Occupations - Community Development Specialist

The following material is quoted from the occupational guide for Community Development Specialist on the FFA Career Explorer site

General Information

Community Development Specialists create activities and plan programs for fostering community development and encouraging family unity.

Career Information:

The responsibility of the Community Development Specialist is to develop programs that will influence family members to work together to accomplish common goals. This is done through creating programs designed to involve the entire family. Examples include sporting events, livestock shows and community service activities. Community Development Specialists help people in cities, towns, and counties get the best use of their resources. They work with communities on leadership development for elected and appointed officials. They help local leaders make plans for water supplies, sewage disposal plants, schools, health clinics and libraries. They try to help local leaders draw industry to the town or city. They help set up job training plans to insure a supply of skilled workers for newly arriving firms. Community Development Specialists develop and coordinate programs for youth. They may supervise paraprofessional staff who work on specific projects or subject matter: nutrition, gardening, parenting, or animal sciences. They organize community-wide volunteer recruitment programs and meet one-on-one with prospective volunteers, as well as with committees of volunteers. They train volunteers and develop programs that teach life skills and guide young people in citizenship and leadership activities.

Educational Requirements:

4 year degree

Suggested High School/Collegiate Courses:

Agriculture, family and consumer sciences, business, sociology, communications, community and youth development.

Skills Necessary:

Oral Communications, Interpersonal, Creative, Highly Motivated, Organizational, Motivational, Dependable, Patience, Adapts to Change, Team Player, Enthusiatic, Computer Skills, Written Communications, Leadership, Tactful, Presentational, Responsible, Goal Oriented, Customer Service, Logical, Negotiating, Helps Others, Orderly Minded, Good Judgement, Outgoing Personality, Motivational

Job Availability

Excellent Growth

Location of jobs:

Federal, state local government, universities, research facilities or extension offices

Working Conditions:

Most work in office environments, spending about half their time in the field.