Social and Community Service Manager

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.

On the job, you would:

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.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Social and community service managers need to understand and evaluate data in order to provide strategic guidance to their organization. They must be able to monitor and assess current programs as well as determine new initiatives.

Communication skills. Social and community service managers must be able to speak and write clearly. Public speaking experience is also helpful because these managers often participate in community outreach.

Managerial skills. Social and community service managers spend much of their time administering budgets and responding to a variety of issues.

Problem-solving skills. Social and community service managers must be able to address client, staff, and agency-related issues.

Time-management skills. Social and community service managers must prioritize and handle numerous tasks, often in a short timeframe.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		96%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		96%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		94%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		93%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		93%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		92%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		90%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		88%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		87%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		87%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		86%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		84%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		81%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		79%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		77%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		72%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		95%	Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
		83%	Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		89%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
		78%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		75%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		72%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		67%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		56%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		85%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		78%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		72%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		72%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		72%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		72%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		69%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		69%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		66%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		63%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		53%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		66%	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
		63%	Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
		61%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		59%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		59%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		59%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		59%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		59%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		57%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		57%	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
		57%	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
		57%	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
		57%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		55%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		55%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		55%	Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
		54%	Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
		54%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		54%	Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
		54%	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Establish interpersonal business relationships to facilitate work activities.

Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Maintain operational records.

Supervise employees.

Monitor performance of organizational members or partners.

Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.

Direct administrative or support services.

Develop organizational policies or programs.

Analyze market research data.

Promote products, services, or programs.

Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.

Hire personnel.

Recruit personnel.

Represent the organization in external relations.

Prepare operational budgets.

Analyze impact of legal or regulatory changes.

Advise others on legal or regulatory compliance matters.

Coordinate special events or programs.

Conduct opinion surveys or needs assessments.

Resolve customer complaints or problems.

Evaluate training programs, instructors, or materials.

Manage human resources activities.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		100%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		97%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		93%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		92%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		90%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		85%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		84%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		84%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		82%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		81%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		80%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		80%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		78%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		77%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		76%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		73%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		69%	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
		68%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		63%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		61%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		57%	In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
		75%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		91%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		87%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		82%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		81%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		79%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		79%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		78%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		78%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		76%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		76%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		75%	Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		75%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		75%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		75%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		72%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		72%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		71%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		70%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		70%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		69%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		69%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		66%	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		66%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		66%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		63%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		62%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		62%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		59%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		58%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

What Social and Community Service Managers Do

Social and community service managers meet with community members and funding providers to discuss their programs.

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being. They direct workers who provide these services to the public.

Duties

Social and community service managers typically do the following:

Work with community members and other stakeholders to identify necessary programs and services
Oversee administrative aspects of programs to meet the objectives of the stakeholders
Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of programs
Suggest and implement improvements to programs and services
Plan and manage outreach activities for increased awareness of programs
Write proposals for social services funding

Social and community service managers work for a variety of organizations. Some of these organizations focus on working with a particular demographic, such as children, people who are homeless, older adults, or veterans. Others focus on helping people with particular challenges, such as substance abuse, mental health needs, and chronic hunger.

A routine part of social and community service managers’ job is to show that their programs and services are effective. They collect statistics and other information to evaluate the impact their programs have on the community or their target audience. They are usually required to report this information to administrators or funders. They may also use evaluations to identify opportunities to improve their programs, such as providing mentorship and assessments for their staff.

Although the specific job duties of social and community service managers may vary with the size of the organization, most managers recruit, hire, and train new staff members. They also supervise staff, such as social workers, who provide services directly to clients. Additionally, they may perform some of the services of the workers they oversee.

In large agencies, social and community service managers tend to have specialized duties. They may be responsible for running only one program in an organization and reporting to the agency’s upper management. They usually do not design programs but instead supervise and implement programs set up by administrators, elected officials, or other stakeholders.

In small organizations, social and community managers often have many roles. They represent their organization through public speaking engagements or in communitywide committees; oversee programs and execute their implementations; spend time on administrative tasks, such as managing budgets; and help with raising funds and meeting with potential donors.

Work Environment

Social and community service managers held about 178,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of social and community service managers were as follows:

Individual and family services	27%
Nursing and residential care facilities	12
Local government, excluding education and hospitals	10
Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations	10
Community and vocational rehabilitation services	9

Social and community service managers work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. They also work in a variety of settings, including offices, clinics, hospitals, and shelters.

Work Schedules

Most social and community service managers work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

Getting Started

Education:

50%

Bachelor's Degree

24%

Master's Degree

How to Become a Social and Community Service Manager

Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience in a related occupation.

Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience. However, some positions also require a master’s degree.

Education

Social and community service managers typically need a bachelor's degree in social work or a related public policy and social services field. However, some positions also require a master’s degree.

Work Experience

Workers usually need experience in order to become a social and community service manager, and it is essential for those with a bachelor’s degree. Candidates can get this experience by working as a social worker, substance abuse counselor, or in a similar occupation.

Job Outlook

Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 16,000 openings for social and community service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Much of the job growth in this occupation is the result of a population increasing its number of older adults. This age group has a greater need for social services, such as adult daycare, creating demand for social and community service managers.

In addition, employment growth is projected as people continue to seek treatment for their addictions and as people with substance abuse disorders are increasingly being directed to treatment programs rather than sent to jail. As a result, managers who direct treatment programs will be needed.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about social and community service managers, visit

The Network for Social Work Management

Council on Social Work Education

National Association of Social Workers

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of social and community service managers.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Health Education Specialists	Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.	Bachelor's degree	$59,990
Marriage and Family Therapists	Marriage and family therapists help people manage and overcome problems with family and other relationships.	Master's degree	$56,570
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.	Bachelor's degree	$59,860
Rehabilitation Counselors	Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.	Master's degree	$39,990
School and Career Counselors and Advisors	School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.	Master's degree	$60,140
Social and Human Service Assistants	Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.	High school diploma or equivalent	$38,520
Social Workers	Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.	See How to Become One	$55,350
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.	Bachelor's degree	$49,710
Medical and Health Services Managers	Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers.	Bachelor's degree	$104,830

Social and Community Service Manager

What they do: