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Social services specialist vs specialist

The differences between social services specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a social services specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a specialist has an average salary of $58,013, 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 specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Social services specialist vs specialist overview

Social Services SpecialistSpecialist
Yearly salary$48,359$58,013
Hourly rate$23.25$27.89
Growth rate12%10%
Number of jobs154,022358,433
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4342
Years of experience122

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 specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Social services specialist vs specialist salary

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

Social Services SpecialistSpecialist
Average salary$48,359$58,013
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateNew MexicoNew Jersey
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncThe Citadel
Best paying industryInsurance-

Differences between social services specialist and specialist education

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

Social Services SpecialistSpecialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorSocial WorkBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Dominguez HillsStanford University

Social services specialist vs specialist demographics

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

Social Services SpecialistSpecialist
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between social services specialist and 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

Specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
  • Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
  • Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
  • Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
  • Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
  • Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).
  • Show more

Social services specialist vs specialist skills

Common social services specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Substance Abuse, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Term Care, 7%
  • MDS, 6%
Common specialist skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Exceptional Client, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%

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