Social and Human Service Assistant

Job Responsibilities of Social and Human Service Assistants

The day-to-day tasks that Social and Human Service Assistants are responsible for depends largely on the type of position they hold and the type of organization in which they work. However, there are some general duties that most will be expected to perform as a function of their employment. These may include: 

• Helping to determine what forms of aid a client or group may need. 
• Working with clients and other professionals to develop treatment/assistance plans 
• Locating and researching resources and services that are available to clients, such as housing assistance, nutrition assistance and medical assistance, for example. 
• Aid clients in finding appropriate assistance with daily activities – personal care, transportation or household tasks, for instance. 
• Coordinating client services. 
• Helping clients fill out paperwork and apply for assistance programs. 
• Following up with clients to ensure that appropriate services and assistance are provided. 

Common Employment Settings for Social and Human Service Assistants

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the largest employers of social and human service managers are as follows: individual and family services, nursing and residential care facilities, local government, excluding education and hospitals, religious, grant making, civic, professional, and similar organizations, and community and vocational rehabilitation services.  

Social and community service managers work for non-profit organizations, for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. They also work in a variety of settings, including offices, clinics, hospitals, and shelters. 

Becoming a Social and Human Service Assistant

While entering the workforce as a Social and Human Service Assistant with a high school education and on the job training was once common, most employers in the field today prefer entry-level candidates to have an associate degree in Human and Social Services or a related field. Bryant & Stratton College offers an excellent, career-focused Human & Social Services Associate Degree program for students who are interested in becoming qualified for these positions. 

What Can I Do With My Degree? 

By earning Bryant & Stratton’s Human & Social Services Associate Degree, you become qualified to take your first steps in building a career as a Human and Social Services professional by pursuing entry-level jobs in the field. Positions you can pursue with Social and Human Service Assistant credentials include Community and Social Services Specialist, Crisis Intervention Associate, Recreation Worker and Community Health Worker, among many others. Completing the Human & Social Services Associate Degree program also leaves you well-positioned to continue your education to bachelor’s or master’s level degrees, opening the doors for career advancement. 

Additional Training/Requirements 

Most employers/employment settings require that candidates for Social and Human Service Assistant positions undergo criminal background checks and drug screening tests. Most entry-level employees in this position will be required to complete a brief period of on the job training after being hired as a condition of continued employment. Some employers require that candidates have some work experience in the field, a standard that can be met with paid employment, internships or volunteer work in most cases. 

For further career insights related to the Social and Human Services field, please visit the degree insights section on the Bryant & Stratton College blog.