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

The majority of the work carried out by Community Welfare Officers involves the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance SchemeE.

The types of payments made under this scheme include: Weekly Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Rent Supplement, Mortgage Interest Supplement, Diet and Heating Supplements, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Scheme and exceptional needs payments.

Community Welfare Officers hold a number or clinics per week usually in a health centre and an appointment is not necessary to call to your local community welfare officer.

As well as administering community welfare services, CWO’s will actively refer individuals to other state agencies and/or voluntary organisations if it is appropriate to their client's needs. For example, the CWO’s may refer you to the (MABS) or the Department of Social Protection.

Community welfare officers offers support and advice to people in exceptional circumtsances, duties involve:

• Administering community welfare services.
• Carrying out means tests on applicants for services.
• Holding health centre drop-in clinics.
• Advising on entitlements and helping with filling in forms.
• Referring individuals to other state agencies and voluntary organisations if it is appropriate to their client's needs.
• Keeping accurate, thorough and confidential records.
• Visiting people in their home if they are unable to travel to the office or to verify a rent claim.

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.

Further Information

• Community Welfare Officer - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

Recruitment of Community Welfare  Officers takes place through the Public Appointments Service.Details of all current competitions are made available on https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/

Applicants will be required to undergo the selection procedures as set out for the particular competition. The entry requirements for this grade are typically a minimum of Leaving Certificate level.

You might also find it useful to look at the competency framework for this level.

Further details of the particular skills and requirements for this role can be found in the Information Booklet for each campaign at this level. An example of an Information Booklet for a recent campaign can be found here.

The Civil Service strongly encourages its staff to further their education and improve their qualifications. A scheme providing for the refund of fees for third level courses is in place and paid study leave is allowed for staff attending such courses. On-the-job training also plays an important role in enabling employees to maximise their potential.   

Steps to applying:

1. Apply online at Publicjobs.ie before closing date
2. Online Assessment Questionnaire
3. Interview

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €33k - €89k

COMMUNITY WELFARE OFFICER

Community Welfare Officer
33,059 – 34,958 – 36,065 – 37,985 – 40,197 – 42,365 – 44,489 – 46,525 – 48,558 – 50,610 – 52,626 – 54,683 – 56,811 – 58,854 – 60,940 – 63,116 – 65,298 – 67,413

Superintendent Community Welfare Officer
72,878 – 75,529 – 76,993 – 79,674 – 82,357 – 83,903 – LSI 1 86,611 – LSI 2 89,319

Data Source(s):
PAS/ FORSA/ HSE

Last Updated: March, 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 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.

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
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