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

Cradles to Crayons - Cradles to Crayons is a Brighton, MA based non-profit that is focused on “providing to children ages 0 to 12 some of the most important basics of life—free of charge.”

See the complete Cradles to Crayons profile

Job Title	Location
Software Developer	Boston, MA
Vice President / Director of Marketing	Brighton, MA

See all 2 job postings

Mission Asset Fund - Mission Asset Fund is a San Francisco non-profit that's “transforming the financial services sector so that all hardworking families have a shot at achieving their dreams.”

See the complete Mission Asset Fund profile

Job Title	Location
Insurance Sales/ Financial Advisor	Melville, NY
Private Client Summer Internship	Chicago, IL
Equity Analyst Intern	Chicago, IL
Full Stack Engineer (Django, Python)	New York, NY
VP, Global Brand and Marketing Communications	New York, NY

See all 859 job postings

Wholesome Wave - Wholesome Wave is a Bridgeport, CT based non-profit with a mission “to empower people in underserved urban and rural communities to make healthier food choices.”

See the complete Wholesome Wave profile

No current job openings.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - LISC is an NYC based non-profit that connects "local organizations and community leaders with resources to revitalize neighborhoods and improve quality of life.”

See the complete Local Initiatives Support Corporation profile

Job Title	Location
Engineering Assistant - Research & Development	Rogers, CT
Iowa Innovation Corp: CEO and Regional Innovation Program Director	Des Moines, IA
Chief Development Officer	Washington, DC
Tax Senior Manager - Partner Track Opportunity!	Amherst, NY
Veterinarian (Doctor)	Lewisville, TX

See all 3,817 job postings

City Blossoms - City Blossoms is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is “dedicated to kid-driven, community engaging, creative green spaces.”

See the complete City Blossoms profile

Job Title	Location
Hospitalist - Physician - (Hospital Medicine) Locum Tenens	Macon, GA
Physical Therapist - Skilled - (PT - Skilled)	Macon, GA
Assistant Professor	Washington
Emergency Medicine Physician - (ER Doctor, EM Doctor) Locum Tenens	Macon, GA
Physiatrist - Physician - (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - PM&R) Locum Tenens	Macon, GA

See all 55 job postings

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
Senior Director, Strategic Operations and Talent	Boston, 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 Assistant, Renaissance Marin	San Rafael, CA

See all 1 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
Quality Assurance Analyst	Seattle, WA
Vice President Marketing	San Francisco, CA
Executive Director of Market Development (Sales)	Bakersfield, CA
Family Practice Physician - Permanent: Family Practice or Med/Ped Need in Resort Area of Northern California!	California
Product Leader - Product Managment (Head of Marketplace)	San Francisco, CA

See all 1,589 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
Executive Director	Amarillo, TX
Summer 2015 Education Internship - Museum Ambassador Program (Unpaid)	San Francisco, CA
College of Business: Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of the Center for Advising, Develop	Eau Claire, WI
Vice President – Program Officer – Global Philanthropy - NY, NY	New York, NY
Early Childhood Education Large Center Director / Assistant Director	Denver, CO

See all 331 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
Youth Garden Educator at Interagency Academy	Seattle, WA
Garden Hotline 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
Sales Director for Yodle for Brand Networks	Austin, TX
Sales Representative	Austin, TX
Site Reliability Engineer / Dev Ops	Chicago, IL
Restaurant Manager	Kosciusko County, IN
Pizza Hut Delivery Driver	Irvine, KY

See all 9,077 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
Account Director / VP	Stamford, CT
Certified Genetic Counselor - Perinatology (Days / Part Time)	Phoenix, AZ
Development Director	Shoreline, WA
RN - Education Specialist - Education Oncology	Phoenix, AZ
Speech Therapists - Full-time - Champaign, IL - License Required	Champaign, IL

See all 1,441 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
Business Development (Software Sales)	Hunt Valley, MD
Financial Services Solutions Architect - San Francisco	San Francisco, CA
Managing Director, Cost Management	Sacramento, CA
Senior UX Designer	New Jersey
Instructional Video Production Intern	New York, NY

See all 1,332 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
Communications/Journalism (2533)	Dominguez, CA
Part Time Gymnastics Instructor	New York, NY
Letters/Humanities (2565)	Dominguez, CA
Natural Sciences (2527)	Dominguez, CA
Social/Behavioral Sciences (2535)	Dominguez, CA

See all 5 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
Account Executive, Software Sales	San Diego, CA
General Manager	Little Rock, AR
Senior Account Executive, Non-Profits	San Diego, CA
Senior Account Executive, Cloud Solutions	San Diego, CA

See all 4 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
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM ASSOCIATE	Washington, DC
Intern	Washington, DC
Business Development Intern	Washington, DC
Strategic Communications Intern	Washington, DC
Associate II	Washington, DC

See all 73 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
Intensive Care Nurse - ICU Nurse - (ICU RN)	Pasadena, TX
Director of Integrated Marketing	Gaithersburg, MD
Director	Murchison, TX
North Dakota State Director	North Dakota
Massachusetts State Director	Massachusetts

See all 32 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
Nurse Program Coord	Phoenix, AZ
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Department of Surgery Job	Rochester, MN
Lead Infrastructure Engineer	Washington, DC
Lead Software Engineer	Washington, DC
Resource Team RN	Reno, NV

