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Boston Career Explorer

Management

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, 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.

Also called: Adoption Services Manager, Child Welfare Services Director, Children's Service Supervisor, Clinical Services Director, Community Services Director, Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor

Compare with my current job (Public Relations Specialists)
Median pay in Greater Boston
$85,430
$41.07/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
5,730
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+6.2%
730 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$62,180$70,620$85,430$104,910$132,230

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
  • Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
  • Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
  • Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
  • Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
  • Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure78 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 79
  • Language-model AIOE 82
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 72

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

This job has higher AI exposure, and substantial AI use has been observed. AI tools can help with records, reports, and budgets. Leading staff and volunteers, judging program quality, and shaping who a program serves still depend on people and their judgment.

Likely to change

  • Preparing records, reports, and budgets
  • Drafting training manuals and procedures

Still relies on people

  • Leading staff and volunteers day to day
  • Deciding program eligibility and benefits

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

    Your experience with social programs, case records, and talking with families carries over. It offers higher pay and faster projected growth in Massachusetts.

    Pay difference
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    AI exposure
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    MA growth
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    Bachelor's degree

  • Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

    Working with people in need, keeping records, and following program rules carry over. It offers higher pay and a bachelor's degree path.

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  • Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

    Writing policies, evaluating programs, and protecting people carry over. It offers higher pay and strong projected growth in Massachusetts (13.2%).

    Pay difference
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    AI exposure
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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

92 programs near Boston (plus 62 graduate)

Related occupations

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