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
Development Assistant	Brighton, MA
Executive Assistant & Special Projects Manager	West Conshohocken, PA
Grants and Database Administrator	West Conshohocken, PA

See all 4 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
Email Content Coordinator	Los Angeles, CA
Sales Representative - Money.Net Financial Terminal Sales (SoHo)	New York, NY
National Director, Red Star™ Emergency Services	Washington, DC
Sales Executive	New York, NY
Chief Finance Officer	Los Angeles, CA

See all 968 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

Job Title	Location
Manager, Software Solution Test	San Jose, CA

See all 1 job postings

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
HR Talent, Diversity and Inclusion Intern	Westport, CT
Tax Experienced Associate Mergers & Acquisitions	San Francisco, CA
Philadelphia Tax M&A Experienced Associate	Philadelphia, PA
Principal Software Engineer in Search - ability to work remote	United States
RN Team Leader Tulsa OK	Tulsa, OK

See all 4,064 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
MT / MLT / MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN / GENERALIST	New Jersey
Hospitalist - Physician - (Hospital Medicine) Locum Tenens	Macon, GA
Emergency Medicine Physician - (ER Doctor, EM Doctor) Locum Tenens	Macon, GA
Physiatrist - Physician - (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - PM&R) Locum Tenens	Macon, GA
Architectural and Interior Designer	New York, NY

See all 82 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 Innovation Manager	Allston, MA
Senior Innovation Manager	Boston, MA
Innovation Strategist	Allston, MA

See all 3 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

No current job openings.

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
Account Manager	Washington, DC
SEO Copywriting Intern	San Francisco, CA
UX Designer, Marketing	San Francisco, CA
Intern- Software Engineer	San Francisco, CA
Sales Associate - No Experience Required	San Francisco, CA

See all 1,869 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
AutoNation University Training Opportunity (AUTO) Rotational Program (Base Salary + Incentive)	Dallas, TX
Engineering New Graduate Development Program	Morrisville, NC
AutoNation University Training Opportunity (AUTO) Rotational Program (Base+Incentive)	Plano, TX
Orthopedic Physician Assistant Coordinator	United States
Summer 2015 Education Internship - Museum Ambassador Program (Unpaid)	San Francisco, CA

See all 378 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
Administrative Coordinator	Seattle, WA
Seattle Tilth Farm Works Coordinator	Auburn, WA
Garden Hotline Educator	Seattle, WA

See all 3 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
Dining Director	Saint Peter, MN
Pizza Delivery Driver	Newcastle, WY
Fort Worth Area - Restaurant Managers & General Managers (All Levels)	Fort Worth, TX
Guest Assistants (Host / Hostesses)	Franklin, TN
Clinical Nutrition Manager - Santa Fe, NM	Santa Fe, NM

See all 9,229 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
Insurance Marketing Representative - Salary + Bonus	Scottsdale, AZ
MARKETING MANAGER - Medical Clinic	Greenwood Village, CO
Springfield Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project Coordinator	Springfield, MA
Grant & Project Coordinator	Wisconsin
Principal Performance Partner	United States

See all 1,477 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
Account Manager (Inside Sales)	Milwaukee, WI
Sales Consultant	Woodbridge, VA
Sales Consultant (part-time)	Louisville, KY
Sales Executive	New York, NY
Senior Director Business Development USA (m/f)	New York, NY

See all 1,493 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
Social/Behavioral Sciences (2535)	Dominguez, CA
Letters/Humanities (2564)	Dominguez, CA

See all 2 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
Revenue Accountant	Little Rock, AR
Account Executive, Software Sales	San Diego, CA
Web Developer	Little Rock, AR
Heifer Village Volunteer	Little Rock, AR
General Manager	Little Rock, AR

See all 7 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

Job Title	Location
Sr. Director Development, World H...	New York, NY
Sr. Director Development, World Hunger organization	New York
Sr. Director Development	New York, NY
Sr. Director Development	New York, NY

See all 4 job postings

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
Associate/Full Professor - Interdisciplinary Environmental Health and Community-Engaged Research	Boston, MA
Research Assistant	Washington, DC
Research Associate	Columbia, MO
Research Study Assistant	Chicago, IL
Alliance for Artisan Enterprise Intern--Global Health & Development	Washington, DC

See all 57 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
Illinois State Director	Illinois
North Carolina State Director	North Carolina
North Dakota State Director	North Dakota
Outreach Coordinator, Food Policy (New York)	New York
Animal Caregiver I (Seasonal)	Fort Lauderdale, FL

See all 50 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
RN, Hospital - Acute Renal Dialysis Program	La Crosse, WI
RN, Hospital - Peritoneal Dialysis Program	La Crosse, WI
RN-OR Support	Murrieta, CA
PRODUCT ENGINEER	South Saint Paul, MN
Bridge Design Engineer	Tulsa, OK

