When we build stronger, safer, and happier communities, we all benefit as a society. Community service workers play an instrumental role in making this happen. They are the link between people who require support for personal and social problems and those who offer support such as social workers, healthcare workers, and educational counsellors.   

Community service workers regularly elevate the needs of their communities and clients.

People pursue this profession for many reasons but mainly because they are looking for a way to give back to their communities and help others. The advice and support provided by community service workers can change people’s lives for the better. They offer hope, guidance, and access to much-needed community services.    

Community service workers have various job titles depending on where they work and their responsibilities. Job titles include addictions and community services worker, mental health worker, child and youth worker, crisis intervention worker, family service worker, Aboriginal outreach worker, group home worker, and community development worker.   

What Do Community Services Support Do?   

Community service workers serve in a variety of settings and are employed by government agencies, shelters, substance abuse centers, school boards, mental health agencies, correctional facilities, and other establishments. As a community service worker, your goal is to serve and empower your community, and it’s important to be aware of issues surrounding senior citizens, women, new immigrants, and refugees.   

Typical daily responsibilities include:    

• Gathering background information through client interviews   
• Accessing client needs and requirements and developing a support plan    
• Assessing client’s eligibility for social benefits and providing information about social assistance programs  
• Helping clients find the community services they need such as housing, employment, transportation, medical or legal help, and more   
• Responding to crisis situations and offering emergency shelter services  
• Meeting with clients periodically to assess their progress, discuss any difficulties they are facing, and offer solutions    
• Creating and updating client records and files. This includes preparing notes, case documents and reports  
• Evaluating the effectiveness of programs clients are enrolled in   
• Supervising volunteers and conducting training sessions   
• Gathering information for statistics and research

In this profession, it is especially important to be culturally sensitive and work well with people from different backgrounds. Having a good understanding and awareness of issues such as addiction, abuse, or sexual assault can enable you to offer better support.    

Other essential skills include being well-organized, communicating effectively (asking questions, listening, and relaying information clearly with ease, understanding body language and non-verbal signs), and having the patience to work through complex cases.   

Community Service Worker Salary   

A Community Service Worker’s salary will vary depending on where they are working, the province, and level of experience. Canadian Community Service Workers usually earn anywhere between $16.00 to $34.19 per hour. According to Job Bank Canada, the median wage in Ontario is $22.57 per hour with a high wage of $32.   

Why Do You Want to Work in Community Services?   

Community service workers make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people who might be experiencing domestic violence, discrimination, or hardship.   

Community support work can be highly rewarding, and according to various studies, can provide higher levels of job satisfaction than other professions. You see what is happening within the community, and you have the opportunity to serve your community. You will have first-hand information on how your clients are progressing and when you learn they faced their challenges and are living better lives, it can also be a hugely fulfilling experience.     

Community service is a growing field, especially in the areas of childcare, elderly and youth support. Employers are on the lookout for community support workers who have a passion for helping others, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.  

How to Become a Community Services Worker  

If you have passion and desire for fair outcomes, patient nature, and a natural concern for others, then a career in community services might be an excellent fit for you. To get started on this career path, a great first step is to acquire a community services worker qualification. This will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to change people’s lives for the better. Formal education will help you gain a well-rounded understanding of the Canadian family dynamic, learn about high-risk populations in Canadian society, and also gain a better understanding of culture, diversity, religion, deviance, and popular trends in secular society.  

Visit triOS College’s Community Services Worker program page to learn more.