Community coordinators can work in a variety of different capacities. Most positions, however, focus on providing a combination of customer service and communications functions to residents. The majority of these jobs require candidates to have at least a bachelor's degree in a business, communications, or marketing discipline. Some employers may also want applicants to have an educational background in some other field, or some relevant work experience. In certain situations, individuals who want to become a community coordinator will have a better chance of being hired if they have a human resources background.
Many employers look for applicants who have at least two years of work experience that is directly related to the job the need to fill. Higher ranking positions may require five or more years of experience, as well as a master's degree in a specialized business discipline, such as management. Depending on the employer, it may be necessary to have some experience dealing a particular type of community. For example, if the job is for a community coordinator at a nursing home or assisted living facility, it will probably be essential for job applicants to have experience in that type of environment.
For the most part, anyone who wants to become a community coordinator should have excellent interpersonal skills. The ability to speak and listen actively and engagingly are very desirable qualities. If you are good at talking to other people, you will certainly have an advantage over applicants who do not have that skill. Individuals with customer service-oriented backgrounds tend to do well as community coordinators, simply because they are used to interacting with a wide variety of different people.
In addition to possessing exceptional one-on-one communication abilities, applicants for these types of jobs should also be comfortable speaking to large groups. If you want to become a community coordinator, you should feel at ease speaking in meetings, or to groups of potential clients. You might even be asked to speak at local churches, schools, or other community events.
It is usually a requirement for people in this line of work to have the ability to work in environments that may change on a regular basis. While you should certainly be able to work independently, you should also be able to work as part of a team if you want to become a community coordinator. Collaborative efforts are routinely required of individuals in these jobs, so it will be helpful if you can excel in any situation.
