Social and Community Service Managers
In the Social and Community Service Managers occupation, workers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on social perceptiveness, service orientation, and time management. You may also need to establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management. Interest ratings put Enterprising on top at 7.0 out of 7 and Social second, so the code is ESC and the day leans toward leading, persuading and making business decisions. People who want leading, persuading and making business decisions usually fit better here than those who need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.
What they do
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
- Monitoring
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Judgment and Decision Making
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like taking the lead and making the call.
- You get energy from helping other people move forward.
- You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
- You are comfortable relying on social perceptiveness and service orientation.
May not suit you if
- You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
- You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
- You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ESC takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.
Preparation
Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. 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
- Adoption Services Manager
- Child Welfare Services Director
- Children's Service Supervisor
- Clinical Services Director
- Community Services Director
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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.