Program Specialist

CDC Foundation

2d•$55,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Specialist (PS) implements output-driven public health projects in domestic. Implementation is done in collaboration with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), donors and other internal and external partners. With discretion and professionalism, the PS is responsible for the coordinated management and support of projects directed toward the CDC Foundation’s strategic and business objectives. The Program Specialist will work to support the execution of domestic maternal health projects across various topic areas, including but not limited to, communication support for Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, electronic case record for surveillance of birth defects, and data management initiatives. The PS will support the team with administrative implementation of these projects such as establishing and monitoring contracts, managing deliverables, and taking detailed and thorough notes for project tracking and reporting purposes. The role will interface with many external partners as part of a team providing technical assistance. This role will help the team stay organized, keep track of project metrics, and maintain good records for reporting. The PS will also work collaboratively with teams across CDC’s various Divisions to provide operational support to implement and expand nationwide efforts to improve maternal and neonatal care and outcomes. The Program Specialist will work a hybrid schedule, working in our Atlanta, GA office at least one day a week. The starting salary range is $55,000-$70,000 and will be based on experience and qualifications. The CDC Foundation offers an attractive benefits package. This is a full-time grant funded position through September 29, 2026.

Requirements

Master’s degree completed or nearing completion in public health or related field from an accredited college or university required.
Minimum of 1 year of public health or related professional experience required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing, writing and editing complex documents such as reports and briefing documents; and concise presentation of information using data and science to drive messaging.
Superior project management capabilities, organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong technical skills including word processing, spreadsheet, and database management.
Skills in project management and budget management preferred.
At least intermediate level experience navigating federal grants management.
Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and software packages used to manage day-to-day business activities such as program management and budgeting preferred.
Ability to make decisions and seek advice to achieve project strategic outputs.
Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; resourceful and efficient; collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, donors and partners.
Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels both internally and externally.

Nice To Haves

Maternal and child health experience preferred but not required.
Experience managing partnerships with community-based organizations and/or state agencies preferred but not required.
Skills in project management and budget management preferred.
Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and software packages used to manage day-to-day business activities such as program management and budgeting preferred.

Responsibilities

Executes, monitors and closes projects that span internal departments, organizations, geographic regions and cultures for the designated division.
Fosters and maintains working relationships with subject matter experts, donors, field employees and partners aimed at efficient and effective project implementation.
Prepares drafts of narrative and financial project-related reports or updates to donors in collaboration with internal and external partners.
Schedules and helps moderate meetings and calls, prepares meeting materials in collaboration with internal and external partners, takes meeting notes and minutes and conducts necessary follow up.
Serves as project liaison for and between internal and external partners.
Contributes to the development of project-related goals, objectives, operating policies, guidelines, standards and priorities to ensure consistency with departmental standard operating procedures.
Prepares and monitors project-related contracts and agreements.
Supports CDC Foundation colleagues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with internal and external partners.
Travels domestically or internationally as needed to support the designated projects and other CDC Foundation team members (up to 10 percent annually).
Participates in and/or supports special projects and other duties as assigned.