05/21/1999 41150

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL ON AGING

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible administrative and professional work in providing support and coordination to the Pennsylvania Council on Aging (PCoA) in meeting their responsibilities as mandated in Act 1978-70.

The employee in this class is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the daily activities of the Council in the development and implementation of program initiatives. Work involves providing administrative support and technical assistance to the Council in its review and evaluation of the Department of Aging's (PDA) State Plan on Aging, as well as any and all proposals, plans and reports as developed by the Department of Aging. Work also involves developing program priorities, coordinating sometimes diverse policy issues and regularly interfacing with members of the PCoA, the five (5) Regional Councils, legislators, staff from the Governor's Office and other departments, the Aging network and the general public. Work includes coordinating and monitoring the activities of five (5) Regional Councils. Supervision is exercised over a small professional and clerical staff. General objectives are received from the Deputy Secretary who reviews work through discussions and written reports for program effectiveness in accordance with established performance objectives and standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides administrative support and technical assistance to the Council in its review and evaluation of the Department of Aging's State Plan on Aging, as well as any and all proposals, plans and reports as developed by the PDA.

Serves as the liaison between the Council and all PDA staff, including but not limited to the Department's Legislative Office.

Serves as the liaison between the Council and the Legislative Committee and all government officials.

Informs the Council of matters and issues affecting older persons on an ongoing basis.

Reviews legislation that has or may have an impact on the elderly and reports these findings to the Council.

Represents the Council before executive and legislative officials, business and industrial groups and the public to explain Council activities, actions and positions.

Develops policies and procedures to support the activities of the Council.

Prepares the agenda for meetings, collects and distributes information and background materials and directs the preparation of official minutes and records of actions of the Council.

Directs and coordinates the arrangements for meetings, administers the Council's budget, prepares contracts and reviews and processes expense accounts submitted by Council members.

Acts as the primary resource person by providing administrative support and technical assistance to the Council in conducting survey and evaluations on the level and quality of the programs for the elderly administered by Commonwealth agencies and makes recommendations to the Council based on these findings.

Coordinates the activities of the five (5) Regional Councils, provides information on the activities of the PCoA and programmatic initiatives of the PDA and obtains their input and feedback on these issues as well as issues and activities that are of a more localized nature.

Coordinates and provides staff support for special events that are promoted by the Council, including but not limited to, the Senior Arts Festival and The Pennsylvania Century Society.

Advises the Council of all RFP and discretionary grants announced by the PSA and assures that Council members are represented on the Review Committees.

Represents the Council on various committees as seemed appropriate and provides support to Council members who serve on Committees.

Participates on behalf of the Council in the public information initiatives of the PDA.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of current social, economic and health issues as they relate to older persons and the elderly.

Knowledge of the provisions and objectives of the Older Americans Act and other applicable human service legislation.

Knowledge of the Aging Network and how it operates.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning and development.

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of other agencies and public, private and constituency groups.

Ability to provide leadership in developing and implementing strategies and work plans.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six years of progressively responsible professional experience in human service programs, including three years in the field of Aging and two years of administrative and/or management experience; and a Bachelor's Degree in social or behavioral sciences. A Master's Degree may be substituted for up to one year of the general experience.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.