Social and Community Service Manager Career
The social and community service manager position is an integral part of the human services industry in the United States. This career offers a wide range of positions in multiple industries, but you will find most managers working for the government or a non-profit agency. The primary function of the manager is to monitor and oversee employees such as child case workers, probation officers, and other social workers who provide important community and social services to the public.
The manager will ensure the smooth functioning of such social service programs. These programs often target specific demographic groups such as children, the elderly, the homeless, or those with mental or physical disabilities. This is a fast-growing, fulfilling career that offers a variety of opportunities for individuals with different skills and interests.
Social and Community Service Manager Career Snapshot
Managers typically work in an office with a traditional 40 hour work week, although overtime may be necessary at times. Managers of healthcare workers may work in a hospital, and those assisting the homeless may work in a shelter.
Further details on a career as a social and community service manager are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average annual salary for social and community service managers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Bachelor’s degree while 15% have a Master’s degree.
Social/Community Service Manager Education
Most managers will need a bachelor’s degree, and many employers now require a master’s degree in such areas as public administration or social work. Some individuals have worked their way up to a manager position with only a high school degree, although that is increasingly rare. Some experience is almost always necessary to become a manager, and some social workers can work their way up to that position. Social workers will often need to be licensed.
Social/Community Service Manager Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for this career are projected to grow 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is 10 percent faster than for all occupations. So the outlook for this career is encouraging. An aging population will provide more opportunities for managers who specialize in elder care.
Social/Community Service Manager Salaries
Starting pay for managers is around $38,770, and the median pay is $63,530 according to BLS.gov May 2015 reports. The highest paid managers are found in the metropolitan areas and in Washington, D.C. working for the federal government.
Social/Community Service Manager Job Duties
Typical job duties include the hiring of employees, directing and monitoring activities of staff to ensure quality, and interacting with clients and the public. This is primarily an administrative position, so the manager will also be responsible for creating budgets and keeping records. There is often some fundraising and public speaking involved, as the manager is the liaison between the agency and the public.
Social and Community Service Manager Skills & Traits
| Community Service Manager Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Community Service Managers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Active Listening • Speaking • Time Management • Coordination • Critical Thinking | • Oral Comprehension • Oral Expression • Speech Clarity • Deductive Reasoning • Problem Sensitivity | • 10-key calculators • Desktop/notebook computers • • Multi-line telephone systems • Medical software | • Decision Making • Caring for Others • Interpersonal Relationships • Communicating with Others • Getting Information |
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