If you enjoy working with community service projects and helping others, you
might want to check into being a social and human service assistant.
Description
Social and human service assistant is an umbrella term for many job titles.
Some of those jobs might be working as a case management aide, social work
assistant, community outreach worker, or life skill counselor. They work under
the supervision of people in a variety of fields, including social work,
psychiatry, nursing and rehabilitative or physical therapy. Because this
occupation falls under so many varied fields, job descriptions are also quite
diverse. Basically, social and human service assistants provide some form of
aide to clients relative to the given field.
Setting and Conditions
Again, since the jobs are so varied under this occupation, so are the
settings. Some people may work indoors in traditional offices or clinics, while
others may work in shelters, halfway houses or may travel to private homes. A
forty-hour week is normal, but there may be some variance in evening or weekend
schedules.
Working in these fields can be quite emotionally draining due to the nature
of the work. Heavy workloads and fairly low pay can cause additional stress
also.
Training and Qualifications
While there are many opportunities within this field for those who do not
have a college degree at this point, employers are increasingly looking for
college graduates. However, those with a high school diploma, will often
receive comprehensive on-the-job training. Some jobs in the field may also
require additional items, such as a valid driver’s license or a background
check.
Employers in this area are looking for people who are effective communicators,
are extremely responsible and reliable, and effective at time management. Also,
due to the nature of this occupation, applicants must exhibit a strong desire
to help others and show compassion for those in need.
Money
Again, as of 2002, the median annual income for people in this occupation
was $23,370. Annual earnings ranged from $18,670 to $37,550 at the top.
Generally, those people employed by state government agencies earned the most
per year on average.