Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

The Work

Event staff assist in the overall logistical and operational aspects of the event, and job duties may change depending on areas of need. You will likely be assigned a task by the event staff supervisor, or event manager/coordinator and you work alongside other event staff.

Tasks performed by event staff can include: selling or checking tickets, ushering crowds and security. Some set up lighting, sound and scenery equipment and some walk around the venue and ensure that the event area is clean and well presented.

Ushers are responsible for showing event-goers to their proper seats, giving information about facilities and ensuring that fire exists or emergency services entries are clear at all times.

All event staff generally have to have some basic health and safety and logistical knowledge about the event, answering questions from guests about the length of the event, the locations of different facilities etc.

Event staff are typically employed for one event at a time, but can also be employed on a part-time and seasonal basis.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Greet patrons attending entertainment events.
• Sell or collect admission tickets, passes, or facility memberships from patrons at entertainment events.
• Clean facilities.
• Settle seating disputes or help solve other customer concerns.
• Examine tickets or passes to verify authenticity, using criteria such as color or date issued.
• Provide assistance with patrons' special needs, such as helping those with wheelchairs.
• Guide patrons to exits or provide other instructions or assistance in case of emergency.
• Refuse admittance to undesirable persons or persons without tickets or passes.
• Assist patrons by giving directions to points in or outside of the facility or providing information about local attractions.
• Assist patrons in finding seats, lighting the way with flashlights, if necessary.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

This is an entry level job where qualifications or experience may not be needed. But having previous experience of working with the public, or managing groups of people is an advantage.

Training & Development

There are plenty of courses in event management, business and tourism, and event performance particularly at various level on the [NFQ] National famework of qualifications. 

Some employers provide health & safety or first aid training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed such training prior to employment.

Health & safety Manual Handling

Occupational First Aid

Haccp Food safety awareness

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET Coursefinder.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Barrista, Hospitality & Supervisory Management, Business and Tourism NFQ level 4-6 Search our FET Coursefinder 

FET Centre PLC: Hospitality, Event & Supervisory management and promotions NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €35k

Nature of work means income can be irregular and is often part time or sessional. Salaries depend on employer, location, shift patterns, and duties on a pro rata basis.

Data Source(s):
Excel Recruitment/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment grew strongly for both waiters/waitresses and bar staff between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 12,000 persons employed combined, the numbers remained below preCOVID-19 levels. While waiters/waitresses were predominately female, the opposite was the case for bar staff with males accounting for the higher share.

Those aged 15-24 years accounted for the majority of persons employed as waiters/waitresses and bar staff, at 73% and 64% respectively; at least 75% of those employed in these occupations were working part-time. Both occupations had high volumes of recent job hires highlighting that job churn is a particular feature of these roles. Although issues with attracting candidates to the roles are evident, no shortages have been identified.

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Restaurant's Association of Ireland

  • 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8
  • 01 6779901
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here