Program Specialist
Join Our Mission to Help Alachua County’s Children Thrive!
Position: Administrative Receptionist
Status: Full-Time | Hourly
Starting Pay Range: $40,000 - $45,000 annually
Reports To: Director of Programs
Location: In-Office based in Gainesville, FL
At the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. We fund and support programs that help children and families thrive—focusing on health, education, and safety across our community.
When you join our team, you become part of a dedicated organization that collaborates with local partners to make real, lasting change in the lives of children and families.
About the Role
The Program Specialist is responsible for assisting the Programs Department with the administration of various programs and contracts funded by the Children's Trust of Alachua County. The work performed by the Program Specialist includes but is not limited to: supporting Programs Department with the Request for Proposal (RFP) process; researching, developing and reviewing responses to requests for proposals; monitoring unit cost contracts to ensure contract compliance; providing ongoing technical assistance support related to needed quality improvement; making recommendations regarding provider status; and preparing reports for Contract Managers and senior and executive management.
NOTE: The posted salary range is the starting range for the position.
Primary Tasks and Responsibilities
- Performs organizational and administrative functions for the assigned contract team or initiative area.
- Assists with the preparation and compilation of program initiatives, contracts, funding applications, correspondence, reports and filing of records.
- Assists with preparation of provider site visits and onboarding support in consultation with Director of Program Operations and Contract Managers.
- Initiates provider communication for all funding opportunities. This includes grants, unallocated funding and RFPs.
- Provides technical assistance support and training to contracted providers in direct consultation with Director of Program Operations and Contract Managers to improve programmatic, administrative, and contractual performance, ensuring ongoing quality improvement.
- Notifies Director of Program Operations and Contract Managers of potential non-compliance and other problems.
- Actively participates in team meetings, information sharing and cross-training for the improved efficiencies of the assigned program area/initiative.
- Provides back up support for data entry, mail processing, stocking of supplies to ensure seamless operations.
- Assists with the development of projects, programs, contracts, procedures and schedules; assist in developing procurement or solicitation documents; assist with management and review of solicitation or procurement responses; assist with the development of contract documents.
- May assist with and investigate/follow up with provider and/or end-user complaints related to contracted services and programs as assigned.
- Prepares agendas, schedules meetings, collects information, compiles activity reports and performs other related tasks as assigned by a Director of Program Operations.
- Maintains provider database and/or spreadsheets, including assisting with creation and organization of provider files in both hard copy and electronic formats.
- Other duties may be assigned relative to the overall work of the Programs Department.
Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, nonprofit management or related field or three to five years of relevant experience in an organization providing social and/or community based services.
- Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
- Ability to create positive storylines for marketing and promotion of funded programs.
- Excellent judgment and business knowledge with a keen ability to assess people, processes, and products.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
- Experience using software to design and create newsletters, flyers, and other marketing material.
- Ability to effectively present information to customers and peers.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals in a diverse community.
- Knowledge of current computing technologies and software applications appropriate to the position’s job responsibilities.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
- While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly alternates between sitting for long periods of time when using a computer and computer keyboard; physically moving around from department to department and out in the community. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.
- The workplace is a comfort controlled open office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. When outside the office the work environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
Work Environment
This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended, at the sole discretion of the Children’s Trust of Alachua County.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
You’ll join a mission-driven organization that values inclusivity, collaboration, and service. Every interaction you have—whether welcoming a visitor or supporting a team member—helps advance our mission to improve the lives of children and families in Alachua County.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply today and help create a brighter future for every child in Alachua County.
This announcement is intended to provide an overview of key responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It does not constitute the official job description. A comprehensive job description will be made available to candidates selected for further consideration.
The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that are expected to be able to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Children's Trust of Alachua County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.