A “certified community development manager” holds a professional knowledge of housing and community association law, with emphasis on the management and business skills needed to effectively run a community association. HOA boards that choose to hire a CMCA should always seek a person with the appropriate educational and professional background that matches the needs of the board. If you feel qualified to be a Community Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), below are some tips to help you in your pursuit to become one.
Do your community development research before approaching anyone in an employment position. You should know how much schooling or training they already have, whether or not they have a degree and whether or not they hold other licenses and certifications to be a licensed health care professional. These are all very important steps that can help you find a job and help you avoid wasting time and money on potential employers who are only after your current salary and qualifications.
As with any career field, you must have the right attitude in order to succeed in a Community Association role. A person who is not excited about the new opportunities in Community Association work will find it difficult to excel at their job. Make sure you have a positive and upbeat disposition toward your job and the benefits it provides to you.
When applying for a Certified Community Development Manager position, be prepared to present a resume detailing your specific experience, educational background, references, and other pertinent information. Although you will most likely be required to submit your resume and cover letter to each community board you apply to, you may also be asked to provide additional documents. In this case, make sure that you are able to provide a complete and coherent resume and cover letter that details all the areas that would be discussed in your role.
Do not hesitate to ask for referrals when it comes to Community Associations. If you find that many current and past community members are willing to offer you their opinions and recommendations, that can help you get the job. If you do not have referrals, try contacting those members and ask if they would be willing to give you a referral to someone who could provide you with references.
Do not let the size of your community prevent you from pursuing the Certified Manager of Community Associations position. Most Community Associations are small, meaning that they tend to have limited resources and staff that need to be managed efficiently. If you have a strong commitment to providing quality service and meeting the needs of the people and entities involved in the association, you are well on your way. As a small association, you may want to look for smaller community associations to work for; otherwise, seek out larger associations for larger budgets.
In closing, community associations do require that candidates for these positions possess the basic skills and knowledge necessary to conduct themselves professionally in a friendly and efficient manner. While it can be intimidating at first, if you practice, you will find yourself enjoying your role as a Certified Community Development Manager.
To learn more about becoming a Certified Community Development Manager, contact your local community association. Many associations offer training and orientation programs in order to help new members transition into their new roles and improve their understanding of what this type of job requires. The Association for Community Development (ACD) offers certification classes that can be taken online and through a variety of media including: audio programs, video sessions, book study guides, and interactive online meetings.
To become a Certified Community Development Manager, you must prove yourself by meeting the requirements outlined by the community associations you are applying to. These requirements often include: demonstrating your ability to effectively manage change and maintain high standards of ethics and integrity, demonstrating that you are motivated and passionate about your role as a leader, and administrator, and demonstrating the ability to effectively develop an organization by making and/or implementing sound strategies. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role that diversity, inclusion, and transparency will play in your role. Community Association professionals understand that there are various kinds of people involved in a Community Association; therefore, your role as an administrator and leader will be different from one person to another.
Certified Community Development Managers is well compensated in some communities. For more detailed information regarding the salary ranges for these positions, contact your local Community Association.