Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• 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.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

• Provide clients with a confidential, individual career path planning, guidance service.
• Manage and operate the caseload management system.
• Work as an integrated member of the [LES] local employment service team.

Skills Required

• Build a caseload of clients who are long-term unemployed
• Facilitate each unemployed person on his/her caseload, to develop an individualised career path plan with the ultimate aim of getting the person a secure job
• Ensure the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality are maintained by the Mediator to develop the client relationship
• Ensure client expectations are grounded in reality and confront unrealistic expectations
• Maintain caseload records and to build a case study and general statistical information
• Match accurately clients on file to incoming vacancy notices from the LES employer contacts and DEASP vacancy list
• Assist clients prepare for job interviews and align past experiences to job requirements
• Liase and work with local employers to establish a realistic picture of various job requirements to ensure accurate matching
• Build a client base of local employers who provide work at the level appropriate to client aspirations, experience and educational background
• Work to influence employers to adapt a positive attitude to LES clients as potential employers
• Support client's who are distance from the labour market to access meaningful employment and/or upskilling opportunities
• Individually, and as part of the LES team, build well grounded networks into local agency and employer systems

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants' legal rights.
• Interview benefits recipients at specified intervals to certify their eligibility for continuing benefits.
• Keep records of assigned cases, and prepare required reports.
• Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
• Answer applicants' questions about benefits and claim procedures.
• Interview and investigate applicants for public assistance to gather information pertinent to their applications.
• Initiate procedures to grant, modify, deny, or terminate assistance, or refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
• Check with employers or other references to verify answers and obtain further information.
• Compute and authorise amounts of assistance for programs, such as grants, monetary payments, and food stamps.
• Schedule benefits claimants for adjudication interviews to address questions of eligibility.

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.

Minimum of Leaving Certificate is required, Many LES Mediators have qualifications in: Administration, Adult Guidance and Counselling, Youth & Community work, and other social & care courses.

Employers place importance on the right personal qualities. Relevant life and work experience are also highly valued. You may have gained this in an area such as: Teaching, Youth and Community work, Social work, and Probation work or personnel work.   
  
Training & Development pathways

FET Centre Traineeship & PLC courses: Busienss Administration, Teaching/ Facilitation, Youth & Community work, Social & care work or HR/Personnel  NFQ level 5-6 Search FET Courses

CAO Higher Education entry: Business Administration, Teaching, Youth and Community work, Social work, Probation or Personnel/ HR NFQ level 6-8 Search CAO courses 

Maynooth University: Adult Guidance Theory & Practice NFQ Level 8 [Special purpose award]

Professional practice Networking & Continuous professional development

Institute of Guidance Counsellors: Professional Guidance Association  

ILDN Irish Local Development Network check jobs and roles from 49 local area partners & Community local groups around Ireland

Activelink: Irelands Community online hub & jobsite

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €57k

Salaries will vary based on employer experience, duties, role, and location. Likewise basd on sessional prorata salary for the role.

Data Source(s):
ILDN / Gov.ie

Last Updated: July, 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 information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

Guidance workers 

Employment growth was below average over the five-year period, with little growth since 2020. It should be noted that career guidance professionals working in the second level system are most likely captured in the secondary teaching occupations. Employment permits issued in 2022 were all intra-company transfers and related to roles outside of the education sector.

Social Welfare Communty workers

The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation continued to be strong across the five-year period. Census data for 2022 indicates that youth and community workers account for the largest share of occupations within this group and vacancies announced through DSP Jobs Ireland in 2022 were primarily for these roles.

• IGC Institute Of Guidance Counsellors

  • Institute of Guidance Counsellors, The Basement, 17 Herbert St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
  • 01 6761975
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• ILDN Irish Local Development Network

  • Unit 24, Tait Business Centre, Dominic St, Limerick, V94 A9X6
  • 061 404 923
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Intreo - DEASP

  • Nationwide Local Offices
  • Click Here