Careers

CMCA provides a culture that helps employees recognize and build upon their strengths while giving them opportunities to develop new skills. As a trauma-informed agency, we respect the individual needs of both our employees and the people we serve.

CMCA believes in the principle and practice of equal opportunity and provides equal employment opportunity and advancement opportunities for all persons regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by law.

"CMCA supports the professional development of its employees! I began working for CMCA as a teacher’s aide in 1996. At that time my supervisor encouraged me to get my Associates of Arts (AA) Degree in Early Childcare so I could become a teacher. I NEVER imagined that I would attend college but as soon as I began working toward my degree I was promoted to the position of teacher assistant then finally became a classroom teacher. I now have an AA in Early childhood Education and a BA in Management. Working as a member of the CMCA Head Start team, I am able to make a difference in lives of the children who attend Head Start and know that as they grow up they will benefit from the love and support they receive at Head Start. Head Start is more than a daycare program, it’s a program that works with the whole family, helping the children succeed and helping the adults in the family succeed too. Most of the parents whose children attend our Head Start centers do not have goals when they start, but after working with our staff they are able to set and achieve goals they never thought possible! It’s fulfilling to be a part of this life-changing work!"

"CMCA is an agency that provides opportunities to grow and learn while working with great people. When I began working for CMCA 32 years ago I was a teacher’s aide in a Head Start classroom. Now, I am the Site Director as well as a classroom teacher. During my time with CMCA I have been encouraged to further my education and to grow. They helped me obtains a GED, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and my college degree. I love my job with CMCA and Head Start because children who attend Head Start are at a stage of development where they learn more than they will at any other time in their lives. Being able to positively impact them at this stage of their development is meaningful. I also appreciate the other good things that we do for families through our programs at CMCA!"

"One of the things I love most about working at Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) is that it doesn’t feel like a job. CMCA promotes personal well-being, social connections, and financial strength for the families we serve as well as our employees. CMCA is committed to excellence and it is a strength and an expectation. As a single mom, I appreciate that CMCA encourages me to make my family and self-care a priority! Knowing that the agency supports and appreciates me allows me to focus on serving families and the community. I always end my day thinking about how I was able to help, impact or touch someone’s life. CMCA makes this possible!"

CMCA Culture

At CMCA, we are committed to ensuring that every person has fair access to employment, resources, opportunities, and services. We believe that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them unique.

To support this commitment, we maintain policies and practices that foster fairness, accessibility, and belonging throughout our organization. We actively engage people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to ensure our programs and services are responsive, accessible, and relevant to the communities we serve.

We strive to create a welcoming, respectful, and non-judgmental environment for employees, volunteers, and community members. We value the perspectives, experiences, and contributions of every individual and recognize that our work is strengthened when many voices are heard. Through ongoing learning and professional development, we seek to deepen our understanding of the people and communities we serve and improve our ability to meet their evolving needs. As a learning organization, we continuously seek best practices and data to guide our work and strengthen our impact.

We are also committed to advancing positive change in the systems that affect individuals, families, and communities. This includes helping people build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to advocate for themselves and others. We work alongside community partners and stakeholders to address barriers to opportunity, reduce social and economic disparities, and promote policies and practices that help all people thrive.