Community Development Officer

Stable

Public Sector

Runs rural community programmes, TABIKA KEMAS preschools, family and adult education activities for KEMAS under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW); the same scheme also serves the National Unity Department (Rukun Tetangga) and JKM. Entry is through SPA from SPM level (Pembantu S1) up to degree level (Pegawai S9).

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

PsychologyEducationGeneral

In Malaysia

How people get into it here: Straight after SPM (credit in Bahasa Melayu; SKM Level 2/3 raises your starting pay) apply on SPA9 for Pembantu Pembangunan Masyarakat S1. With STPM, STAM, Matriculation or a related diploma, apply for Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S5; with a related degree (e.g. social science, community development, social work), apply for Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S9. Serving staff can move up through the special exam.

Sources:spa.gov.my docs.jpa.gov.my emasco.mohr.gov.my

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Bahasa MelayuExplain clearly to a class.

Your teaching subjectMaster what you'll teach.

Moral / Islamic StudiesValues you'll pass on to students.

EnglishOpens doors to more courses and jobs.

MathematicsNeeded for most further study.

Skills to build

Building trust with rural communitiesOrganising programmes and coursesMediating and solving local issuesClear reporting and record keeping

Pay in the private market

Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.

Entry

Private

RM1,650 – RM2,470

Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.

Job demand outlook

Stable

Steady, reliable demand: a consistent number of openings.

Your readiness

How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.

Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.

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Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

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How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

TVET

Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.

1–3 years

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

IPG (Teacher Training)

Become a school teacher: fully funded, with an allowance and a guaranteed posting. Apply separately through KPM after SPM.

~5 years

International Pre-U

A-Levels, AUSMAT, IB and more. The flexible premium route, local or overseas.

1–2 years

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

Source: SPA scheme: Penolong Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S5 (formerly S29) and Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat S9 (formerly S41) starting pay (Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bil. 1/2024, SSPA) · as of Sept 2026

Check the salary figures yourself:JPA (SSPA schedule)SPA

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org