What Does a Community Associate Do?

Community associates are the glue that holds communities together. They work with a variety of organizations and individuals to help build strong, healthy, and vibrant communities.

Community associates may focus on any number of areas, including economic development, education, health care, social services, or other issues related to community well-being. Their duties may include anything from organizing events and programs to managing databases or writing reports.

Community Associate Job Duties

Community associates typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Providing support to senior citizens, including providing transportation to appointments and running errands
• Coordinating activities such as arts and crafts classes, exercise programs, and educational seminars
• Assisting community members with completing forms and applications for federal, state, or local programs
• Providing information about community services available to residents, including public transportation, food pantries, and community events
• Coordinating recreational activities with other staff members in an effort to reduce social isolation among individuals who have limited social contact with others outside of their immediate family or household
• Ensuring that seniors have access to resources that meet their needs, such as providing information about social services available in the community
• Coordinating home visits with other professionals, including nurses and nutritionists
• Participating in community outreach efforts to improve awareness of issues affecting older adults in the community
• Managing community facilities such as senior centers or community centers, planning activities for residents, and promoting participation by volunteers

Community Associate Salary & Outlook

Community associates’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the type of community they work in. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of overtime.

• Median Annual Salary: $41,500 ($19.95/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $75,500 ($36.3/hour)

The employment of community associates is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for social workers is expected to increase as more people seek services from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community groups. Social workers will be needed to help these organizations provide services to a growing population of clients.

Related: Community Associate Interview Questions and Answers

Community Associate Job Requirements

Community associates typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Community associates are typically required to have at least a high school diploma or GED. Some community associations prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in community development, public administration or a related field. These degrees provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage a community.

Training & Experience: Community associates typically receive on-the-job training from their employer. This training may include shadowing a current community associate or a community manager to learn the community’s policies and procedures. The community associate may also learn how to use the community’s computer systems and databases.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement to become a community associate. However, they can make you a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.

Community Associate Skills

Community associates need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication skills: Community associates often communicate with members of the community they serve. This can include speaking with members of the community who need assistance, answering questions and providing information to other members of the community. Effective communication skills can help you to be an effective community associate.

Customer service skills: Community associates often work in customer service roles, so it’s important to have strong customer service skills. This can include being able to answer questions, provide information and solve problems for members of the community. You can also use your customer service skills to help you develop positive relationships with members of your community.

Organizational skills: Community associates often have to manage multiple tasks at once. Having strong organizational skills can help you stay on top of your responsibilities and complete your work in a timely manner. You can use your organizational skills to keep track of your to-do list, files and other records.

Teamwork skills: Community associates often work with other members of their organization to complete tasks. Having strong teamwork skills can help you work with others to complete projects and tasks. You can also use teamwork skills to help you resolve conflicts with other community associates.

Analytical skills: Community associates often use analytical skills to solve problems and make decisions. For example, if a member of the community has a question about a program or event, you might use analytical skills to research the answer. You can also use analytical skills to evaluate the success of a program or event and make changes if necessary.

Community Associate Work Environment

Community associates typically work in an office setting, although they may travel to attend community meetings or to visit properties. They typically work a standard 40-hour week, although they may occasionally work evenings or weekends to attend community events or meet with clients. Some community associates may work part time. Community associates typically work under the supervision of a community manager.

Community Associate Trends

Here are three trends influencing how community associates work. Community associates will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

Community Managers Will Need to Be More Technical

As community management becomes more complex, community associates will need to be more technical in order to manage the various aspects of their role.

Community managers will need to be able to use tools such as social media and content marketing to reach a wider audience and generate interest in their community. They will also need to be able to troubleshoot technical issues that may arise and be able to manage the security of their community’s data.

More Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

The community association industry is beginning to focus more on diversity and inclusion as a way to attract new members and keep current ones engaged. This trend is being driven by the fact that communities are becoming more diverse and want to see representation in the associations that they belong to.

Community associates can capitalize on this trend by developing skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and cultural sensitivity. By doing so, they will be better equipped to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds and create an environment where everyone feels welcome.

A Greater Emphasis on Customer Service

As customer service becomes more important in today’s economy, community associates will need to develop strong customer service skills.

Community associates can utilize this trend by focusing on providing excellent customer service to members of their community. This includes answering questions, resolving problems, and helping customers find what they are looking for. In addition, community associates can also focus on building relationships with customers so that they feel comfortable coming back again and again.

How to Become a Community Associate

A community associate career path can be a great way to get started in the social services field. As a community associate, you’ll have the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life and help them overcome challenges in their lives. You may also have the chance to learn about different cultures and ways of life.

To become a community associate, you’ll need to have a strong desire to help others and be able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds. You should also be able to communicate effectively and be patient when dealing with difficult situations.

Advancement Prospects

Community associates typically advance to community manager positions. In some cases, they may also advance to regional manager positions, overseeing multiple properties. As they advance, community associates may take on more responsibility for marketing, budgeting, and event planning. They may also be responsible for hiring and training new community associates.

Community Associate Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we’re looking for a Community Associate to join our team and help us build relationships with our customers. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills and a strong ability to build rapport. He or she will be responsible for handling customer inquiries, providing product information, and promoting company initiatives. The Community Associate will also be responsible for organizing community events and maintaining relationships with community partners. The goal of the Community Associate is to build a positive image of [CompanyX] in the community and to increase customer loyalty.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Greet all members and guests with a smile and professional demeanor
• Answer phones, emails, and other inquiries in a timely and courteous manner
• Keep the front desk area clean and organized at all times
• Check in members and guests, provide them with information about the facility, and answer any questions they may have
• Schedule appointments and classes for members
• Process payments and handle cash transactions
• Monitor the locker rooms and common areas to ensure they are clean and stocked with supplies
• Report any maintenance issues or safety concerns to the appropriate staff member
• Promote upcoming events and programs to members and guests
• Assist with set up and break down for events and programs as needed
• Build relationships with members and guests to encourage repeat visits
• Perform light janitorial duties as needed

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or related field
• 1-2 years customer service experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Friendly and personable demeanor
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience working in a co-working space or similar environment
• Event planning and coordination experience
• Marketing and social media experience
• Proficiency in design software, such as Photoshop, InDesign, etc.