Careers in Community Development

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in community development? Here's an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have entry level and internship opportunities that will interest you.

See companies with community development careers or search the latest community development jobs and internships.

Photo Credit: Flickr user Mosman Council

Community development is a way of working with local communities to build communities and provide individuals with the skills needed to bring about change. A community developer may do this by creating new initiatives to bring a community together, provide community members with skills such as literacy or work skills, or reduce a problem in the community such as crime or poverty.

A job in community development can lead you to working with a city or neighborhood’s planning programs or a nonprofit striving to effect change. Some things you might do include:

Research the issues that need to be tackled in the community
Create programs that tackle these issues
Meet with community members during events
Create reports on community initiatives

A bachelor’s degree is usually required for community development positions, but volunteering and interning is a great and easy way to get started–and may lead you to a job without a degree. Besides a degree, creativity, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a knowledge of the local community are also required.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Community Development

Doorways to Dreams Fund - D2D Fund is an Allston, MA non-profit that is using innovative ideas to "increase the financial security and opportunity of low- and moderate-income households."

See the complete Doorways to Dreams Fund profile

Job Title	Location
Innovation Manager	Allston, MA

See all 1 job postings

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center - Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is an SF non-profit that helps people "achieve financial self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship.”

See the complete Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center profile

Job Title	Location
Program Coordinator	Richmond, VA
Program Associate	East Palo Alto, CA
Staff Research Associate I (9613C), #17622	Berkeley, CA
Staff Research Associate I 9613C)	Berkeley, CA
Human Resources Assistant \| A Non-profit Organization	San Francisco, CA

See all 5 job postings

The San Francisco Foundation - The San Francisco Foundation is a non-profit founded in 1948 “to pull the community together to create pride and unity and improve quality of life” in the Bay Area.

See the complete The San Francisco Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Technical Management Consultant	Atlanta, GA
Account Executive (Sales Executive)	New York, NY
Development Officer, Corporate and Foundation Relations	San Francisco, CA
Regulatory Counsel	Provo, UT
Product Manager- Core Site	Provo, UT

See all 1,601 job postings

City Parks Foundation - City Parks Foundation is a New York, NY based non-profit that creates “programs in parks throughout all five boroughs of New York City.”

See the complete City Parks Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
CarMax Foundation Internship	Richmond, VA
Principal Application Developer	Florham Park, NJ
Embedded Software Engineer	Lewistown, PA
STAFFING ANALYST - Per Diem	Santa Cruz, CA
Chicago Fire Foundation-Community Relations College Internship	Bridgeview, IL

See all 279 job postings

Seattle Tilth - Seattle Tilth aims “to inspire and educate people to safeguard our natural resources while building an equitable and sustainable local food system.”

See the complete Seattle Tilth profile

Job Title	Location
Director of Community Engagement	Seattle, WA
Master Recycler Composter Program Outreach Educator	Seattle, WA

See all 2 job postings

Food & Friends - Food & Friends is a Washington, DC based non-profit that cares for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other illnesses by preparing and delivering meals.

See the complete Food & Friends profile

Job Title	Location
Data Scientist	Palo Alto, CA
Associate Software Engineer in Test	New York, NY
Software Engineer Intern	New York, NY
Software Development Aggregation	Austin, TX
Training, Communications and Field Support Internship	Owings Mills, MD

See all 9,801 job postings

Educational Alliance - The Educational Alliance is a New York, NY based community organization that “currently serves 50,000 New Yorkers annually via 39 programs.

See the complete Educational Alliance profile

Job Title	Location
Communications Coordinator	Crofton, MD
ProPartners Financial Reporting and Accounting Specialist	Bloomington, IL
Experienced Outside Sales Consultant	Upper Darby, PA
Programmer / Analyst	Elon, NC
Experienced Outside Sales Representative	Bloomsburg, PA

See all 1,220 job postings

Smart Growth America - Smart Growth America is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that believes “smart growth solutions support thriving businesses and jobs."

See the complete Smart Growth America profile

Job Title	Location
Financial Services Solutions Architect - San Francisco	San Francisco, CA
AMI Project Manager	Chicago, IL
Intermediate Software Engineer - Grand Rapids, MI	Grand Rapids, MI
Technical Program Manager	Redwood City, CA
Director of Partner Marketing	Mountain View, CA

See all 988 job postings

Street Soccer USA - Street Soccer USA is a New York, NY based non-profit that uses soccer “to get homeless men, women, and youth off the streets."

