Jobs, Salaries and Career after Masters in Social Work - Updated 2023

2020 median Pay for Social Work

The median annual wage for social and community service managers was $69,600 in May 2020.

Pay

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.

Best paying jobs for Public Policy Analysis

Number of Jobs for Social Work

Number of Jobs in 2020 was 174,200

Education required

Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook for Social Work

Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,300 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.

Job description of Social Work

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.

How to become Social Work

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.

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.

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