Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
• Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
• Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
• Participate in the determination of organisational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
• Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organisations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.
• Recruit, interview, and hire or sign up volunteers and staff.
• Research and analyse member or community needs to determine program directions and goals.
• Implement and evaluate staff, volunteer, or community training programs.

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

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.

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.

Last Updated: July, 2024

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €38k - €55k

Salries Vary by employer, location, duties, role, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
The Wheel/ CCI/ Indeed

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).

Employment growth for this occupation was slightly below average, with employment declining slightly between 2021 and 2022. The share of non-Irish citizens at 29% is higher than the national average. A small number of new employment permits were issued in 2022 for social workers. Approximately 1,300 awards were made in 2021 at level 8 or higher in the broad social work field.

A report in 2022 by the Irish Association of Social Workers identified retention of social workers to be a key issue, particularly in areas of child protection and adult safeguarding. Despite issues with recruitment and retention of suitably qualified social workers remaining, the data does not currently point to a shortage.

• Activelink

  • Activelink, 2-4 Merville Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, A94 E3F8, Ireland.
  • 01-6677326
  • [email protected]
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• Charities Institute Ireland

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• The Wheel

  • 48 Fleet Street (entrance Parliament Row) Dublin 2
  • (01) 454 8727
  • [email protected]
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