Director of Senior Services
Town of Amherst, MA, Amherst, MA, United States
The Director of Senior Services leads the daily operations of the Town of Amherst Senior Center and Council on Aging (COA). Responsibilities include administering and overseeing social, educational, recreational, and wellness services and programs to meet the psychological and social-health needs of our diverse and ever-changing senior population. This position will supervise staff including the Social Services Coordinator, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Oversees and administers the daily operations of the Senior Center/Council on Aging (COA) office, including direct services, financial management, keeping of records, and appropriate training and supervision of office staff and volunteers.
Serves as an advocate for the needs of older adults in the community and collaborates with other Town Departments, as well as local universities and colleges, on programs and strategies that have an impact on seniors.
Plans, organizes, promotes, supervises, and occasionally leads, social, educational, recreational and wellness programs to meet the psychological and social-health needs of patrons; Oversees the provision of direct services to patrons (e.g., resource connection and other support assistance, the Senior Health Services Program, the Tax Work-off Program).
Administers and oversees the Highland Valley Elder Services nutrition program to seniors, including general oversight of delivery of services and food safety, and responsibility for monthly and annual reports.
Meets regularly with the Council on Aging (COA), which provides guidance on matters of program policy; Consults with the COA Board as to office operations and related matters; Collaborates with COA members and other stakeholders to implement COA recommendations as practical and appropriate; Attends COA meeting and prepares meeting agendas with input from COA leadership; Consults with COA Secretary on the COA annual report.
Consults with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) on state-wide policy relative to senior services.
Acts as a liaison to local charitable organizations, foundations & trusts serving the senior population, including Amherst Neighbors and the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center-- supporting activities and fundraising efforts, and providing for media and public relations coverage (e.g., preparation and distribution of newsletters, press releases, and feature stories).
Oversees and approves office expenditures, fees, purchases, payments, and payroll; Prepares and administers the Department budget; Drafts grant proposals and related reports and oversees the administration of grants, including the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Formula.
Prepares and files a variety of reports as required or useful, including for Elder Affairs; Develops and updates the Department’s strategic plan; Keeps appropriate records (e.g., as to services provided, patron needs, demographics).
Drafts content for a bi-monthly newsletter, and for radio, cable TV, and regular press releases through local newspapers; Responsible for updating the Department’s content on the Town’s website.
Appropriately trains and supervises office staff, volunteers, and interns, to include conducting case conferences with outreach workers.
Performs other related work as required, directed, or useful.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Community Organization, Social Work, Gerontology, Human Relations, or related field, PLUS 5-7 years of experience in the above fields, OR any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certification in CPR and First Aid
Familiarity with the senior service network
Knowledge of available federal, state, and local services, resources, and funding available to seniors
Knowledge of methods of assessing the needs of older adults
Experience researching and preparing proposals for funding, and in obtaining and managing grants from various sources
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with a diverse audience
Ability to effectively advocate for seniors in a variety of situations which require knowledge, negotiation skills, diplomacy, and tact
Ability to use initiative, persuasion, tact, and judgment in dealing with the seniors, service providers, public officials, and the general public
Familiarity and experience with creative problem-solving techniques
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to prepare and manage budgets and finances
Ability to train and supervise employees and volunteers appropriately and effectively
Working knowledge of public or private nonprofit boards, and common administrative practices
Experience with cross-agency collaboration; Ability and desire to work with other agencies and Town departments to develop and improve services and supports for seniors
Compassion and respect for seniors
Town of Amherst The Town of Amherst is located in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. As the home of Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the town is a hub for education, culture, and innovation. Amherst takes pride in its high standard of government services, quality education systems, and efforts to preserve open space and agriculture. Learn more about the Town of Amherst at https://www.amherstma.gov/
The Town of Amherst enjoys a long tradition of active, participatory, & professional government, and seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community.
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Major Duties and Responsibilities
Oversees and administers the daily operations of the Senior Center/Council on Aging (COA) office, including direct services, financial management, keeping of records, and appropriate training and supervision of office staff and volunteers.
Serves as an advocate for the needs of older adults in the community and collaborates with other Town Departments, as well as local universities and colleges, on programs and strategies that have an impact on seniors.
Plans, organizes, promotes, supervises, and occasionally leads, social, educational, recreational and wellness programs to meet the psychological and social-health needs of patrons; Oversees the provision of direct services to patrons (e.g., resource connection and other support assistance, the Senior Health Services Program, the Tax Work-off Program).
Administers and oversees the Highland Valley Elder Services nutrition program to seniors, including general oversight of delivery of services and food safety, and responsibility for monthly and annual reports.
Meets regularly with the Council on Aging (COA), which provides guidance on matters of program policy; Consults with the COA Board as to office operations and related matters; Collaborates with COA members and other stakeholders to implement COA recommendations as practical and appropriate; Attends COA meeting and prepares meeting agendas with input from COA leadership; Consults with COA Secretary on the COA annual report.
Consults with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) on state-wide policy relative to senior services.
Acts as a liaison to local charitable organizations, foundations & trusts serving the senior population, including Amherst Neighbors and the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center-- supporting activities and fundraising efforts, and providing for media and public relations coverage (e.g., preparation and distribution of newsletters, press releases, and feature stories).
Oversees and approves office expenditures, fees, purchases, payments, and payroll; Prepares and administers the Department budget; Drafts grant proposals and related reports and oversees the administration of grants, including the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Formula.
Prepares and files a variety of reports as required or useful, including for Elder Affairs; Develops and updates the Department’s strategic plan; Keeps appropriate records (e.g., as to services provided, patron needs, demographics).
Drafts content for a bi-monthly newsletter, and for radio, cable TV, and regular press releases through local newspapers; Responsible for updating the Department’s content on the Town’s website.
Appropriately trains and supervises office staff, volunteers, and interns, to include conducting case conferences with outreach workers.
Performs other related work as required, directed, or useful.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Community Organization, Social Work, Gerontology, Human Relations, or related field, PLUS 5-7 years of experience in the above fields, OR any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certification in CPR and First Aid
Familiarity with the senior service network
Knowledge of available federal, state, and local services, resources, and funding available to seniors
Knowledge of methods of assessing the needs of older adults
Experience researching and preparing proposals for funding, and in obtaining and managing grants from various sources
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with a diverse audience
Ability to effectively advocate for seniors in a variety of situations which require knowledge, negotiation skills, diplomacy, and tact
Ability to use initiative, persuasion, tact, and judgment in dealing with the seniors, service providers, public officials, and the general public
Familiarity and experience with creative problem-solving techniques
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to prepare and manage budgets and finances
Ability to train and supervise employees and volunteers appropriately and effectively
Working knowledge of public or private nonprofit boards, and common administrative practices
Experience with cross-agency collaboration; Ability and desire to work with other agencies and Town departments to develop and improve services and supports for seniors
Compassion and respect for seniors
Town of Amherst The Town of Amherst is located in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. As the home of Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the town is a hub for education, culture, and innovation. Amherst takes pride in its high standard of government services, quality education systems, and efforts to preserve open space and agriculture. Learn more about the Town of Amherst at https://www.amherstma.gov/
The Town of Amherst enjoys a long tradition of active, participatory, & professional government, and seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community.
#J-18808-Ljbffr