Charles Houston Center Senior Program Manager

Charles Houston Center Senior Program Manager

SALARY :

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CATEGORY : Resident and Community Services

JOB TYPE : Full time

CAREER LEVEL : Mid Career (2+ years of experience)

JOB LOCATION : Alexandria, VA.

Summary

Responsible for overall operations of the Senior Center at Charles Houston, a program located within the Charles Houston Recreation Center, which supports the personal, social, and cultural growth of senior residents aged sixty (60) and older.

This program is sponsored in partnership with the City of Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services’ Division of Aging and Adult Services.

The Senior Center encourages seniors to retain their independence and use their talents and experiences through participation in community-based events, excursions, educational seminars, fitness, and enrichment activities.

The CHC program also provides nutrition education and offers daily congregate meals for participants. The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed.

The omission of specific statements regarding duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment in association with this position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, designs, organizes, and coordinates activities and events for seniors to foster program goals and objectives, including facilitating group activities directly related to improving the emotional and physical well-being of the senior participants.
• Develops and updates a realistic plan for dealing with senior activity challenges on a short- and long-term basis.
• Provides information on program services and requirements on the phone, in person, or through home visits, as appropriate, and explains procedures and program processes or makes referrals to other community agencies.
• Interviews and assesses the needs of program participants to enable balanced planning of programs to meet individual needs in terms of personal and recreational development and opportunities.
• Identifies current and ongoing activities by local, state, and federal entities addressing senior issues. Coordinates the Program’s senior efforts with those of other local, state, and federal entities and seeks their assistance wherever possible to meet the recreational and social needs of senior participants.
• Serves as the Authority’s representative for the Commission of Aging and Adult Services and is responsible for attending meetings and providing requested updates and information for the Commission.
• Monitors results of senior programs and prepares and maintains written records and monthly reports on progress related to program activities and individual cases.

Evaluates programs’ utilization and success, modifying and making changes, as appropriate.

• Updates and replenishes resources, equipment, supplies, and other materials needed for the programs on a timely basis and assists with purchase orders and requisitions while adhering to budget restrictions.
• Maintains weekly activities reports and keeps records of all programs offered.
• Organizes and implements well-planned excursions / field trips and off-site activities.
• Develops and promotes recreation programs, special events, and special interest classes (e.g., arts, crafts, home and garden, health seminars and lectures, exercise classes, cooking, cultural events, celebrations, games, etc.).
• Examines recreation facilities and addresses maintenance concerns to ensure a safe and healthy environment for plan participants.

Additionally, maintains relationship with the Director of Charles Houston Recreation Center and the Division of Aging and Adult Services, to make certain that the Senior Center program has access to sufficient space and facilities during program hours.

Prepares news releases, flyers, newsletters, calendars, and posters for activities or programs and contacts outside community agencies to increase public and resident awareness of Senior Center programs.

Additionally, ensures that the CHC website is updated on a regular basis with program information.

• Attends and participates in appropriate trainings and meetings to ensure continued awareness and familiarity with new developments and insight, standards, practices, and procedures, relevant to the employee’s position.
• Responsible for recruitment, orientation, coordination of efforts, and management of paid and volunteer workers and ancillary staff.
• Accountable for consistent adherence to strong Authority standards regarding the ethical, responsible, and appropriate use, care, and safeguarding of Authority materials, supplies, resources, and other assets.
• Undertakes and performs other work-related duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise balance the workload.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Bachelor's Degree preferred. At least three (3) years of experience in Social Work, Senior Services, or experience providing services to elderly and understanding of issues related to aging in place.

Experience working with ethnically diverse groups of low and moderate-income senior populations.

Ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others, along with good knowledge of the typical problems and needs of seniors.

General knowledge of social work and resources available through community agencies.

Ability to assess the needs of participants and their ability to utilize available services.

Ability to deal effectively with situations that require tact and diplomacy, with firmness.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, residents, and community agencies and other sources that provide services.

Ability to understand and follow moderately complex written and oral instructions and to communicate and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities.

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing in order to present information in a clear and professional manner.

Ability to operate appropriate Authority computer equipment and software packages.

Valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Supervision Given and Received

The employee follows instructions from the Director of Resident and Community Services. Normally, the employee plans and carries out work activities with minimal supervision and independently resolves problems that arise, establishing priorities and time frames.

The Director of Resident and Community Services monitors the employee’s work and spot checks it for thoroughness, effectiveness, compliance with procedures and guidelines, and achievement of established objectives.

The employee supervises the work and activities of volunteers and two additional CHC Senior Program staff, as required by the grant, and within parameters defined by the Director of Resident and Community Services.

Guidelines

The employee follows regulations and guidelines issued by HUD regarding community services, resident services, resident participation, and applicable Authority policies and procedures.

The employee may act independently in making decisions about the best course of action in routine situations. In situations for which there are no guidelines, the employee may adapt existing guidelines if applicable and make a decision based on the circumstances, or seek guidance from the supervisor.

When new guidelines are required, the employee develops them in consultation with the supervisor.

Complexity

Most of the work performed by the employee is routine. Problems and issues may be relatively easy to identify, but solutions difficult to implement.

Persuading families of participants to become more involved in seniors’ lives and activities may be difficult, and working with seniors one-on-one may be difficult if there is insufficient staff.

The employee identifies work that needs to be done, prioritizes and coordinates efforts and performs the tasks. The employee consults the supervisor in making decisions regarding unusual or sensitive situations.

Scope and Effect

The employee’s work affects residents throughout the Authority and the City of Alexandria. Performing work effectively, efficiently, and with compassion enhances relationships between residents and the Authority and enhances the lifestyle and morale of resident seniors.

Personal Contacts

The employee’s contacts are primarily with co-workers, residents, and city and community service organizations and agencies.

Such contacts require courtesy, firmness, and tact and effective communications with a variety of individuals from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds.

The purpose of contacts is to obtain information about senior resident issues, and obtain guidance and assistance available from other entities to improve seniors’ morale and lifestyles.

Physical Demands

Work involves both physical and sedentary activity. Physical exertion may be necessary for reaching, kneeling or crouching to obtain supplies, carrying, standing, pushing, pulling, and other moderate tasks.

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, residents, service agencies, and work-related contacts in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.

Must be able to sit or stand for up to eight hours at a time while performing work duties. Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull in the performance of work-related duties (e.

g., moving or carrying objects or materials). Must be able to use fingers bilaterally and unilaterally to operate office equipment including computers, copiers, printers, facsimile machines, telephone, etc.

Must have vision and hearing corrected to be able to perform essential job functions. Must maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.

Some evenings or weekends may be required for certain special events or meetings. Work involves the normal risks or discomfort associated with an office environment or indoor / outdoor recreational activities and excursions.

Work is usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted, and ventilated.

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