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Social services specialist vs outreach specialist

The differences between social services specialists and outreach 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 an outreach specialist. Additionally, a social services specialist has an average salary of $48,359, which is higher than the $41,863 average annual salary of an outreach specialist.

The top three skills for a social services specialist include social work, patients and substance abuse. The most important skills for an outreach specialist are customer service, patients, and social work.

Social services specialist vs outreach specialist overview

Social Services SpecialistOutreach Specialist
Yearly salary$48,359$41,863
Hourly rate$23.25$20.13
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs154,02246,523
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 an outreach specialist do?

An outreach specialist is primarily responsible for organizing and managing social service programs that promote health and wellness within a community. They typically conduct research and assessments to determine the community's needs, thoroughly plan events and programs, participate in hiring staff and volunteers, and liaise with sponsors and suppliers. Often reporting to a manager or supervisor, an outreach specialist must also perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports, preparing necessary documentation, managing schedules, arranging appointments, and even responding to inquiries and concerns.

Social services specialist vs outreach specialist salary

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

Social Services SpecialistOutreach Specialist
Average salary$48,359$41,863
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $29,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew MexicoCalifornia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncCME Group
Best paying industryInsuranceGovernment

Differences between social services specialist and outreach specialist education

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

Social Services SpecialistOutreach Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorSocial WorkBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Dominguez HillsUniversity of Southern California

Social services specialist vs outreach specialist demographics

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

Social Services SpecialistOutreach Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%
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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between social services specialist and outreach 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.
  • Show more

Outreach specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage low volume Medicare caseload when need.
  • Manage incoming/outgoing referrals and some ICD-9 medical coding.
  • Preform contact investigations on active TB clients.
  • Conduct thorough, detail screenings of contacts through TB Mantoux test.
  • Enter new clients into MedFORCE (EMR) and maintain electronic records.
  • Complete all documentation in state EMR's to prepare client file for discharge.
  • Show more

Social services specialist vs outreach specialist skills

Common social services specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Substance Abuse, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Term Care, 7%
  • MDS, 6%
Common outreach specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Veterans, 4%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%

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