Responsibilities of a Community Development Officer (2024)

By Lisa McQuerrey Updated June 30, 2018

Community development officers are vital to the development and maintenance of healthy, thriving communities. Usually, professionals in this role are retained by cities, social services agencies or non-profit neighborhood development organizations. The scope of the job responsibilities and the corresponding pay range is typically dependent upon the size of the municipality and the population of the area the officer is serving.

Job Description

A community development officer is involved with urban planning, assessment of housing needs and revitalization projects within a city or community. This may include interfacing with zoning officers, building inspectors and land development managers. A community development officer may also work with city planners or municipalities in surveying and tracking needs, establishing plans for implementation, developing budgets and soliciting community input. The job also includes functions such as overseeing project managers, tracking project progress, and issuing reports to superiors. In many instances, the position works in tandem with other urban planning departments including water, sewer, utilities, maintenance and construction engineers.

Education Requirements

At a minimum, a bachelor's degree is required for a community development officer position, although a master's degree in business or in public administration, urban planning, city panning or development can also be useful. A background in finance or communications can also be an asset, as the role requires the ability to plan, delegate, manage time and money, communicate effectively and make sound decisions. The position oversees others, and directs activity across several departments, so in addition to education, experience in this area, paired with a proven track record of performance, is often a requirement of the job.

Industry

Community development officers work for cities, municipalities, government entities and and non-profit organizations. The position may also exist on a smaller scale in corporate settings, in which community development officers often oversee community projects and outreach.

Years of Experience

In most instances, it takes experience in the community development arena to learn the ropes and move into an officer's position. Many people start out in assistant positions, or as researchers and project managers, before they're eligible for to become community development officers.

Job Growth Trends

It's anticipated that jobs in community development will grow at an above-average pace of 18 percent through 2026. The high level of expansion is attributed to economic growth and the expansion of urban centers. It's also estimated that additional professionals will be required in this capacity, so as to effectively handle the results of population growth and housing needs, especially in high-density regions.