Social and Human Service Assistants

Career summary

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Social and human service assistants work in a variety of places, including:

• Community assistance programs
• Schools
• Social service agencies

Social service assistants in social service agencies interview people to assess their needs and determine if they qualify for financial, health, or food benefits. Sometimes they help people fill out forms to get food stamps, Medicaid, and other benefits. They monitor and keep case records on clients.

Many social service assistants work with the elderly. They deliver meals to homes or provide transportation to medical appointments. Some check in with older people on a regular basis so they can continue living at home. Others work in residential care facilities.

Many social and human service assistants provide job training. They also help parents locate child care so they can work outside the home.

Social and human service assistants in the community work in food banks and energy assistance programs. They may also work in drug and alcohol programs or homeless shelters. Sometimes they work in schools. They may serve as leaders of groups where students can express worries and concerns.

Social and human service assistants may organize or lead discussion groups for pregnant teens, AIDS patients, and others in need of support. They teach:

• Budgeting
• Communication
• Conflict resolution skills
• Daily living activities
• Preparing healthy food

Social and human service assistants provide emotional support and counseling to people. They work with social workers, psychologists, and providers of medical care. They must maintain accurate records and consult with supervisors when problems come up.

Related careers

This career is part of the Human Services cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Child Care Workers
• Funeral Directors and Managers
• Government Benefits Interviewers
• Personal and Home Care Aides
• Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers
• Probation Officers
• Psychiatric Technicians
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Residential Counselors
• Social Workers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to social and human service assistants.

• Refer clients to community services for assistance.
• Monitor group activities of residents in institution.
• Monitor and maintain case records on clients. Report progress to supervisors and care managers.
• Interview clients and family members to assess their needs.
• Meet with youth groups to tell them about the consequences of certain actions.
• Visit clients at home or in group meetings. Provide information on community services.
• Provide or arrange transportation for elderly clients.
• Advise clients on food stamps, money management, and sanitation.
• Explain rules to clients about their housing, such as parking regulations.
• Provide clients with new ideas for preparing meals.
• Demonstrate proper use of equipment.
• Review problems with supervisors or medical support personnel.
• Monitor food programs for cleanliness and compliance to eligibility guidelines.
• Advise clients on budgeting and shopping for well-balanced meals.
• Inform clients of nearby facilities, such as laundries and playgrounds.
• Help parents locate child care.
• Assist in locating housing for clients.
• Help clients fill out forms, such as tax or rent forms.
• Provide emotional support to clients.
• Organize or lead support groups.

Common work activities

Social and human service assistants perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Document and record information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform for or work with the public
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Evaluate information against standards
• Use computers
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Assist and care for others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Process information
• Schedule work and activities
• Think creatively
• Perform administrative tasks
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Develop goals and strategies
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Teach others
• Develop and build teams

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, social and human service assistants:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. Social and human service assistants work closely with clients, medical professionals, and other social service workers.
• Communicate with clients daily by telephone, e-mail, or in person.
• Write letters and reports on a weekly basis.
• Are often involved in conflict situations in which people might be unpleasant, angry, or rude.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of their clients. They must be sure that clients receive the food and medical care they require.
• May occasionally be exposed to people who may be aggressive or violent.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other assistants.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors. However, they sometimes work outdoors when visiting clients or delivering meals.
• Sometimes work in a noisy or distracting environment.
• Work in a vehicle when visiting clients or delivering meals.
• Work somewhat close to other people, such as when sharing office space.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could prevent clients from receiving the services they need.
• Must repeat the same physical activities, such as driving to clients' homes.
• Make decisions on a weekly basis that strongly impact clients. They rarely consult supervisors before making decisions.
• Are able to set most tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May work evenings and weekends, if working at residential care homes.

Physical demands

Social and human service assistants frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for social and human service assistants to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for social and human service assistants to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Social and human service assistants need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Community Services
• Gerontology
• Human Services
• Mental Health Counseling
• Social Work

Other programs of study to consider

• Addiction Counseling
• Child Care Services Management
• Child Development
• Family and Consumer Sciences, General
• Family Resource Management
• Ministry
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Training

To work as a social or human service assistant, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Social and human service assistants who specialize in clerical work must have at least a high school diploma. To work directly with clients you need college-level training. Certificates or degrees in social work, psychology, sociology, human services, or gerontology are favored. Community colleges and universities offer degrees in these areas. Look for programs that train you to observe patients and write reports. You should also know how to conduct interviews, manage caseloads, and perform crisis intervention.

Work experience

Experience working with people and handling clerical tasks is good background for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Social and human service assistants receive training after they are hired. This may be in a classroom setting, on the job, or both. You learn to observe clients, record information, conduct client interviews, and make referrals. You also learn to use problem-solving skills, perform crisis intervention, and use proper case management methods. You may receive training for up to one month.

You should consider participating in an internship while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Legal System
• Psychology
• Sociology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require applicants to have some education beyond high school. Work experience may also be required. Sometimes summer jobs or volunteer positions lead to permanent work. Some employers hire student interns after they complete their degree.

Social and human service assistants who work in group homes may be required to have a valid driver's license. They may also be required to pass a background check.

Employers look for applicants with good communication and time management skills. Employers also look for applicants who are patient, supportive, and encouraging.

Assistants must learn about programs and procedures on the job.

Costs to workers

Workers who join professional associations must pay membership fees and annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Social and Human Service Assistants 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by the assistant's level of responsibility and training. Those who have experience generally earn more than those who are new to the occupation. In addition, wages vary by employer and area of the country.

Social and human service assistants who work for state and local government agencies usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and a retirement plan. Many employers give benefits only to full-time employees. Some employers may not offer benefits.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

In Washington, the outlook depends on the health of the economy, public financial support for social services, and the amount of recognition given to the role of paraprofessionals. Opportunities should be best for people who have skills, such as training in geriatrics or fluency in Spanish, that enable them to relate to special groups.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Social services agencies
• Residential care centers
• Vocational rehabilitation agencies
• Community relief organizations
• State and local government agencies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. As the population ages there is more need for programs such as food delivery services and residential care homes. Social service assistants will be needed to make sure the elderly get all the services they are eligible for.

Workers will also be needed at community-based and independent-living sites that are being established to assist the homeless and mentally and physically disabled. Treatment programs for substance abuse are also going to need more assistants.

Many job openings will occur as people leave this occupation due to low pay and stressful working conditions. Job prospects will be best for those with related postsecondary education.

Other resources

Alliance for Children and Families 
1825 K St. N.W.
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
800.221.3726
414.359.1040

American Public Human Services Association 
1101 Wilson Boulevard, 6th Floor
Arlington, VA 22209
202.682.0100

References

Career cluster

• Human Services

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Social and Human Service Assistants (21-1093.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Case Aide (195.367-010) 
• Food-management Aide (195.367-022) 
• Management Aide (195.367-014) 
• Social-services Aide (195.367-034) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Social/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Skilled