Facilitates community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems associated with recreational, health, housing, employment and other welfare matters.

Assesses community needs and resources for health, welfare, housing, employment, training and other facilities and services; liaises with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies and private businesses about community issues and promotes awareness of community resources and services.

• Works indoors in offices within local government and community facilities.
• Frequently works away from the office, out in the community.
• Usually works in adequately heated and ventilated offices as a base, but may work in a variety of community environments.

• Sedentary physical demand level.
• Frequently sits when meeting with clients and their families and when completing reports or case notes.
• Stretching up and reaching across is not a significant component of this role.
• Bending squatting, crouching and kneeling is not a significant requirement of the role.
• Twisting of the body or neck is not a significant component of this role.
• Contact with skin irritants or water is not required.
• Lifting, carrying and holding is unlikely to exceed the sedentary range.
• Repetitive movement of the hands is likely occasionally to facilitate the use of a computer.
• Driving is likely to be occasionally to frequently required.
• Use of hand-held objects/materials will include computers, diaries and other record-keeping and office equipment.
• Mental skills necessary include assessment, computing, communication, decision-making, report writing, good communication skills with cultural sensitivity and knowledge.

A New Zealand Register Level 5 or 6 (Diploma or Graduate Certificate) qualification or at least three years relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2). Some employers may prefer a National Diploma in Community Work or a National Certificate in Social Services. In some instances particular experience and/or on-the-job training may be required. For some entry-level positions on-the-job training may be all that is necessary.

Useful experience for Community Workers includes: teaching, counselling, social work, community work, church work or other work that involves helping people; work within an iwi/Māori community or social service; experience working with people from a variety of cultures; nursing or other work that involves caring for people; volunteer work; and leadership experience.

Making application to work in this role is likely to involve a police background check.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.