Social and community service managers held about 168,800 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of social and community service managers were as follows:
| Individual and family services | 29% |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 11 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 11 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 10 |
| Community and vocational rehabilitation services | 9 |
Social and community service managers work for nonprofit organizations, private for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. They also work in a variety of settings, including offices, clinics, hospitals, and shelters.
Work Schedules
The majority of social and community service managers work full time. They may work extended hours to meet deadlines or when preparing new programs.
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
Most social and community service manager jobs require a bachelor’s degree in social work, public or business administration, public health, or a related 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. Lower-level management positions may require only a few years of experience, although social and community service directors typically have much more experience. Candidates can get this experience by working as a social worker, substance abuse counselor, or in a similar occupation.
Social and community service managers typically have an interest in the Helping and Persuading interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Helping interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counseling, or teaching other people. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Helping or Persuading interest which might fit with a career as a social and community service manager, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Social and community service managers should also possess the following specific qualities:
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Analytical skills . Managers need to understand and evaluate data to provide strategic guidance to their organization. They must be able to monitor and evaluate current programs as well as determine new initiatives.
Communication skills . Working with the community and employees requires effective communication. Managers must be able to speak and write clearly so others can understand them. Public speaking experience is also helpful because they often participate in community outreach.
Interpersonal skills . Social and community service managers should have good interpersonal skills. When speaking with members of their staff or members of the community, they must be tactful and able to explain and discuss all matters related to services that are needed.
Leadership skills . Social and community service managers must motivate and lead their employees and set the overall direction of the program.
Managerial skills . Social and community service managers spend much of their time administering budgets and responding to a variety of issues.
Problem-solving skills . Managers must be able to effectively address client, staff, and agency related issues as they occur.
Time-management skills . Social and community service managers must be able to prioritize and handle numerous tasks for multiple customers, often in a short timeframe.
The median annual wage for social and community service managers was $67,150 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $112,480.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for social and community service managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $85,550 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 70,830 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 62,020 |
| Individual and family services | 61,920 |
| Community and vocational rehabilitation services | 60,180 |
The majority of social and community service managers work full time. They may work extended hours to meet deadlines or when preparing new programs.
Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Much of the job growth in this occupation is the result of an aging population. An increase in the number of older adults will result in a need for more social services, such as adult daycare and meal delivery, creating demand for social and community service managers. Employment of social and community service managers is expected to increase the most in industries serving the elderly, such as services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
In addition, employment growth is projected as people continue to seek treatment for their addictions, and as illegal drug offenders are increasingly sent to treatment programs rather than to jail. As a result, managers who direct treatment programs will be needed.
Job Prospects
Job prospects are expected to be good because of the continued expected demand for individual and family social services.
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
CareerOneStop
For a career video on social and community service managers, visit
Social and Community Service Managers