Social Services Investigator

[Doolkid]

Recap: Graduated college in may 2007 with a BA in Sociology. Still stuck in retail hell.

So I applied for a job today at the state dept of human services office. The job is Social Services Investigator. Job duties entail invesitgating foodstamp fraud and parents delinquent in child support payments.

I'm wondering what everyone thinks about that. My main concern is my safety and working too much overtime. Some overtime is okay but too much would be unacceptable. I want my job to be a job, not my life.

If I got this job, what other jobs could I get from the experience?

[awhitmer83]

First, let me say that I understand your concerns about safety. However, keep in mind that you won't be removing children (which would be done with a police escort) and probably won't do many home visits. Also, most social service agencies have a list of known dangerous families and would not send someone to one of those homes alone, even for a visit. I would discuss those reservations during the interview.

Second, be aware that most state government jobs have strict regulations about overtime. In my state, anytime you work more than 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day, you are immediately comped off. That is due to the state budget and their inability to pay overtime. For example, my husband works second shift for the state. If he works a double shift, he doesn't work the next night. His work week is actually 37.5 hours, so he earns 2.5 hours of comp time each week. If comp time goes over 150 hours, the state has to cut him a check for 50 of the hours, and they obviously don't like doing this. So every time his comp goes over 120 hours, he gets a few days off to keep it down.

Unfortunately, with a sociology degree, your job prospects will be limited to (mostly) state social service jobs. That's because most states don't require a license and/or a social work specific degree for their employees. Most other jobs will want someone with a license. For example, I work in community mental health, which is state, but even the case managers (the only bachelor-level jobs we have) must have a degree in psychology or social work because they have to be licensed. Sociology majors no longer have the option to sit for licensure exams as far as I know.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the job!

[winneythepooh7]

What about getting an entry-level job working in a group home or something like that? It would provide you with a lot more experience and opportunities for networking in my professional opinion.

[Doolkid]

Thanks guys! :)

You definitly eased my concerns about the job, awhitman.

Winnie, there seems to be hardly any group homes in my area and what little there are have no openings. And it honestly seems less appealing than the invesigator job, though it might be more professionally beneficial like you said. Going through some of the other DHS listings, having a year or two experience doing that job, I could move up to better positions.

I'm still not sure about this invesigator job though.

[winneythepooh7]

Well, good luck with whatever happens. Bear in mind though, that the position that you describe is going to be less "social workey" and more bureacratic in nature. (Basically paper-pushing, reviewing applications and such and a lot less contact and general SUPPORT to people in need). I also really wonder how much contact you are going to have with "clients". And the NATURE of that contact. I could see the potential of this kind of position getting very stressful for you, very quickly.

I am sure it will be a good learning experience, but make sure you do your homework before accepting, if in fact you are offered this kind of role. I have been dealing with agencies like this and the people who work for them for over 10 years, and it's generally not a happy experience on EITHER end. Unless you are a caseworker, it really, really sounds like you are going to be in an office reviewing applications and such, and maybe having a client come in here and there, having to follow everything by the books, often being powerless to really help anyone.

Also, many times, good agencies with entry-level positions aren't exactly "advertised". There may be some places in your community to work that you haven't heard about. Just sayin'. Do you have anyone you can reach out to that actually works in the social work field in your area? That's a good way to start to find out what exists for you.

I hope I didn't scare you, but I am just being honest about what my experience has been with the place you describe.

[Musicvixen24]

I think you need to look "outside the box" of sociology related positions. Not only are those under paid, but the ones that require a degree, don't pay equal to that amount thy should (overgeneralizing, i know)

I got a BA in soc, and I was in restaurant hell. I was looking at all this soc related jobs. whenever I would call, the staff was not pleasant and they were undereducated, they wanted me to go to unsafe parts of town with grassroots, or so many people were applying for the same non profit listed on Idealist. i almost accepted job for ACORN that would have had me on the streets in the bronx going door to door, informing people about issues in their neighborhood

Then i opened up what I was looking for. I knew i wanted to do administrative, so i searched indeed.com for those in my area......i interviewed and sent out a lot of resumes....due to my preference, i did not want to work for just a business. So i kept on looking...then in december, after 4 months...... I found an administrative position in a hospital, so i can still help people, where I get health benefits that a lot of NP don't offer, It pays 10,000 more than other posted for a BA and limited experience and they will pay for my masters in social work ....

I have been through a lot, but i think you need to broaden your search to areas that you wouldn't normally look at. you never know, and even if you work at a non related job for a year, you could save some money so you can take time off to find a job, or you may meet someone, or maybe you'll like it. you never know

[artemis83]

I did a minor in Sociology, loved it!

What about doing social research? I don't think they pay much, but it's excellent experience. See if any university or college departments are looking for anyone, dealing with demographics is a good way to start I think.