Local authorities employ equality officers also known as advisers, to look after the needs of particular groups, such as women, ethnic minorities and disabled people.

Work Environment

Most of the work is office based although equality officers are mobile and can travel to all workplaces and parts of the community to carry out elements of their jobs.

Daily Activities

The work of equality officers is wide ranging and can include all or some of the activities listed below: -

• Identifying equality issues in the work place with the aim of ensuring that no one is discriminated against on grounds of race, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, age or religious belief in either employment or access to services;
• Supporting the integration of equal opportunities into the provision of all services by liaising with other departments and corporate services;
• Introducing (and reviewing) policies and practices to ensure that the local authority works toward achieving a more balanced workforce;
• Encouraging equal opportunities projects within the community, working with all kinds of groups and organisations including Race Equality Councils, women’s groups, disabled people’s groups and the equalities commissions etc.;
• Promoting local, national and international equalities initiatives and events such as international women’s week;
• Advising on issues of recruitment, staff development and other internal policies and procedures.

Local authorities however adopt a wide range of equal opportunity programmes and no one job is typical. Equality officers have contact with people ranging from chief executives to voluntary workers and members of the general public. They assess community needs and examine responses to, for example, racial attacks or the lack of facilities for ethnic minority groups/disabled/women.

Skills & Interests

Much of the work is in very sensitive areas where a high degree of negotiation, communication and understanding is called for. The success of equal opportunities programmes depends on good teamwork on successful promotion of the important issues. Equality officers therefore must be able to prioritise and have a dedicated interest in the job and equality matters generally.

They also must be prepared to be ‘an agent for change’ (ie: assess where change is needed and develop strategies to ensure that this occurs).

The role can be taxing, and highly stressful at times. To cope with this, it is useful if equality officers can demonstrate a level of detachment.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry qualifications needed to be an equalities officer, although many are members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Employers are often more interested in relevant background and commitment, although work in personnel departments, professional training in social work or youth and community is often an advantage.

A sound knowledge of equal opportunities issues and legalisation and good communication skills are all relevant to the job. Self motivation and administrative abilities are also required.

Estimated salary range

£13000 - £20,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

Opportunities exist in established units, particularly in larger councils, although changes to council structures in recent times has led to a reduction in specialist posts. More equalities officers are now based in various departments where they take responsibility for the integration of equalities into the work of the services.

While promotion to senior post is possible, equal opportunity units are small and career advancement may involve moving to another councils or to a different post in the same council.

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