See all 9,036 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
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS SUPERVIS...	Seattle, WA
Intelligence Analyst	Maryland
Intelligence Analyst	Maryland
Junior Intelligence Analyst	Virginia
Junior Intelligence Analyst	Virginia

See all 569 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
Experienced Urgent Care Physician Assistant	East Bay, CA
Vice President of University Advancement	Chico, CA
Experienced Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner	East Bay, CA
No ED Call Neurology Northern California	Red Bluff, CA

See all 5 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
Development Assistant	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
Environmental & Health Sciences - Associate (Durham, NC; Fairfax, VA)	Durham, NC
Research Associate	New York, NY
Associate, Climate Change, Partnership Development & Research	New York, NY

See all 85 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
Data Conversion Specialist	Richardson, TX
Implementation Consultant	Richardson, TX
ICT Field Systems Analyst	North Wilkesboro, NC
Insurance Coordinator, Enterprise Risk Management	Boone, NC
Regional Manager, Mid-South	Nashville, TN

See all 33 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
Outside Sales Representative - Design Consultant	San Antonio, TX
Diesel Mechanic	Cincinnati, OH
Truck Mechanic	Fort Wayne, IN
MSW Midland TX	Midland, TX
Research Analyst	Cleveland, OH

See all 6,663 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
Community Benefits Coordinator	United States
Navigator	United States
Program Development Intern	New York, NY
Career Coach/Workplace Readiness Trainer-Workforce Development – North Brooklyn	United States
Case Manager – Workforce Development – North Brooklyn	United States

See all 11 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 Development Manager	Connecticut
Vice President of Medical Programs	Portland, OR
Community Development Coordinator - Eastern Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA
Personal Trainer 2 - Maryland Farms	Maryland
Water Exercise Coordinator	Henrico, VA

See all 71 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
Senior Electricity Consultant	Washington, DC
ITSM Software Engineer	Portsmouth, VA
Business and Systems Analyst SME	Nebraska
Programmer	Chicago, IL
Communications Intern (Chico office)	Chico, CA

See all 231 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
Website Development Intern	Pennsylvania
QRC Machinist II	Indianapolis, IN
Tech Lead - Java / Scala	New York, NY
Corporate Relations Officer	Alexandria, VA
Research Associate	Upton, NY

See all 1,045 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
Otolaryngology Physician - Permanent: ENT needed in Central Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania
Bread & Pastry Chef	Rapid City, SD
Family Practice Physician - (PCP - FP) Locum Tenens	San Francisco, CA
Laparoscopic Surgery Physician - Permanent: Bread & Butter General Surgery in a Dynamic Maine Community	Maine

See all 440 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
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS SUPERVIS...	Seattle, WA
Principal Estimator	Los Angeles, CA
Teamcenter Administrator	Renton, WA
Route Manager	Seattle, WA
Estimator	Arlington, VA

See all 4,664 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
DIRECTOR OF NURSING - COLOROW CARE CENTER (OLATHE, CO)	Olathe, CO
Medical Assistant, Burlington Kansas	Burlington, KS
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) - Carmel, IN (All Shifts) - Weekly Pay!!!	Carmel, IN
Room Attendant	Ridgedale, MO
Medical Assistant	Salina, KS

See all 32,319 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
Intern - Community & Social Impact Team	New York, NY
Mentoring Relationship Manager	United States
Alliance for Artisan Enterprise Intern--Global Health & Development	Washington, DC
Software Engineering Intern	Waco, TX
Intern - Industry Transformation Team	New York, NY

See all 354 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
Pre-Planning Advisor (2014-2171-Martinez (0858))	Redwood City, CA
HS Design Technology (IB Program) - Fall 15'	United States
Sales Professional (2014-0807-Scriven)(0607)	Orange City, FL
High School Physics (IB DP) - Fall 2015	United States
Theory ok Knowledge - Spring 15'	United States

See all 89 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
International Research & Development Technician Intern	Omaha, NE
Service Express Agent	New Orleans, LA
Nutrition Program Coordinator Job	Plano, TX
Nutrition Program Coordinator	Charter Township of Canton, MI
FT Shipper - Colonie, NY	Albany, NY

See all 227 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
Corporate Buyer	Joplin, MO
Hospice Community Education Coordinator (CEC)	Pearland, TX
Dining Director	Saint Peter, MN
RN, Hospital - Acute Renal Dialysis Program	La Crosse, WI
RN, Hospital - Peritoneal Dialysis Program	La Crosse, WI

See all 83,185 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
Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW, Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA	Valdosta, GA
FEDP Intern	Waltham, MA
Research Psychologist (71F)	United States
Fishery Biologist ( Endangered Species)	Honolulu, HI
2015 Intern - Manufacturing Engineer (Supply Chain)	Slidell, LA

See all 988 job postings

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