgets.
• Skill to assess client training and professional development needs.
• Ability to analyze policy and legislation proposed and implemented at federal, state and county levels of government; assess implications for child welfare.
• Knowledge of transfer of learning theories and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• 35% - Project Management
• 30% - Program Development, Analysis & Evaluation
• 25% - Meeting & Training Facilitation
• 10% - Marketing/Long-Range Planning

Department Overview

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) is the workforce development and lifelong learning arm of the university. The division maintains the most diverse portfolio on campus, including online professional courses and certificates, contract training for public and private organizations and state agencies, online graduate degrees in partnership with UC Davis colleges, international academic and cultural exchange programs, pre-college programs and more. UC Davis CPE is a global leader in continuing education. With nearly 90,000 annual enrollments in professional, academic and enrichment courses and millions of enrollments in Massive Open Online Courses, CPE serves lifelong learners in the growing Sacramento region, all 50 states and more than 100 countries. CPE is the campus leader in online education, supporting schools and colleges across UC Davis in their efforts to make learning accessible. CPE employs approximately 270 employees and draws on the expertise of approximately 700 instructors.

Position Information

• Salary or Pay Range: $79,400.00 - $144,000.00/yr. (Department budgeted salary range: $79,400 - $111,700/yr. Commensurate with experience.)
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: 22
• UC Job Title: PUBL EDUC SPEC 4
• UC Job Code: 004169
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): Manager will advise
• Location: Davis, CA
• Union Representation: No
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee’s lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e.g., e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Special Requirements – Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks