What Do Social and Community Service Managers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• 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.

We asked Social and Community Service Managers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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76% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Social and Community Service Managers establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management. They direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.

A typical day for a Social and Community Service Manager will also include:

• Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.
• Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
• Implement and evaluate staff, volunteer, or community training programs.

We asked some Social and Community Service Managers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	83% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	99% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	64% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	58% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Social and Community Service Managers also participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits. They may also establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Social and Community Service Managers Implement and evaluate staff, volunteer, or community training programs. They might also Speak to community groups to explain and interpret agency purposes, programs, and policies.

In addition, they Plan and administer budgets for programs, equipment, and support services.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.

To some Social and Community Service Managers, it is also their responsibility to Direct fundraising activities and the preparation of public relations materials.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Social and Community Service Manager, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm

https://socialworkmanager.org/

http://www.cswe.org/

https://www.socialworkers.org/