See all 8,289 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
Applications Programmer 4 (0652U)	Berkeley, CA
Regional Director Clinical Informatics	Phoenix, AZ
Manager, Operations - Implementation Management & EDI	Jacksonville, FL
Director of Development Services	Maricopa, AZ
LAB TECHNICIAN	Norcross, GA

See all 441 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
Vice President of University Advancement	Chico, CA
Vice President of University Advancement	Chico, CA
Experienced Urgent Care Physician Assistant	Berkeley, CA
Experienced Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner	Berkeley, CA
Experienced Urgent Care Physician Assistant	East Bay, CA

See all 7 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
Research & Evaluation Intern	New York, NY

See all 1 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
Program Director, Global Financial Inclusion	New Haven, CT
Endeavor Insight Summer Intern	United States
Communications Specialist	New York, NY
Community Development Finance - VP	New York, NY
Research Associate - Molecular Medicine	Worcester, MA

See all 99 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
Account Executive	Frisco, TX
Administrative Coordinator- Albany, NY	Albany, NY
Insurance Coordinator, Enterprise Risk Management	Boone, NC
Creative Services Manager	Boone, NC
Production Manager, Communications	Boone, NC

See all 23 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
Nurse Program Coord	Phoenix, AZ
Autodesk and Desktop Support Analyst – Houston Interests	Tulsa, OK
Solutions Consultant II	Eden Prairie, MN
Director of Marketing	Redwood City, CA
Account Executive	New York, NY

See all 5,964 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
Navigator	United States
Community Benefits Coordinator	United States
Case Manager – Workforce Development – North Brooklyn	United States
Certified Application Counselor	Savannah, GA
Career Coach/Workplace Readiness Trainer-Workforce Development – North Brooklyn	United States

See all 9 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
Group Exercise Instructor	New Albany, OH
Community Development Manager	Connecticut
PCY Group Exercise Instructor Level I (Cardio & Water Aerobics)	Canton, GA
Fitness Coordinator	Denver, CO
IAY Group Exercise Instructor Level II (Yoga Instructor)	Alpharetta, GA

See all 95 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
Communications Intern (Chico office)	Chico, CA
Planning Intern (Chico office)	Chico, CA
Emergency Communications Dispatcher I	Bradenton, FL
Project Development Analyst (Alternative Energy)	New York, NY
Development Officer - Foundation and Government Grants	United States

See all 224 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
Applications Engineer - Market Segment	Brookshire, TX
Barley Research Scientist	Burley, ID
Director Manufacturing Development	Milwaukee, WI
Brewery Finance Manager	Eden, NC
Creative Marketing Intern	San Diego, CA

See all 1,014 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
General Surgery Physician - Permanent: Regional Med Center Needs Another General Surgeon	Illinois
Laparoscopic Surgery Physician - Permanent: General/Bariatric MIS Surgeon needed-Close to New York City	New York
Laparoscopic Surgery Physician - Permanent: Bread & Butter General Surgery in a Dynamic Maine Community	Maine
Otolaryngology Physician - Permanent: ENT needed in Central Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania
Bread & Pastry Chef	Rapid City, SD

See all 311 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
Engineering Assistant - Research & Development	Rogers, CT
CDL A Delivery Driver - Changes for 2015	Morrow, GA
Reservoir Engineer Advisor	The Woodlands, TX
Logistics Customer Account Manager (PA)	Harrisburg, PA
Plant Superintendent	Emmett, ID

See all 4,640 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
Veterinarian (Doctor) - NEW HOSPITAL OPENING Summer 2015! Weston, Florida	Weston, FL
Environmental Services Associate	Casa Grande, AZ
Veterinarian (Doctor) New Hospital Opening 2015! Fountainebleau - Miami, FL	Miami, FL
Veterinarian (Doctor) NEW HOSPITAL OPENING IN LAKE MARY SPRING 2015!	Lake Mary, FL
Associate Veterinarian	Houston, TX

See all 29,948 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
Iowa Innovation Corp: CEO and Regional Innovation Program Director	Des Moines, IA
Business Development Representative	Minnetonka, MN
Software Engineering Intern	Waco, TX
Fixed Income Summer Internship	New York, NY
Business Development Associate, Chicago	Chicago, IL

See all 301 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
Pilot for Horizon Air	Portland, OR
HS Design Technology (IB Program) - Fall 15'	United States
Theory ok Knowledge - Spring 15'	United States
MYP History Teacher - Spring 15'	United States
Music & Dance Teacher (IB Program) - Spring 15'	United States

See all 92 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
PT Merchandiser - Syracuse, NY	Syracuse, NY
AM Leadperson - Malone, NY	Malone, NY
PT Bakery Outlet Clerk - Hyde Park, NY	Hyde Park, NY
PT Shipper - Colonie, NY	Albany, NY
Maintenance Mechanic, Cake Plant - Albany, NY	Albany, NY

See all 56 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
Physician - Pancreas Cancer Research Fellowship	Seattle, WA
Physician - Vascular Surgeon	Seattle, WA
Microvascular Surgeon	Seattle, WA
Manicurist	Pasadena, CA
Summer Internship 2015	New York, NY

See all 76,073 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
Lead Mechanical Engineer - HVAC	Denver, CO
I&C Engineer V	Fort Mill, SC
Dir Compliance Risk Mgt	Cranston, RI
Physician	Pascagoula, MS
Multi Media Intern	San Diego, CA

See all 1,010 job postings

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