Other Management Occupations

How to become a Social and Community Service Manager

Official title: Social and Community Service Managers

Also called: Adoption Services Manager, Child Welfare Services Director, Children's Service Supervisor, Clinical Services Director, Community Services Director, Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor, Social Services Director, Transitional Care Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator

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.

Main tasks

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.
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.
Recruit, interview, and hire or sign up volunteers and staff.

How to become one

Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Social Work & Community degrees, Offered by 11 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $80,390 a year The middle half earn $64,290 to $103,200.
About 231,000 people work in this job now, and about 247,700 are projected by 2035. (+7.2%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Social and Community Service Manager?

Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience.

How much does a Social and Community Service Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $80,390 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $64,290 to $103,200.

Is a Social and Community Service Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 231,000 to about 247,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Social and Community Service Manager?

Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Social and Community Service Manager?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.