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Social services specialist vs human service specialist

The differences between social services specialists and human service 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 human service specialist. Additionally, a human service specialist has an average salary of $49,025, which is higher than the $48,359 average annual salary of a social services specialist.

The top three skills for a social services specialist include social work, patients and substance abuse. The most important skills for a human service specialist are mental health, social work, and program eligibility.

Social services specialist vs human service specialist overview

Social Services SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Yearly salary$48,359$49,025
Hourly rate$23.25$23.57
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs154,022124,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
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 human service specialist do?

Human services specialists provide a range of social services with the purpose of improving the quality of life of people they serve. They can work for organizations, including housing associations, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, residential care homes, and food banks. Most of their duties involve interacting with people and conduct counseling. This job also requires active listening skills to comprehend your clients easily and understand their needs to provide care for people in difficult circumstances.

Social services specialist vs human service specialist salary

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

Social Services SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Average salary$48,359$49,025
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $33,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoHawaii
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncRegeneron
Best paying industryInsuranceGovernment

Differences between social services specialist and human service specialist education

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

Social Services SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Dominguez HillsSUNY at Binghamton

Social services specialist vs human service specialist demographics

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

Social Services SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 22.5% Female, 77.5%
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, 15.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between social services specialist and human service 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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Human service specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the MSW staff and coordinate all social service and select patient service activities.
  • Establish effective liaisons with community agencies to ensure coordination of services to patients.
  • Developed/Implement a health education/risk reduction program for HIV/AIDS patients engaging in high-risk behaviors.
  • Help clients reach self-sufficiency by referring clients to employment and vocational rehabilitation agencies.
  • Work with employees of local drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers to determine eligibility for inpatients.
  • Assign as a provider enrollment specialist responsible for credentialing and enrolling new medical providers into the Medicaid provider network.
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Social services specialist vs human service specialist skills

Common social services specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Substance Abuse, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Term Care, 7%
  • MDS, 6%
Common human service specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 13%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Program Eligibility, 6%
  • Medicaid, 5%
  • Social Services, 5%
  • Community Resources, 5%

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