Social and Human Service Assistants Go Back to List Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Data base user interface and query software

Tasks
	Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
	Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
	Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
	Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.
	Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
	Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.
	Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
	Meet with youth groups to acquaint them with consequences of delinquent acts.
	Transport and accompany clients to shopping areas or to appointments, using automobile.
	Explain rules established by owner or management, such as sanitation or maintenance requirements or parking regulations.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Knowledge
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
	(Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)

Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.

Browse Through a List of Businesses That Employ People With Your Same Skills
	Potential Employer Search

Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $45,058.00 $21.66  $16.10  $17.49 - $24.24  Bridgeport/Stamford $48,277.00 $23.21  $17.34  $18.60 - $28.12  Hartford $45,452.00 $21.85  $16.44  $17.60 - $23.98  New Haven $43,427.00 $20.88  $15.94  $17.36 - $23.51  New London/Norwich $43,936.00 $21.12  $15.84  $17.13 - $23.72  Waterbury $41,039.00 $19.73  $14.68  $15.46 - $19.69  Torrington $46,937.00 $22.57  $16.51  $17.19 - $27.60

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   1138   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average, and the number of annual openings will offer excellent job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
	Recreation Workers
	Residential Advisors
	Correctional Officers and Jailers
	Psychiatric Technicians
	Teacher Assistants
	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.