See the complete Street Soccer USA profile

Job Title	Location
Dean of Graduate Studies and Research	Carson, CA
Dean, Undergraduate Studies	Carson, CA
Health Sciences	Carson, CA
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Humanities	Carson, CA
AVP for Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (2331)	Dominguez, CA

See all 3 job postings

Heifer International - Heifer International is a Little Rock, AR based non-profit that enables people to “donate animals to poor countries.”

See the complete Heifer International profile

Job Title	Location
UX/UI Designer	Little Rock, AR
PAID Internship Marketing Fundraising Web Platform to Nonprofits	New York, NY
Make a Difference! We’re ChangingThePresent.org Work in NYC or Virtually	United States
Assistant/Associate Professor - Optimization of Dairy Production Systems	Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
Facilities Maintenance Technician	Little Rock, AR

See all 2 job postings

Vittana - Vittana is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that is using microfinance to bring education to the developing world.

See the complete Vittana profile

No current job openings.

WhyHunger - WhyHunger is a New York, NY based non-profit that is trying to fix the problem of food insecurity in the U.S. and across the world.

See the complete WhyHunger profile

No current job openings.

International Food Policy Research Institute - International Food Policy Research Institute is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to end hunger and poverty, and they're hiring.

See the complete International Food Policy Research Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Clinical Research Associate II 603564 (NCI) Job	Frederick, MD
Clinical Research Associate II 603959 (Nci) Job	Frederick, MD
Clinical Research Associate II 603564 (NCI) Job	Frederick, MD
Clinical Research Associate II 603564 (NCI) Job	Frederick, MD
Housekeeping Aide - SpringHill Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport/Research Triangle Park (14000DQY)	Durham, NC

See all 64 job postings

The Humane Society of the United States - The Humane Society of the United States is the country's largest animal protection organization, and they're hiring.

See the complete The Humane Society of the United States profile

Job Title	Location
Associate Editor	Gaithersburg, MD
Animal Caregiver I	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Small Animal General Practice Rotating Internship	Oceanside, CA
Administrative Assistant	Gaithersburg, MD
Junior Sales Associate	Brooklyn, NY

See all 167 job postings

American Planning Association - Ever consider a career in planning? The American Planning Association can help you get started.

See the complete American Planning Association profile

Job Title	Location
Stroke Coordinator II	Springfield, MO
RN II (Emergency Services-Main)	Houston, TX
Editor, Applied Sciences	New York, NY
Occupational Therapist / Therapy (OT) Travel - Home Health	Livermore, CA
RN II Medical Surgical Unit	Houston, TX

See all 6,885 job postings

Institute for Transportation and Development Policy - If you're excited by the intersection of transportation and international development, then consider a career with ITDP.

See the complete Institute for Transportation and Development Policy profile

Job Title	Location
Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President	Chambersburg, PA
Communications Maintainer/Tech	Richmond, VA
Freight Conductor	Buffalo, NY
Program Assistant	Wellesley, MA
Office Administrator/marketing Assistant	Atlanta, GA

See all 272 job postings

Sacramento Tree Foundation - Do you love trees? If so, then a career with the Sacramento Tree Foundation might be a great fit for you.

See the complete Sacramento Tree Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Morning Kindergarten Teacher	Orangevale, CA
Neurology Physician Opportunity	Red Bluff, CA

See all 1 job postings

Grameen America - If you like what Grameen America is doing to build a microfinance program in the United States, take a look at their job opportunities.

See the complete Grameen America profile

Job Title	Location
Behavioral Health Specialist	Jackson Heights, NY
Bilingual Health Coach	Queens, NY
Bilingual Social Worker	Queens, NY
Grameen America AmeriCorps VISTA	New York, NY
Senior Manager, Government Relations	Washington, DC

See all 14 job postings

charity: water - If you’re moved by the the charity: water mission then you’ll want to check out their amazing career opportunities.

See the complete charity: water profile

No current job openings.

Innovations for Poverty Action - If you’re analytically minded and want to put your skills towards erasing poverty, then Innovations for Poverty Action would be a great place for you to work.

See the complete Innovations for Poverty Action profile

Job Title	Location
Endeavor Insight Summer Intern	United States
Desktop Engineering Intern Support Associate-Indianapolis	Indianapolis, IN
Special Assistant (Multiple Offices)	Camden, NJ
IT Business Continuity Intern Support Associate-Indianapolis	Indianapolis, IN
Program Coordinator	Watertown, MA

See all 71 job postings

Mobilize.org - Mobilize.org isn’t as much focused on specific issues as they are focus on equipping our generation to engage in the political process and make things happen.

See the complete Mobilize.org profile

No current job openings.

Samaritan’s Purse - Samaritan's Purse is a Boone, NC based non-profit that serves people through Emergency Relief Programs and Community Development and Vocational Programs.

