Social and Community Service Managers
The Social and Community Service Manager, is an administrative position within a Human Services organization. From a state run office, to a non-profit or local government organization, the Social and Community Service Managers performs vital management functions for their office.
The Social and Community Service Manager has many duties from worker oversight, to logistics, program implementation, office budget policies and being the contact point person for their office, the Social and Community Service Manager keeps their office running. The Social and Community Service Manager will need to have a working knowledge of the job functions of all the workers they oversee and in many cases will be expected to fill in at that position in the rare case where staffing is critically low.
A Social and Community Service Manager acts as the nerve center of their office and will be expected to perform a variety of tasks and be knowledgeable of their organization and the workers they oversee.
Some of the tasks a Social and Community Service Manager will be expected to perform could include:
- Oversight of employee attendance and leave
- Oversight of employee job performance
- Performing subordinates job functions as necessary
- Scheduling and facilitating meetings for their office
- Attending management meetings to coordinate policy decisions
- Acting as a liaison between senior management and staff
- Acting as primary point of contact between public and local office in case of grievances
- Showing a practical knowledge of the functions of their organization, its purpose and program goals
- Oversees office budget and spending
How Social and Community Service Managers Provide a Service to Society
By keeping their office functioning at a high level of professionalism, encouraging and facilitating the performance of their workers, the Social and Community Service Manager makes sure program goals are met. This in turn means that the people who come through their office have their needs met according to eligibility and organizational mandates. The Social and Community Service Manager performs a vital task that ensures that community members receive the services in a timely and appropriate manner.
Impact on Society
The Social and Community Service Manager impacts society in the following ways:
- Guarantees the smooth functioning of Social and Community Services
- Helps their organization fulfill its duty as a safety net or community development entity
- Ensures quality human services through their agency
- In the case of governmental agencies, makes sure taxpayer funds are appropriately spent
Impacting The Individual
The Social and Community Service Manager can impact the individual through a macro effect of making sure their office is a place of efficiency and quality human services. However, the Social and Community Service Manager can also impact individuals directly in the case of grievances brought to their attention. In these cases, due to worker negligence or oversight due to high workload, the Social and Community Service Manager can use their knowledge of the agency to intervene on behalf of the individual to ensure their receive their benefits or services. This impact can be huge on someone who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks.
Impacting The Family
Similar to the impact on the individual a Social and Community Service Manager has their biggest impact by ensuring that their organization is performing at an optimal level. Which means the family receives timely benefits and services based on their eligibility within the organization’s mandate. Again, as the arbiter of grievances, the Social and Community Service Manager can act as backstop for families who did not receive the benefits or services they were entitled to. This can have a massive impact on families in need and this can’t be overstated.
Education to Join the Workforce
The education required to become a Social and Community Service Manager varies greatly depending on the organization. However, virtually all positions will require extensive organizational experience or at least a Bachelor’s degree in a Social Sciences field such as Psychology, Sociology or Social Work. Some agencies may prefer a Bachelor’s in Business Administration or Non-Profit Administration. Many employers now are looking for candidates with Masters Degrees. Usually they will want a Master of Social Work, Master of Business Administration, Master of Psychology or closely related degree.
Range of Salaries for Social and Community Services Managers
The salary range for social and community service managers on a nationwide basis is from $68,390 to $124,760.
What’s Next to Pursue this Career?
To start your journey towards becoming a Social and Community Service Manager you will need to attain at least a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or Administration. However, increasingly employers are looking only for candidates with a Master of Social Work, Master of Business Administration, Master of Psychology, Master of Sociology or closely related degree. You can find a school in your area with a degree track in these fields by clicking here!
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social And Community Service Managers reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2023.
