Social and Community Service Managers

Career Overview

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Also Known As

• Child Welfare Services Director
• Social Services Director
• Transitional Care Director
• Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator

Alternate Job Titles

• Adoption Services Manager
• Adult Daycare Coordinator
• Borough Coordinator
• Case Manager
• Case Services Manager
• Casework Department Director
• Casework Director
• Casework Services Director
• Child Welfare Director
• Child Welfare Services Director
• Children's Service Supervisor
• Clinical Services Director
• Club Manager
• Community Center Director
• Community Organization Director

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
• Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
• Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
• Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
• Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Customer and Personal Service
• Administration and Management
• English Language
• Psychology
• Education and Training
• Personnel and Human Resources
• Therapy and Counseling

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Social Perceptiveness
2. Service Orientation
3. Active Listening
4. Time Management
5. Judgment and Decision Making
6. Complex Problem Solving
7. Coordination
8. Management of Personnel Resources
9. Monitoring
10. Active Learning

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Recognition
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Originality
• Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Leadership Orientation
• Cooperation
• Social Orientation
• Empathy

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• 10-key calculators
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Telephone Conversations
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Contact With Others

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$50,020
Median	$78,240
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$129,820

Workers Employed Nationally: 195,490

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.