Jurisdiction:   Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Non-Competitive

Adopted:  10/20/05

Amended: 12/1/11

 

 

DIRECTOR, AREA AGENCY ON AGING

 

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: 

 

The work involves responsibility for directing services and activities offered by the Area Agency on Aging.  This office attempts to improve the status and condition of the senior citizens through the planning and coordination of various services and programs and the provision of necessary direct assistance.  The work is performed under the administrative direction of the County Administrator and the general direction of the County Legislature in conformance with local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations, with wide latitude allowed in the administration of the overall program.  Also receives general supervision from the New York State Office for the Aging.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:     (Illustrative only)

 

Plans, organizes, promotes, and directs varied services and activities designed to meet the needs of senior citizens;

Evaluates and assesses the needs of senior citizens and the effectiveness of agencies and organizations serving or having the potential to serve senior citizens;

Supervises administrative functions such as budgeting, finance, personnel, purchasing, and contract administration;

Develops and administers the area plan for programs on aging;

Coordinates services of the Area Agency on Aging with other community agencies and departments;

Maintains cooperative working relationships with public officials and community leaders to advocate on behalf of all senior citizens in the community;

Provides technical assistance to various community agencies and organizations regarding services and programs;

Assumes primary leadership and responsibility for the implementation and development of the Nutrition Program for senior citizens;

Conducts research on the needs of senior citizens and develops proposals and alternative approaches for meeting those goals;

Provides counseling and referral services to senior citizens;

Appoints and disciplines personnel;

Conducts training programs for staff and volunteer workers;

Conducts and attends conferences, workshops, and seminars on problems of senior citizens;

Prepares applications for State and Federal grants;

Prepares or supervises the preparation and distribution of reports, press releases, and related materials;

Recruits, selects and provides direction to staff to achieve the goals of the Area Agency on Aging.

 

 

 

DIRECTOR, AREA AGENCY ON AGING                                                           2

 

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: 

 

Thorough knowledge of characteristics, needs and interests of senior citizens,

 especially as they related to income, health, housing, recreation, nutrition and

transportation;

Thorough knowledge of community agencies and facilities which can provide services for senior citizens,

Good knowledge of administrative principles and practices and of their effective

application to a community group;

Good knowledge of public information and public relations techniques;

Good knowledge of the grant application process and monitoring;

Working knowledge of State and Federal agencies providing services or grants for

services for senior citizens;

Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;

Ability to formulate a local government needs assessment for program areas;

Ability to prepare budgets, operating reports and a variety of other reports relative to

program activities;

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing;

 Physical condition commensurate with the duties of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

 (a)      Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited

by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Master’s degree or higher in social or behavioral sciences, public health, public administration, recreation education, gerontology, nutrition or related field and two (2) years of full time paid administrative experience in community organization or the field of aging; or

(b)               Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in social or behavioral sciences, public health, public administration, recreation education, gerontology, nutrition or related field and three (3) years of full time paid experience in community organization or the field of aging, including at least one year in an administrative or supervisory capacity; or

(c)               Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degrees or higher in social or behavioral sciences, public health, public administration, recreation education, gerontology, nutrition or related field and five (5) years of full-time paid experience in community organization or the field of aging, including at least one year in an administrative or supervisory capacity; or

(c)        An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a), (b) and (c).

 

NOTE:  One year of experience as described in (a), (b) or (c) may be substituted for one (1) year of formal education.