Human services jobs include counseling efforts for runaways, child abuse victims, and battered spouses, as well as providing assistance to the elderly. In some areas, human services include working closely with health departments, especially during flu season or other outbreaks of communicable diseases. It doesn't stop there, however. Human services personnel stand ready to join a community after hurricanes and other weather-related tragedies, community emergencies such as contaminated water supplies, and other issues facing collective cities and towns. You'll find physicians, social workers, nurses, community leaders, and volunteers working closely together to protect those in need. It's often a thankless job, but very rewarding for those who contribute to this very important sector of our society.
If you're a nurturer and have a high tolerance for stress, human services jobs may be ideal for you. A recent poll by the government's Health and Human Services division shows that 79 percent of agencies believe they're not staffed adequately to meet the demand for their services. Most especially troublesome to these agencies is the shortage of volunteers and mentors. Although there is a great need for more personnel, state and federal budgets are often in a crunch. Congress continues to work on better solutions to ensure communities and cities are able to adequately staff their organizations, but long-term solutions appear to be evasive.
One relatively new concept is that of the community organizer. Job availability for these visible roles appears to be on the rise. More communities are beginning to see the need for a "command post" where the flow of information is consistent and dependable. Community affairs, such as parades, council meetings, overseeing parks, and ensuring local governments remain in compliance with state laws, are but a few of the responsibilities that a community organizer can tackle. Aside from these roles, community organizers often coordinate field trips for local schools, prepare bid notices for publication in local newspapers, and oversee food banks and homeless shelters. They organize committees from those targeting alcohol prevention efforts within their communities to those choosing locations for new fairgrounds or community centers. Simply stated, if it involves and affects the community, the organizer is the force that propels it forward. Generally speaking, community organizers have a marketing degree and have experience with public relations, public speaking, and are comfortable working under close scrutiny since many of their projects are financed through tax dollars. The size of the city or community often determines the number of associated staff members, and it's not uncommon to have only the organizer and an assistant working full-time, with support staff being called in as needed.
A director of licensed care is responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines regarding the safety and well-being of those not able to care for themselves. As such, these directors are the points of contact for state health departments and, often, state finance auditing departments. A degree is required and the responsibilities determine what he or she must hold a degree in. It's not uncommon to see dual business management and social services degrees among those in these positions. They require a high level of maturity and dedication, since many lives are often at stake when it comes to guidelines regarding nursing homes, hospitals, and health departments. Commitment and patience are also necessary due to the fact that personnel interact daily with elderly patients, those with substance abuse problems, and patients with mental health issues. They often report to local or county mayors or board presidents and must work closely with nursing home and hospital administrators. Because laws are revised as required and vary from state to state, it's especially important that new laws and guidelines are put into place immediately. Continuing education requirements sometimes exist, especially with issues such as Medicare and Medicaid and those of private insurance markets.
The positions outlined here offer the knowledge that their work affects those who are least able to provide for themselves. It's highly rewarding and those who can remain focused often do well in these roles. There are many who volunteer alongside those working for salaries, and as such there's a sense of teamwork and a certain satisfaction in knowing you've been part of a job well done. Per the Health and Human Services website, there remains a demand for these positions and the opportunity for advancement is high. With the high public visibility factor, those who perform better outside the spotlight are better suited for support roles within these sectors.
