Program Specialist I

Salary : $68,536.00 - $96,553.60 Annually
Location : Throughout San Bernardino County, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-16310-02
Department: Human Services - Program Development
Opening Date: 09/12/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt


The Job
San Bernardino County is recruiting for Program Specialists I who, under direction, perform administrative and operational program development activities; analyze, recommend and develop policies/procedures and knowledge assets/tools for agency/department programs; and may initiate, track, and monitor program contracts/MOUs (memoranda of understanding).

For more detailed information, refer to the job description.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS

To review job-specific benefits, refer to: Summary of Benefits and the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, applicants must pass a background investigation which includes verification of employment history and education, fingerprinting, physical exam, and drug screening.
• Travel: Travel throughout the County may be required and employees will be required to make provisions for such transportation.
• Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet either Option 1 or Option 2 below:

Option 1:
Education An Associate's degree or equivalent completed college coursework (defined as completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education) in behavioral/social science, business/public/health care administration, liberal arts or education.


A list of completed college coursework or legible copies of transcripts MUST be submitted with the application if the applicant does not possess an Associate's degree or higher in one of the qualifying fields listed above.

Completion of the San Bernardino County Management Leadership Academy (MLA) program will be accepted toward the required coursework on the basis of 4 quarter units of credit per MLA track completed.
-AND-
Experience Option A: Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience in a human services/social services or behavioral/mental/public health program which requires a high level of independent judgment to provide complex administrative, social, vocational, or employment training services which includes: interpreting and applying rules and regulations; preparing complex studies and reports; performing assessments or evaluations; and developing case plans or making recommendations/decisions. Option B: Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience performing research of laws, rules, regulations, or policies in order to evaluate compliance/quality assurance or assess and develop organizational training needs Option C: Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience performing program development or high level administrative activities such as researching laws, regulations, and policies; conducting/preparing administrative studies/reports; developing policies and procedures; and implementing new programs and program changes.
Option D: Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience in a California Department of Social Services agency performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Worker III or higher.

Note: Eligibility Worker II experience is not considered qualifying.

Option 2:
Education* A Bachelor's degree or equivalent completed college coursework (defined as completion of 120 semester or 180 quarter units from an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education) in behavioral/social science, business/public/health care administration, liberal arts or education.


A list of completed college coursework or legible copies of transcripts MUST be submitted with the application if the applicant does not possess a Bachelor's degree or higher in one of the qualifying fields listed above.

Completion of the San Bernardino County Management Leadership Academy (MLA) program will be accepted toward the required coursework on the basis of 4 quarter units of credit per MLA track completed.
-AND-
Experience Option A: One (1) year of full-time equivalent experience in a human services/social services or behavioral/mental/public health program which requires a high level of independent judgment to provide complex administrative, social, vocational, or employment training services which includes: interpreting and applying rules and regulations; preparing complex studies and reports; performing assessments or evaluations; and developing case plans or making recommendations/decisions. Option B: One (1) year of full-time equivalent experience performing research of laws, rules, regulations, or policies in order to evaluate compliance/quality assurance or assess and develop organizational training needs Option C: One (1) year of full-time equivalent experience performing program development or high level administrative activities such as researching laws, regulations, and policies; conducting/preparing administrative studies/reports; developing policies and procedures; and implementing new programs and program changes.

Option D: One (1) year of full-time equivalent experience in a California Department of Social Services agency performing duties equivalent to an Eligibility Worker III or higher.

Note: Eligibility Worker II experience is not considered qualifying.
*Applications will be accepted from individuals who are in the process of completing their final semester or quarter of school, and who, upon graduation, will meet Option 2 of the minimum requirements. A letter from the school indicating degree and anticipated graduation date must accompany the application.

Desired Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have experience demonstrating strong analytical and communication skills, project planning and development, program/procedural impact analysis, working with various computer programs and software applications, and the ability to work with all levels of stakeholders. A Bachelor's degree in a qualifying field of study is highly desirable.

Selection Process
Application Procedure:


To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 PM on the filing deadline.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.
It is to your advantage to be explicit in your responses on the application and supplemental questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will advance in the process.
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application.
Evaluation Procedure:

An online examination and writing exercisewill be administered to assess your knowledge and skills on the following topics:
Program Specialist Concepts
Analysis and Problem Solving
Written Communication
Details of the online assessment process will be emailed once the recruitment has closed. All communications regarding the remainder of the selection process will be via email. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.

Important: The ability to take pre-employment tests online is a privilege. Please do not take advantage of this benefit. Also, be aware that applicants may be required to take parallel versions of these tests in a proctored setting in order to confirm their identities as the original test takers.
Additional Information and Resources:
If you need technical assistance , review the or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at View phone number on click.appcast.io . Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the within one week of the recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the


For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process
Administrative Services Unit

San Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.


Please review the appropriate * for more information


Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at View phone number on click.appcast.io or visit the for more detailed information.

*Retirement benefits subject to change.
01



INSTRUCTIONS: The information on the Application and your responses to the following Supplemental Questions will be used in a determination of minimum qualifications and special skills . Accurate responses should be provided for each question, and all experience must be clearly detailed in the employment history section of your application in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

02



QUALIFICATIONS: Indicate the option to which you meet the minimum requirements.

