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Community service workers are professionals who work within the community to offer support and guidance to local people. They provide an invaluable service to people who need help, often working with disadvantaged communities. Tasks vary; you might work with individuals, families, or particular groups, such as children, the elderly, or refugees. The end goal is to improve the quality of life for people living in the area, creating a better environment overall.
If you care about others and want to make a difference in the world, a new career in community service could be a great choice. Keep reading to learn more about the role and how to join the workforce.
Why Become a Community Service Worker?
As a community service worker, you have the opportunity to bring positive action to local communities. You become the voice for underprivileged people, serving as the link between them and local and national authorities. It’s an active role that offers a range of opportunities.
Community service workers dedicate their time to helping others. Similarly, to social service support workers, community service workers promote well-being. It is a demanding but highly rewarding career choice where your actions on any single day can influence change.
Aside from job satisfaction and helping people, those who train to work as community service workers can benefit from many job opportunities and career routes. For instance, you might dedicate your time to emergency shelter services, youth services programs, or substance abuse treatment programs.
Daily Duties of Community Service Workers
The nature of the role varies depending on your employment. But wherever you work, you can expect to participate in various tasks. Generally speaking, community service workers will partake in the following duties:
- Connecting people to local social services and social assistance programs
- Creating action plans to support clients, from job hunting to helping children succeed at school
- Assist clients in finding shelter, housing, financial assistance, employment etc.
- Provide crisis intervention
- Implement behaviour management programs, treatment programs, and life skills workshops
- Interview clients to gather background information
- Meet with clients to discuss progress
- Provide counselling services, offering advice and guidance
- Assess communities and raise public awareness about certain issues
- Prepare case documents and intake reports
Typical Working Conditions
Community service workers usually work within neighbourhoods in rural and inner-city locations. The job generally includes regular working hours but may include evenings and weekends, depending on the organization. Several organizations employ community service workers, including:
- Charities and non-profit organizations
- Community centres
- Shelters
- Substance abuse centres
- Government agencies
- Human service agencies
- Correctional facilities
- Group homes
As a community service worker, you can expect to work alongside other professionals, such as social workers, probation officers, authority providers like the police, and other social services.
How to Become a Community Service Worker
Community service work is a professional position that requires certain skills, knowledge, and education level. You must complete a college or university program to find employment in this industry. Most employers look for qualifications in social work or social science. However, you can also become a community service worker by completing a CSW diploma.
The CSW (Community Support Worker) diploma is a fast-track way to begin your career in social services. Diploma programs provide students with the proper training to prepare them for professional careers. Private career colleges, like Citi College, are ideal for developing your skills through hands-on learning. In just 40 weeks, you’ll be ready to work as a community service worker.
Get a Diploma at Citi College, Ontario Career College Mississauga and Ontario Career College Toronto
Did you know you can get your community service education at Citi College? Our Diploma in Community Service Worker teaches students the practical skills to create and oversee different social assistance programs. You’ll gain the requirements necessary to launch a career in the community service sector, where you can begin making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Graduates leave the course job-ready with the confidence to pursue their chosen careers. Make a change today and contact our team for information on program statistics, financial assistance, and other student resources while studying at Citi College. We’re always happy to assist!
