CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
5A51
OLDER ADULT SERVICES DIRECTOR
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is administrative recreation program work, directing, through subordinate supervisors, the
provision of social service, nutrition, and recreation programs in city-administered older adult centers.
The employee in this class is responsible for planning, developing, administering, and evaluating program
policies, standards, and operations. Conferring with governmental and private officials and representa-
tives of older adult advocacy groups to ensure effective program implementation is a significant aspect
of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)
- The position must direct, through subordinate supervisors, all older adult programming for a
City-wide older adult services program.
- Only one employee will be allocated to this class.
- This position must be located in the Recreation Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
- Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the implementation of city-administered centers of a
comprehensive program for the benefit of older adults which includes social service and counseling, group
and individual recreational activities, life skills education programs, congregate meal programs, social
and cultural excursions, and transportation/escort services; develops program objectives and procedures
for implementation in centers; interprets and determines staffing requirements for budgetary allocation;
evaluates performances of subordinate personnel; oversees budgetary and requisitioning functions for the
older adult services program; prepares and presents grant proposals for outside funding.
- Develops and establishes policies and procedures for the provision of older adult services;
determines eligibility requirements for program participants; evaluates needs of various program areas;
recommends new programs or revision of existing programs; meets with older adult center directors to
discuss strategies for increasing the effectiveness of programs; reviews reports submitted by older adult
center directors on the progress and utilization of programs; conducts periodic reviews of older adult
center activities.
- Participates in conferences and meetings with public and private agencies for the purpose of
developing more effective services and programs for the older population; prepares recommendations to
older adult service providers to improve the delivery of services to older adults.
- Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- group work principles, practices and techniques.
- current social, economic and health problems affecting the aged.
- services available to the aged and their methods of delivery.
- federal, state, and local regulations affecting care of the aged.
- the functions of public health and welfare agencies as they regard elderly persons.
- recreational programming for the aged.
- supervisory and administrative methods and techniques.
- the appropriate use of multi-disciplinary personnel working with older adults and the ability to
analyze and assign functions accordingly.
ABILITY TO:
- evaluate programs, systems and activities through analysis of data, and to take actions necessary
to implement desired change.
- interpret statistical findings.
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, administrative officials,
interested groups and the general public.
- express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
- effect sound management practices in the administration of older adult programs.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
(The following statement represents the
minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.
Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience
requirements as approved on 12/96.)
EDUCATION:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major
concentration in social sciences, behavioral sciences, or gerontology.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
- Five years of experience in social service or group work with older adults.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
- Two years of supervisory social service or group work experience, directing all older adult
programs in a multi-service older adult services center.
NOTE:
- Recreation facilities providing older adult services comprising at least 50% of all
programmed activities will be regarded as older adult service centers.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the
Personnel Department which has included completion of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
(A master's degree in one of the areas indicated above or in a related area of administration may be
substituted for one year of general experience.)
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
PAY RANGE: EP24
Class Established: 1/1987
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC - 8/1995 ; Ad Board - 12/1995
TV/vp/pls
END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 5A51