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Career overview · SOC 11-9151

Social and Community Service Managers

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.

Also called: Adoption Services Manager · Child Welfare Services Director · Children's Service Supervisor · Clinical Services Director · Community Services Director · Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor

Median pay (national)
$78,240
$50,020–$129,820 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
195,490
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+6.4%
~18,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for social and community service managers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $129,820 versus $50,020 at the bottom 10% — 2.6x. The median of $78,240 leaves roughly 66% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +6.4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 18,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $99,700, +27% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $53,360 — a 87% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Active Learning as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.
  • Recruit, interview, and hire or sign up volunteers and staff.
  • Act as consultants to agency staff and other community programs regarding the interpretation of program-related federal, state, and county regulations and policies.
  • Speak to community groups to explain and interpret agency purposes, programs, and policies.
  • Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Office software
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Client information databases
  • Corel QuattroPro
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Financial accounting software
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro
  • Oracle Reports
  • PointClickCare healthcare software
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management
  • English Language
  • Psychology
  • Education and Training
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Public Safety and Security