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Community Worker

Also known as Community Development Officer and Community Engagement Officer.

Community workers encourage and assist community groups to identify their needs, participate in decision-making and develop appropriate services and facilities to meet those needs.

The work of community workers involves considerable personal contact and travel within communities.

They are normally expected to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend activities.

TASKS

Community workers may perform the following tasks:

assist community groups in planning, developing, maintaining and evaluating community resources, programmes and support networks
support, develop and evaluate strategies that encourage community participation in activities
research, analyse and assist council, town planning, corporate planning and environmental health departments in developing community service policies
communicate frequently with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies, non-government organisations and private businesses about community services such as housing, health, welfare and recreation
monitor, evaluate and recommend changes to community development programmes, policies, practices or budgets
help raise community and public awareness regarding issues such as welfare rights by promoting, organising and helping to coordinate meetings and seminars
carry out administrative work, which may include written correspondence, preparing submissions and reports for government bodies or other agencies and attending management meetings

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy assisting people
able to work independently
able to work in cooperation with others
good work organisation and time management skills
able to relate to people effectively and patiently
able to manage and help resolve conflict
able to understand the issues and interests of the communities involved
good oral and written communication skills

Very Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Aboriginal Affairs Administrator - is involved in running organisations that provide services and assistance to Aboriginal communities in areas such as art and crafts, education, health and housing. Their work also involves organising events and activities to meet local needs.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a community worker you usually have to complete a VOC qualification in a relevant discipline such as community services or community development. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a community worker by studying a relevant field at university. Entry to relevant degree courses usually requires you to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. For more details, see the separate entries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Social Worker, Welfare Worker and Youth Worker.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

To become a member of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) you need to complete an approved degree or 2-year diploma in community services work, human services community welfare, community development or a similar discipline that is approved by ACWA. Contact the association for further information and a current list of approved courses.

To work with children or vulnerable people in NSW, you must obtain a Working with Children Check from the Office of the Children's Guardian. To work with children or vulnerable people in the ACT, you need to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People Check from the Office of Regulatory Services. A National Police Certificate may also be required.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Community workers work with groups of people in various settings, including aged care, youth and community centres, youth shelters, centres for people with disability, and Aboriginal communities. They also work for local councils and for the family and community service agencies of state and territory governments.

Many community workers move on to self-employment and undertake contract community work on specific projects. In local government, councils are increasingly working closely with their communities and may be taking on specialist staff.

Community workers may work in urban or remote areas. Employment prospects depend on the level of government funding for community organisations and the number of programmes to be conducted and administered.

Aged Care Worker

Arts Administrator

Counsellor

Disability Services Instructor

Health Promotion Practitioner

Probation and Parole Officer

Social Worker

Welfare Worker

Youth Worker