CAREER GUIDE FOR SOCIAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE MANAGERS
SOC Code: 11-9151
Pay Band(s): 5 and 6 (Salary Structure)
Standard Occupational Description: Plan, organize, 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.
Social and Community Service Managers in the Commonwealth are assigned to the following Roles in the Program Administration Career Group:
Program Administration Manager II
Program Administration Manager III
While Social and Community Service Managers within the Commonwealth are all located within the Program Administration Career Group, individuals may want to pursue other opportunities within the Commonwealth depending upon individual training, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and interests.
Other Career Group(s) that may be of interest are:
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND TASKS
(Technical and Functional Expertise)
Skills
Note: The technical and functional skills listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Social and Community Service Managers commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the skills listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.
1.
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.
2.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
3.
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
4.
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
5.
Teaching others how to do something.
6.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
7.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
8.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
9.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
10.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Knowledge
Note: The technical and functional knowledge statements listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Social and Community Service Managers commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the knowledge listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.
The Knowledge of:
1.
Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
2.
Principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
3.
Human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
4.
Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
5.
Group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
6.
Administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
7.
Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
8.
Principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
9.
Principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Abilities
Note: The technical and functional abilities listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Social and Community Service Managers commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the abilities listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.
The Ability to:
1.
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
2.
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
3.
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
4.
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
5.
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
6.
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
7.
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
8.
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
9.
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
10.
Come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Tasks
Note: The following is a list of sample tasks typically performed by Social and Community Service Managers. Employees in this occupation will not necessarily perform all of the tasks listed.
1.
Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in community in order to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.
2.
Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
3.
Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
4.
Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers in order to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
5.
Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
6.
Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
7.
Research and analyze member or community needs in order to determine program directions and goals.
8.
Speak to community groups to explain and interpret agency purposes, programs, and policies.
9.
Recruit, interview, and hire or sign up volunteers and staff.
10.
Represent organizations in relations with governmental and media institutions.
INTERESTED?
Like people, occupations have traits or characteristics. These characteristics give important clues about the nature of the work and work environment, and give you an opportunity to match your own personal interests to a specific occupation. When you choose a job in an occupation that matches your own interests you have taken an important step in planning a successful and rewarding career.
The Social and Community Service Managers occupation has the following characteristics:
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Generally this is not required for Social and Community Service Manager positions in state government.
However, there may be licensure or certification related to the specialty program (mental health, mental retardation, counseling, social work, criminal justice services, human rights, probation and parole, community development).
Certification and licensing information can be found at the following web locations:
Department of Health Professions (Licensing Boards)
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
http://www.crccertification.com/
Managers with the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible for the Virginia Certified Public Manager Program offered by the Department of Human Resource Management. Web site is http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/training/cpm/cpmhome.htm.
This certificate program offers practitioner-oriented course work that builds upon management training programs offered through agencies, colleges, and universities.
Attainment of the Certified Administrative Manager (CAM) designation offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers, through work experience and successful completion of examinations, can increase a manager's advancement potential. The Institute of Certified Professional Managers is a certifying organization and offers a management certification program. The Institute is located at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Web site is http://cob.jmu.edu/icpm. Management Skills is the theme of the program, which emphasizes the teaching and application of real-world, practical skills and techniques over theories, and critical-thinking skills over rote knowledge.
Certification enhances profession growth and career progression.
EDUCATIONAL, TRAINING, AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Social and Community Service Managers manage, plan, organize, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization.
Generally, most employers require a degree/advanced degree with major studies in the behavioral or social sciences, administration of justice, public administration, or a related field.
The State Council of Higher Education lists many Virginia colleges and universities that offer educational programs in behavioral or social sciences, business administration and public administration. The State Council of Higher Education's of Virginia 's web site is http://www.schev.edu/Students/FindaProgram.asp?from=k12.
Other management training opportunities may be offered through the Virginia Center for Public Policy at VCU (www.oppt.org) such as attendance at the various progressive level management courses and institutes for managers and executives (i.e. Virginia Supervisory Institute (VSI), Advanced Management Institute (AMI) and the Virginia Executive Institute (VEI).
COMMONWEALTH COMPETENCIES
Competencies are a set of identified behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities that directly and positively impact the success of employees and the organization. Competencies can be observed and measured. When consistently demonstrated, competencies make employees particularly effective in their work. Competencies help lay out a road map to career success. You can use the Commonwealth Competencies to help improve your individual performance by adopting behaviors that make high performing employees successful in their jobs. In this way, you can use the Commonwealth Competencies for your further professional development.
The Commonwealth Competencies are:
1.
Technical and Functional Expertise
2.
Understanding the Business
3.
Achieving Results
4.
Serving the Customer
5.
Teamwork
6.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
7.
Leadership and Personal Effectiveness
The above competencies may be applied to employees throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. They can be rank-ordered by agencies and hiring managers to represent the needs of a specific job. The rank ordering will change depending upon the occupation, an organization's priorities, the actual job requirements, and the supervisor's preferences.
Career success is both about what you do (applying your technical knowledge, skills, and ability) and how you do it (the consistent behaviors you demonstrate and choose to use) while interacting and communicating with others. Hopefully, by studying the Commonwealth competencies, identifying your developmental opportunities, and working to refine your own competence, you can take charge of your career!
For additional information about the Commonwealth Competencies go to: http://jobs.virginia.gov/cd_main.html. For the competencies, we first list the competencies and then define each. Finally, we list competency indicators; to describe what successful performance looks like.
COMMONWEALTH CAREER PATH
Career opportunities in the Commonwealth are not limited to moving “up” to the next highest role and pay band, changing positions, or to becoming a supervisor. That's because most roles describe a broad group of occupationally related positions that perform a range of work that requires increased knowledge and skills. For that reason, Commonwealth roles describe the career paths within the same or higher-level role for the same or different Career Group. The broad salary range and the Commonwealth's pay practices provide flexibility in recognizing career development and advancement. (Salary Structure)
For example: Social and Community Service Managers
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Pay Band |
Manager Role |
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5 |
Program Admin Manager II |
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6 |
Program Admin Manager III |
Sample Career Path
Program Administration Manager II
The Program Administration Manager II role provides career tracks for managers who focus on immediate to long-range program issues affecting the management of a program. Typical responsibilities within this role include management of administrative, budgeting, planning, scheduling, operational, and programmatic activities.
Program Administration Manager III
The Program Administration Manager III role provides career tracks for managers who oversee multiple program activities that are long-range in focus. Responsibilities include management of complex programs; identification of target population needs, monitoring programs, evaluation of overall program performance, implementation of policies and procedures, and supervision of all levels of program personnel.
ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:
Virginia Employment Commission
http://www.alex.vec.state.va.us/
Virginia Career Resource Network