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Social services specialist vs developmental specialist

The differences between social services specialists and developmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a social services specialist and a developmental specialist. Additionally, a social services specialist has an average salary of $48,359, which is higher than the $42,829 average annual salary of a developmental specialist.

The top three skills for a social services specialist include social work, patients and substance abuse. The most important skills for a developmental specialist are social work, developmental disabilities, and autism.

Social services specialist vs developmental specialist overview

Social Services SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Yearly salary$48,359$42,829
Hourly rate$23.25$20.59
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs154,0227,776
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a social services specialist do?

A Social Services Specialist provides social services to children and adults in communities, facilities, institutions, or hospitals. They develop and implement specialized treatment programs.

What does a developmental specialist do?

A developmental specialist typically works in the human resources department. Your job involves training employees and encouraging their peers to participate. Other duties include evaluating the company's HR and training programs, identifying the best type of training to ensure employee and company success, and designing and developing employee discussions, simulations, and exercises. In addition, you are expected to network with prospective donors and look for new funding sources. You are also expected to promote the organization's cause or work through advertisements, soirees, and literature.

Social services specialist vs developmental specialist salary

Social services specialists and developmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Social Services SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Average salary$48,359$42,829
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoAlaska
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncUMass Memorial Health
Best paying industryInsuranceProfessional

Differences between social services specialist and developmental specialist education

There are a few differences between a social services specialist and a developmental specialist in terms of educational background:

Social Services SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Social services specialist vs developmental specialist demographics

Here are the differences between social services specialists' and developmental specialists' demographics:

Social Services SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between social services specialist and developmental specialist duties and responsibilities

Social services specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide comprehensive case management to DCFS clients and their families to achieve case goals as outlined in the client service plan.
  • Provide supervision to social services assistant and MSW intern.
  • Retain potential clients base on the strength of their SSDI claim.
  • Participate in group staffing to discuss the best interest of children and families who have open cases with DSS.
  • Plan and execute case work activities to expedite safety first, permanence and well-being of child in DSS custody.
  • Develop working relationships with other DHS umbrella agencies.
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Developmental specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide PSR services to clients with mental illness in order to help them achieve the highest standard of living possible.
  • Team leader in charge of receiving referrals make for children on the autism spectrum, communication delays and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Participate in weekly individual therapy sessions with young children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Participate in transition classes for children transferring from EI services to daycare and Headstart settings.4.
  • Monitor the completion of ASQ's.
  • Show more

Social services specialist vs developmental specialist skills

Common social services specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Substance Abuse, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Term Care, 7%
  • MDS, 6%
Common developmental specialist skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 8%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
  • Developmental Delays, 6%
  • Support Services, 6%

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