See the complete Samaritan’s Purse profile

Job Title	Location
Intern Relations Coordinator/Human Resources	Boone, NC
Videographer / Broadcast	Boone, NC
Associate Administrative Assistant/ Operation Christmas Child	Aurora, CO
Manager, Community Relations / Operation Christmas Child	Boone, NC
Program Coordinator, WASH	Washington

See all 45 job postings

Share Our Strength - If you like what Share Our Strength is doing to end childhood hunger, check out their job opportunities.

See the complete Share Our Strength profile

Job Title	Location
Family History Intern	Provo, UT
Mtg Loan Originator	Lake Charles, LA
Product Manager	Colorado Springs, CO
Director, Presales	New York, NY
Financial Sales Professional	Pittsburgh, PA

See all 9,401 job postings

Seedco - If you want to help people find jobs, grow businesses, and improve their communities, consider a job with Seedco, a New York City based non-profit.

See the complete Seedco profile

Job Title	Location
Program Associate	New York, NY
Program Coordinator, Fatherhood Program, St. Nicks Alliance – Workforce Development – North Brooklyn	United States
Grant Writer/Program Associate, Program Development	New York, NY
Development Coordinator	New York, NY
Bilingual AmeriCorps Member	New York, NY

See all 13 job postings

Arthritis Foundation - Arthritis Foundation is a Atlanta, GA based non-profit organization that “helps people take control of arthritis" by providing a myriad of services.

See the complete Arthritis Foundation profile

Job Title	Location
Community Navigator - Community Education	Lihue, HI
Development Assistant	Denver, CO
Health Promotions and Communications Intern (Year Round)	West Allis, WI
Special Events Intern	Madison, WI
VP Corporate and Field Development \| New York	New York, NY

See all 50 job postings

GRID Alternatives - GRID Alternatives is taking on pollution, poverty, and unemployment all at once. If you want to be part of that mission, check out their Jobs page.

See the complete GRID Alternatives profile

Job Title	Location
Manager, Marketing Products & Programs (Mass Market)	Valhalla, NY
Legal Intern Not Classified	Bismarck, ND
Supervisor, System Market Applications	Sacramento, CA
Database Administrator (Corporate/Consumer Markets)	Hartford, CT
Marketing Communications Intern, C&I Marketing	Boston, MA

See all 251 job postings

Foundation for Sustainable Development - If you’re excited about what Foundation for Sustainable Development is doing, then you should check out their Jobs and Fellowships.

See the complete Foundation for Sustainable Development profile

Job Title	Location
Tester	Glasgow, KY
Chief Development Officer (12+ yrs experience)	Fairfield County, CT
Project Associate	Oakland, CA
Grassroots Field Organizer	Frederick, MD
West Virginia Chapter Executive Director	Morgantown, WV

See all 818 job postings

Bread for the City - If you like what Bread for the City is all about, then you should check out their jobs on Idealist.

See the complete Bread for the City profile

Job Title	Location
Physician Western Massachusetts - General Surgeon opportunity	Massachusetts
Physician Superb Employed Position With An Outstanding Multi-specialty Group In South Central Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Physician Northern Illinois hospital is looking to build their General Surgery program	Illinois
Bread Baker	Long Island City, NY
Food Service Tech I (Part Time)	Miles City, MT

See all 241 job postings

Transportation Alternatives - If you like what you see in their Advocacy Campaigns, then you’ll want to head over to the Transportation Alternatives Jobs page.

See the complete Transportation Alternatives profile

Job Title	Location
Transportation Capacity Planner	Dallas, TX
Structural Engineer Intern - Bridge and Tunnel -- Summer	Miami, FL
Transportation Planner	Philadelphia, PA
In Home Support Staff MHRT/1 MHRT/c	Portland, ME
Transportation Planner III	Denver, CO

See all 5,045 job postings

Room to Read - If Room to Read sounds like an organization that you could be a part of, take a look at their Jobs page for some of their exciting opportunities.

See the complete Room to Read profile

Job Title	Location
Program Analyst II	Washington, DC
OR Tech	Roswell, NM
Regulatory Affairs Associate	East Taunton, MA
Registered Nurse Level III Labor & Delivery Part Time Desert Medical Center	Mesa, AZ
Dental Assistant	Salina, KS

See all 25,963 job postings

One Economy Corporation - If you’d like to be a part of One Economy, then head over to their Jobs page to see what's available.

