What is a Social and Human Service Assistant?
Position Description Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
A Day in the Life of a Social & Human Service Assistant
- Consult with supervisor concerning programs for individual families.
- Observe clients' food selections and recommend alternate economical and nutritional food choices.
- Observe and discuss meal preparation and suggest alternate methods of food preparation.
- Inform tenants of facilities, such as laundries or playgrounds.
- Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
- Assist clients with preparation of forms, such as tax or rent forms.
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Skills Needed to be a Social & Human Service Assistant
Below is a list of the skills most Social and Human Service Assistants say are important on the job.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Social & Human Service Assistant Jobs
- Group Home Worker
- Case Management Assistant
- Social Work Assistant
- Management Aide
- Direct Support Specialist
Job Outlook for Social and Human Service Assistants
There were about 389,800 jobs for Social and Human Service Assistant in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 16.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 63,800 new jobs for Social and Human Service Assistant by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 55,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Social & Human Service Assistant are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Illinois, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Social and Human Service Assistants Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Social and Human Service Assistants is somewhere between $22,430 and $52,420.

Social and Human Service Assistants who work in District of Columbia, California, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $28,740 |
Alaska | $40,720 |
Arizona | $34,190 |
Arkansas | $30,390 |
California | $43,330 |
Colorado | $36,180 |
Connecticut | $40,800 |
Delaware | $33,590 |
District of Columbia | $45,340 |
Florida | $34,250 |
Georgia | $29,360 |
Hawaii | $36,700 |
Idaho | $33,070 |
Illinois | $32,910 |
Indiana | $31,080 |
Iowa | $35,030 |
Kansas | $33,620 |
Kentucky | $30,220 |
Louisiana | $30,360 |
Maine | $34,830 |
Maryland | $35,520 |
Massachusetts | $35,390 |
Michigan | $31,640 |
Minnesota | $36,160 |
Mississippi | $28,710 |
Missouri | $29,960 |
Montana | $30,420 |
Nebraska | $28,540 |
Nevada | $36,850 |
New Hampshire | $33,120 |
New Jersey | $36,470 |
New Mexico | $33,630 |
New York | $37,180 |
North Carolina | $30,840 |
North Dakota | $37,120 |
Ohio | $34,450 |
Oklahoma | $29,400 |
Oregon | $38,020 |
Pennsylvania | $34,320 |
Rhode Island | $35,300 |
South Carolina | $31,660 |
South Dakota | $25,540 |
Tennessee | $32,920 |
Texas | $36,000 |
Utah | $28,840 |
Vermont | $35,400 |
Virginia | $33,580 |
Washington | $40,200 |
West Virginia | $30,750 |
Wisconsin | $37,230 |
Wyoming | $34,710 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Social and Human Service Assistants
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Social and Human Service Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking
- PointClickCare HER
How do I Become a Social & Human Service Assistant?
Individuals working as a Social and Human Service Assistant have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Social and Human Service Assistants?

Social and Human Service Assistants work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Social and Human Service Assistant might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Social and Human Service Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: University of the Fraser Valley via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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