Community education officer

Community education projects focus on promoting learning and educational support within local communities to encourage both individual and community development. Officers can work with all ages and members of communities, facilitating youth projects or adult education programmes and teaching anything from basic skills to further or higher education.

Work activities

• Liaising with community groups and community leaders.
• Managing budgets.
• Facilitating self-help community groups.
• Tutoring.
• Planning and supervising educational programmes.
• Providing reports for governing bodies.
• Encouraging people to participate.

Work conditions

Travel: can be a feature.
Working hours: can be long, but also flexible depending on the project. Occasional evening or weekend work could be involved.
Location: towns and cities across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Typical employers

• Voluntary/charitable organisations
• Local authorities
• Schools
• Youth/community organisations
• Higher/further education institutes

Further information

A degree is usually necessary: the profession is generally open to all degree disciplines; however subjects such as sociology, English, communications or social work could be advantageous. Teaching qualifications can also be beneficial.

Voluntary community work experience is more useful: a thorough understanding of a local community, excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and a patient, friendly manner is vital to the job.