Occupation · SOC 21-1093
Social and Human Service Assistants
Assist other social and human service providers 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.
Median wage
$45,120
$33,280–$63,850
Projected growth
+6.4%
Average growth
Annual openings
2,890
per year
Employed (US)
424,220
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
253 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCoordinationReading ComprehensionMonitoringWriting
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServicePsychologyTherapy and CounselingEnglish LanguageAdministrative
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareMedical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.Assist in locating housing for displaced individuals.Consult with supervisor concerning programs for individual families.Demonstrate use and care of equipment for tenant use.Assist in planning food budgets, using charts or sample budgets.Assist clients with preparation of forms, such as tax or rent forms.Explain rules established by owner or management, such as sanitation or maintenance requirements or parking regulations.Observe clients' food selections and recommend alternate economical and nutritional food choices.Observe and discuss meal preparation and suggest alternate methods of food preparation.Transport and accompany clients to shopping areas or to appointments, using automobile.Inform tenants of facilities, such as laundries or playgrounds.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client intake interviews — conduct using agency forms and protocols under a case manager's review.Resource directories (housing, food, transportation, behavioral health) — locate accurate referrals for routine needs.Case notes and documentation — write factually and confidentially per agency standards.Eligibility screenings for benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF) — complete accurately on standard applications.Confidentiality and HIPAA-equivalent obligations — apply consistently in every client interaction.Mandatory-reporter obligations (child abuse, elder abuse, IPV) — recognize triggers and escalate to a supervisor.Boundary-setting basics with clients — apply consistently across home visits and office encounters.Safety planning fundamentals — deliver pre-built plans on assigned cases with supervisor backstop.Crisis-response protocols — execute by-the-book under a senior staff member's direction.Trauma-informed communication — apply learned techniques on routine client interactions.
developing
Caseload of 15-25 clients with routine needs — manage independently across documentation and follow-up.Resource-coordination across multiple agencies — broker effectively on behalf of clients.Family meetings and case conferences — facilitate substantively on assigned cases.Crisis-line and walk-in coverage — handle routine crises with supervisor backstop.Safety planning on owned cases — develop with clients across IPV, suicidality, and substance-use contexts.Court accompaniment and advocacy — support clients through court appearances on owned cases.Community-partner relationships (schools, hospitals, law enforcement) — develop over a year on the role.Newer case aides and interns — supervise on documentation and basic technique.Specialty populations (veterans, returning citizens, immigrant communities) — serve with cultural humility.Performance-of-self in vicarious-trauma contexts — maintain through supervision, reflection, and self-care practices.
proficient
Complex caseload across high-acuity client populations — manage with autonomy and clinical judgment.Specialty program coordination (re-entry, child welfare, behavioral health) — own program-level outcomes.Difficult-client de-escalation and motivational-interviewing techniques — apply across the practice.Court testimony and advocacy at hearings — deliver credibly across legal-system contexts.Newer caseworkers across the team — mentor on technique and case judgment.Multi-agency case planning meetings — lead substantively on integrated cases.Documentation that holds up across legal, audit, and outcome-reporting contexts — produce reliably.Program-outcome data and case reviews — analyze and translate into team practice changes.Cultural-humility and equity practice — model and coach across the team.Boundary management across years of high-emotional-labor work — sustain through formal and informal supports.
advanced
Program supervisor or case-management team lead — manage a team of 8-15 caseworkers.Program design and grant deliverables — contribute substantively to program logic models and outcome reporting.Community advocacy at local and state level — represent program clients with credibility.Inter-agency leadership and MOU negotiation — own partnerships at the program level.Hiring, training, and performance management — shape the program's talent across multi-year horizons.Senior advocate on policy, racial-equity, and trauma-informed-practice agendas — drive across the organization.Mentorship of MSW interns and case-aide-to-caseworker transitions — develop the field's pipeline.Crisis-response and surge-staffing — lead through with composure during major community events.Program evaluation and improvement — partner with researchers and program officers.Field-level practice and culture — shape across the agency through standards, rituals, and example.
Also known as
99 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Behavioral Health Specialist (Army 68X)Shelter AdvocateReligious Program Specialist (Navy RP)Residential Care AssistantNavy Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy 810B)Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy 001800)Social Work (Army 73A)Psychological AideSocial Services AideReligious Affairs (Air Force 5R0X1)Community AideMental Health Service Superintendent (Air Force 4C091)Religious Affairs Superintendent (Air Force 5R091)Mental Health Service Apprentice (Air Force 4C031)Counselor (Navy 003754)Victim AdvocateClient AdvocateService AideCounseling AideReligious Affairs Apprentice (Air Force 5R031)Youth AdvocateReligious Affairs Journeyman (Air Force 5R051)Community Program AssistantPeer Support SpecialistMental Health Service Journeyman (Air Force 4C051)Social Welfare ClerkCase AideReligious Affairs Manager (Air Force 5R000)Case Work AideMental Health Service Manager (Air Force 4C000)House VisitorClinical Social Work AideSubstance Abuse Control Specialist (Marine Corps 0149)Social Service Designee (SSD)Community Development AideGroup Activities AideFamily Service AssistantCase Management AssistantMilitary and Family Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer (RNCO) (Air Force 8C000)Child Advocate