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First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers

The occupation First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers covers people who supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers. Expect to train workers in proper operational procedures and functions and explain company policies. With a code of ECS, this is mostly a job for people drawn to leading, persuading and making business decisions. Conventional interests also help, rated 5.1 out of 7. Plan on one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree; O*NET labels this medium preparation. Strength in critical thinking, active listening, and time management helps most here. If you want leading, persuading and making business decisions, keep it on your list. If you need creative work with room for original expression, it may feel thin.

What they do

Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers.

Main tasks

  • Train workers in proper operational procedures and functions and explain company policies.
  • Meet with managers or other supervisors to stay informed of changes affecting operations.
  • Assign work schedules, following work requirements, to ensure quality and timely delivery of service.
  • Recruit and hire staff members.
  • Resolve customer complaints regarding worker performance or services rendered.
  • Take disciplinary action to address performance problems.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Management of Personnel Resources

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECS takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Adult Family Home Program Manager
  • Aquatics Supervisor
  • Bar and Restaurant Manager
  • Clinical Care Coordinator
  • Clinical Coordinator

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.