• Option 1 with Experience Option A
• Option 1 with Experience Option B
• Option 1 with Experience Option C
• Option 1 with Experience Option D
• Option 2 with Experience Option A
• Option 2 with Experience Option B
• Option 2 with Experience Option C
• Option 2 with Experience Option D
• N/A - None of the above

03



QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE: Indicate the name of your employer(s), dates of employment, position title(s) and duties performed where you gained your qualifying experience. Experience must be clearly listed in the "Work Experience" section of your application. If no qualifying experience, indicate "N/A."
04



EXPERIENCE: Do you have experience in a behavioral/mental/public health or human services/social services program?

• Yes
• No

05



DEGREE : Do you have an Associate's degree (Option 1) or a Bachelor's Degree (Option 2) or higher in behavioral/social science, business/public/health care administration, liberal arts or education ?

• Yes
• No

06



EDUCATION: Indicate the highest level of education you have COMPLETED in behavioral/social science, business/public/health care administration, liberal arts or education.

• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree
• High School
• None of the above

07



ATTACHMENTS: I have attached a copy of my transcripts or degree to my online application.

• Yes
• No
• N/A - I have a completed degree in a qualifying field

08



DEPARTMENTAL/PROGRAM EXPERIENCE: Some positions require special experience in the departments/programs listed below. Indicate the departments/programs in which you have 2 years of experience, obtained within the last five (5) years, by checking the appropriate box.

• Transitional Assistance Department
• Transitional Assistance Department/CalWORKs
• Transitional Assistance Department/CalFresh
• Transitional Assistance Department/MediCal
• Transitional Assistance Department/Welfare-to-Work
• Transitional Assistance Department/Foster Care
• Adult vocational or employment/training programs including Workforce Investment Act
• Adult services, long-term care service, home or community based services for a geriatric and/or disabled adult population
• Children's services including Adoptions, Foster Care, Child Protective Services, Children's Networking or related social service programs
• Child Support Services programs
• Behavioral/Mental Health programs or services including Prevention and Intervention, Community Crisis Services, etc.
• Public Health programs or services
• Preschool Services
• Other
• None of the above

09



SPECIAL SKILLS: Some positions require special experience in the areas listed below. Indicate the areas in which you have ongoing experience by checking the appropriate box.

• Community Relations/Outreach
• Contract development, procurement and monitoring
• Employee development including development, planning and/or delivery of training
• Grant writing, procurement and monitoring
• Program policy and/or procedure development
• Project management including developing project plans, leading/coordinating project groups and managing project time frames
• Researching and analyzing legislation, State and Federal mandates, or other regulations
• Technical writing including policies and procedures, manuals, requests for proposals, reports and recommendations
• Not Applicable

10



COMPILING AND ORGANIZING DATA: Describe your experience compiling and organizing statistical data. If you do not possess this experience, indicate "N/A."
11



METHODOLOGY AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Describe your experience using various methodologies to perform statistical analysis. Be sure to include experience interpreting results and preparing analytical reports. If you do not possess this experience, indicate "N/A."
12



COMPUTER EXPERIENCE: Describe your experience utilizing Microsoft Excel. In your description include your skill level and the duties you performed using the program. Be sure to include details of the duties performed that will demonstrate your skills using Excel. If you do not possess this experience, indicate "N/A."
13



Applicant Acknowledgement - Notification via email: As part of our efforts to increase efficiency and promote conservation of resources, human resources uses email to communicate with applicants. Therefore, all future communications regarding this recruitment, including applicant status and testing notifications, will be made via email. Each applicant needs their own email address. We strongly encourage you, as an applicant, to ensure that the email address you have provided us with your application is current, secure, confidential, and readily accessible to you. Adjust Spam and/or other filters so that our emails are accepted. Please carefully read any notices that we send you and follow any instructions provided in a timely manner. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails (i.e., for the non-delivery of our emails or if you fail to check your e-mail on a timely basis).

• I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the above.

14
**ATTENTION GMAIL USERS**

We have become aware of an increase in Gmail's spam filter sensitivity. Due to this change, it is possible that emails coming from San Bernardino County Human Resources may be marked as spam and will not make it into your Gmail inbox.

For your convenience, a step-by-step guide to create and apply filters within Gmail is available in the attached PDF. Once downloaded, follow the instructions so that you will receive future emails from San Bernardino County Human Resources.

Note: If you apply the filters and still do not receive emails from San Bernardino County Human Resources you can check your (Neogov) account inbox. All notifications will appear there.

• I understand

15



Applicant Acknowledgement - Application Complete: Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and supplemental questionnaire. Please be sure to review all information provided prior to submitting it as you cannot update or revise it once submitted. Your submitted application will be reviewed and evaluated as is. Please do not refer to a resume or other documentation in lieu of completing the employment history section or responding to the supplemental questions; they will not be reviewed or considered.
Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email confirmation will be sent to the email address listed on your application. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.

• I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and understand that I will not be able to update or revise any part of it once submitted.

Required Question