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
SpeakingSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningService OrientationReading ComprehensionCoordinationWritingMonitoringCritical ThinkingPersuasionJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningTime ManagementNegotiationSystems EvaluationLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingTroubleshootingRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServicePsychologyTherapy and CounselingEnglish LanguageAdministrativeSociology and AnthropologyComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityMedicine and DentistryMathematicsAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesForeign LanguageTransportationEconomics and AccountingChemistrySales and MarketingGeographyProduction and ProcessingBiologyFine ArtsEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionDesignBuilding and ConstructionPhysics
Technology & tools
Database softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordNuance Dragon NaturallySpeakingPointClickCare healthcare softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersWorking with ComputersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProcessing InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
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
59 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Addictions Counselor AssistantAdvocateCase AideCase Management AssistantCase Management CoordinatorCase Work AideCertified Peer SpecialistChild AdvocateChild and Youth Care PractitionerChildren's AideClient AdvocateClinical AssistantClinical Social Work AideCommunity AdvocateCommunity AideCommunity Development AideCommunity Organization AideCommunity Program AssistantCounseling AideCounselor AideCourt AdvocateDirect Support SpecialistDomestic Violence AdvocateFamily AdvocateFamily Service AideFamily Service AssistantFood Management AideGerontology AideGroup Activities AideHome VisitorHouse VisitorHousing AssistantHuman Services AssistantIntake WorkerManagement AideNeighborhood AidePeer Support SpecialistPsychological AideResidential Care AssistantService Aide