See the complete One Economy Corporation profile

Job Title	Location
Global Procurement Internship	Pennsylvania
Program Manager - Workforce Training Fund	Boston, MA
Audit Intern	New York, NY
Business Development Representative	Minnetonka, MN
Economic Development Intern	Baltimore, MD

See all 239 job postings

Sister Cities International - If reading about Sister Cities International gets you excited, check out their Jobs page and their Youth Ambassador Program Coordinator position.

See the complete Sister Cities International profile

Job Title	Location
Intern, Horizon Air Chief Pilot's Office	Portland, OR
Intern, Flight Operations Training	Portland, OR
Marketing/Social Media Intern	New York, NY
Digital Marketing Internship	Washington, DC
Choice and Rights Intern	New York, NY

See all 57 job postings

Nourish International - There’s something special about non-profits that start on college campuses. Nourish International is one, and they're hiring.

See the complete Nourish International profile

Job Title	Location
Executive Assistant to the EVP, Human Resources	Philadelphia, PA
Maintenance Mechanic - Albany Bread and Roll Plant	Albany, NY
P/T Bakery Outlet Clerk - Watertwon NY	Watertown, NY
Distribution Supervisor	Albany, NY
Shipper (8953)	Brodheadsville, PA

See all 35 job postings

Visions in Action - Visions in Action is a non-profit that works in four key program areas: Food Security, Education, Health, and International Exchange, and they're hiring.

See the complete Visions in Action profile

Job Title	Location
Team Coordinator	Germantown, NY
SR. SEARCH MARKETING WEB ANALYST: SEM, PPC & SEO	Jefferson Valley-Yorktown, NY
Energy Specialist-C&I-MA	Massachusetts
Culinary and Fresh Foods Manager	Rockland, MA
Corporate Account Manager	Hudson, NY

See all 69,391 job postings

Citizen Effect - If you like the idea of “focusing on small, but high impact projects,” then you should check out Citizen Effect’s jobs.

See the complete Citizen Effect profile

Job Title	Location
Internship/Co-Op Summer 2014 (Cape Canaveral)	Cape Canaveral, FL
Software Engineering Intern-Senior (Undergraduate Level)	Riverdale, MD
Computer Science Intern	Dulles, VA
Supply Chain Master Planner/Scheduler	Marlboro, MA
Consumer & Market Knowledge - Student Program - Consumer Strategy Workshop - Temporary	Cincinnati, OH

See all 1,094 job postings

Location Labs - If you want to dig deep into the world of location-based services, then a job at Location Labs would be well worth considering.

See the complete Location Labs profile

Job Title	Location
Field Chemist - West Sacramento, CA	West Sacramento, CA
Associate Veterinarian	Turnersville, NJ
Physical Therapist Assistant	Torrington, WY
Software Engineer - Big Data Systems	Emeryville, CA
Laundry Associate	Torrington, WY

See all 4,062 job postings

Global Visionaries - Global Visionaries only has one job posted in their Seattle office, but it seems perfect for a new grad—it's a Development and Executive Assistant position.

See the complete Global Visionaries profile

Job Title	Location
Product Manager	Stamford, CT
Marketing Manager	Houston, TX
Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS)	Hibbing, MN
Marketing Intern	Canton, MA
Director, Online Employer Marketing	Austin, TX

See all 1,270 job postings

The Urban Institute - What I really like about The Urban Institute is that they are tirelessly focused on finding the facts, not promoting political opinions. It's about the research

See the complete The Urban Institute profile

Job Title	Location
Humanities/Social Studies Teacher (Grades 5-8)	Brooklyn, NY
Associate, Major Donors & Special Events	Washington, DC
Middle School Math Teacher (Grades 6-8)	Brooklyn, NY
Community Development Extension Educator (Assistant or Associate rank)	Bethel, CT
Research Assistant	Washington, DC

See all 671 job postings

Root Capital - If you’re excited about international development, but also like the free market approach to investment, then you should check out Root Capital’s Jobs page.

See the complete Root Capital profile

Job Title	Location
Investment Risk Analyst	Boston, MA
Asset Allocation Analyst (Radnor/Boston)	Boston, MA
Quality Assurance Lead	Boston, MA
Financial Analyst - [CO]	Edmond, OK
Instrument Equipment Advisor	Rosemount, MN

See all 2,524 job postings

Kid Power - If you’re intrigued by Kid Power's programs, you should check out their job opportunities on Idealist.

See the complete Kid Power profile

Job Title	Location
Kid Zone Associate	Edmond, OK
Associate Producer Intern, Gaming	Emeryville, CA
Product Marketing Intern, Gaming	Emeryville, CA
Senior RF Design Engineer	Cedar Rapids, IA
Art Intern	Emeryville, CA

See all 383 job postings

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