Program Specialist Job in Atlanta, GA (CDC – Internal) 2026

⏰ 11 min read

Job Overview

This listing is for a Program Specialist role within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Readiness and Response, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Before reading further, it’s important to know this posting is internal to the agency, meaning it is only open to current CDC federal career or career-conditional employees, along with certain CTAP, disabled veteran, Public Health Service officer, or disability-eligible candidates.

If you are not a current CDC employee or do not fall into one of those specific eligibility categories, you will not be able to apply for this particular announcement. We are covering it here so CDC employees and eligible candidates have a clear, complete picture of the role, the qualifications, and what to expect.

For those who are eligible, this role centers on HR liaison work, workforce planning support, and administrative program analysis, offering telework eligibility as determined by agency policy.

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Important: this announcement closes on August 12, 2026, or as soon as 50 applications are received, whichever comes first.

About the Employer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates under the Department of Health and Human Services and is the nation’s leading public health agency. This role sits within the CDC’s Office of Readiness and Response (ORR), which focuses on preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

The agency has not publicly detailed extensive background beyond what is shared in the official announcement, so readers are encouraged to visit the CDC’s official careers resources directly for a fuller picture of the agency’s mission and culture.

Position Summary

Here is a quick snapshot of the basics for this opening, straight from the official announcement:

This is a permanent, full-time position, and the agency indicates there are a few vacancies available at this location. As noted above, it is open only to current CDC employees and specific eligibility categories, not the general public.

Key Responsibilities

As a Program Specialist, your work would include providing personnel management liaison services, such as coordinating personnel actions, monitoring recruitment and staffing activities, tracking hiring actions, and advising managers on HR policies, procedures, and automated HR systems.

You would also support position management and workforce planning by assisting managers with position descriptions, classification requests, organizational structure reviews, workforce forecasting, and succession planning. Another part of the role involves administering performance management activities, including monitoring appraisal cycles, coordinating awards and recognition programs, and supporting ethics and workforce wellness initiatives.

Finally, you would conduct administrative and program analyses by researching issues, gathering and evaluating data, identifying trends, and preparing reports, briefings, and correspondence to support management decision-making.

Required Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level, performing all of the following:

• Coordinating and tracking personnel actions: Monitoring staffing activities, reviewing personnel documentation for accuracy, and preparing reports supporting hiring and workforce requirements.
• Advising managers on staffing and workforce planning: Including position descriptions, classification actions, and succession planning.
• Supporting workforce planning and position management: Monitoring organizational structures, forecasting staffing needs, and recommending position management solutions.
• Supporting performance management and employee relations: Assisting with performance appraisal processes, awards administration, and documentation for employee relations matters.

Preferred Qualifications

The employer has not published a separate list of preferred or desired qualifications beyond the specialized experience described above.

Required Skills

Based on the assessment criteria, the agency evaluates candidates on attention to detail, customer service, decision making, flexibility, information management, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, program management, reading comprehension, reasoning, self-management, and teamwork.

In practice, this means the role rewards someone with strong HR process knowledge, the ability to communicate clearly with managers and staff, and comfort managing multiple administrative and analytical responsibilities at once.

Salary and Compensation

According to the official posting, this position pays between $112,556 and $146,325 per year. The pay scale and grade for this role is listed as GS 13, with no further promotion potential noted.

For readers unfamiliar with the federal pay system, the “GS” scale is the General Schedule used to set pay for most federal civilian employees. The agency has not broken this figure down into hourly or weekly amounts, so the annual range below is the only compensation detail that has been officially shared.

Eligibility Requirements

This is the most important section for this particular posting. Before applying, confirm you meet the basic eligibility conditions the agency has set for this role, which come directly from the official job announcement.

Employee Benefits

The employer states that a career with the U.S. government comes with a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees and their families access to a range of benefits designed to support a rewarding federal career. The agency has not published a fully itemized list of benefits within this announcement.

Benefit eligibility depends on the type of position you hold and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Since this specific role is listed as full-time and permanent, it would generally be expected to carry standard federal employee benefit eligibility.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position that is telework eligible as determined by agency policy, though it is not classified as a fully remote job. The posting also notes that travel of 25% or less may be expected for this role.

Work Location

The position is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with the agency noting a few vacancies are available at this location. The employer specifically states that relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for this role.

Hiring Process

After you apply, your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials, your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of required assessments, including a USA Hire technical assessment with a minimum cut score. An HR Specialist will review your resume to confirm you meet the required specialized experience, and you must also participate in a structured interview to be considered.

Depending on your application category (competitive merit promotion/VEOA, or noncompetitive), the highest-rated or all qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency. The agency states it expects to make a selection within 45 days of the announcement’s closing date.

How to Apply

This position can be applied for directly through USAJOBS, but only by candidates in the eligible categories listed above. Here is how the official process works, according to the employer:

Step 1
Confirm you meet one of the specific eligibility categories: current CDC employee, CTAP, 30% disabled veteran, PHS officer/candidate, or individual with a disability.

Step 2
Click “Apply Online” on the official USAJOBS announcement to create an account or log into your existing one.

Step 3
Prepare a resume that does not exceed two pages and clearly supports your responses to the application questionnaire.

Step 4
Complete the occupational questionnaire and submit your SF-50 or other required supporting documents.

Step 5
Click the “Submit My Answers” button to submit your application package.

Step 6
Watch for an email notification about whether you need to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Step 7
Submit your complete application package by 11:59 PM EST on August 12, 2026, or before the 50-application cap is reached.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

Before anything else, double-check that you actually qualify to apply, since this announcement is internal to CDC and specific eligibility categories. Applying without meeting one of these categories will not result in consideration.

If you are eligible, describe your experience clearly and specifically in your resume, including exact employment dates, since the agency states it will not make assumptions about your experience. Avoid copying and pasting duties or specialized experience language directly from the announcement into your resume.

Since this posting may close early once 50 applications are received, submit your complete application, including your SF-50, as soon as possible rather than waiting until close to the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the general public apply for this position?
No. This announcement is internal to CDC and limited to current CDC employees and specific eligibility categories such as CTAP, 30% disabled veterans, PHS officers, and individuals with disabilities.

2. Where is this job located?
The position is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with a few vacancies listed.

3. What is the salary range for this role?
The official salary range is $112,556 to $146,325 per year, at the GS 13 pay grade.

4. Is this a remote position?
No, though it is telework eligible as determined by agency policy.

5. How much experience do I need?
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in HR liaison and program analysis work.

6. Will relocation expenses be covered?
No. The official posting states relocation expenses are not reimbursed.

7. Is a security clearance required?
The position lists a security clearance category of “Other” and is classified as Moderate Risk, with financial disclosure required.

8. When does this announcement close?
It closes on August 12, 2026, or sooner if 50 applications are received first.

9. Is an assessment required?
Yes. A USA Hire technical assessment is required, along with a structured interview for those referred.

10. How do I apply?
Eligible candidates apply directly through USAJOBS by clicking “Apply Online” on the official announcement and submitting the required documents.

Final Thoughts

This Program Specialist opening may appeal to current CDC employees and other eligible candidates who have HR liaison and workforce planning experience and want to step into a GS-13 role supporting the Office of Readiness and Response. Since this posting is internal, general job seekers outside the eligible categories will not be able to apply.

Eligible candidates should review their qualifications against the requirements above and gather documentation like their SF-50 early. Readers should always verify the latest information directly through the official USAJOBS announcement before applying, since hiring details can be updated or the posting can close early.

Official Application Information