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Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Community and Social Service (21-1021)

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

At a Glance

Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns a median of $58,570/yr with +3.4% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Dependability, Social Orientation, Cooperation.

Median Annual Wage

$58,570/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.4%

Annual Openings

35

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (15)

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.

4.9
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.5
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

4.1
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

4.1
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

4.0
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.9
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.9
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.8
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

3.8
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.8
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.8
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.8
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.4

Knowledge (7)

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.

4.3
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.

4.1
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.

4.1
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.8
Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

3.6
Sociology and Anthropology

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

3.4
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.

3.3

Abilities (11)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.6
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.4
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.3
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.1
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.1
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.0
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.9
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.9
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.9
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.5
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5

Technology (6)

Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (27)

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.7
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.6
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.6
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.5
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.5
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.4
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.4
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.4
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.2
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

4.1
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.1
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.0
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

4.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.9
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.9
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.8
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.8
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.7
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.7
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.7
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.6
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.6
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.4

Work Styles (6)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Self-Control

A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

4.3
Stress Tolerance

A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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