July 9, 2013

SENIOR CENTER OPERATOR 1                                                       L0811

Definition:

This is human services work organizing and scheduling activities for senior citizens in a neighborhood senior center.

An employee in this job is responsible in a neighborhood senior center, for scheduling and coordinating activities, such as bingo, card and board games, that seek to enhance the quality of life and social interaction of senior citizens.<b> </b>Work includes coordinating and directing the serving of meals to program consumers and monitoring the quality and quantity of food delivered by subcontractors. Work involves encouraging and directing volunteers from among program consumers to serve meals and prepare and clean center facilities and equipment. Work also involves recording information on standardized forms, such as the names and addresses of consumers, the number of consumers in attendance, the receipt and expenditure of funds and related data.  An employee may assist a higher level senior center manager in the activities of a multi-service senior center.  Supervision is received from an administrative supervisor through conferences, on-site inspections and written reports for adherence to agency policies and procedures and accomplishment of program objectives.

Examples of Work:

Organizes and schedules activities for senior citizens in a neighborhood senior center, such as bingo, card and board games, or assists a higher level senior center manager in the activities of a multi-service senior center.

Responds to questions regarding<b> </b>federal, state and agency regulations and policies to seniors, which govern the delivery of center recreational, nutritional and instructional services, for subordinates, program consumers and the public.

Checks the daily delivery of food to verify that meals are delivered on schedule in the amounts ordered, that special dietary requests are honored and that the quality of the meals is acceptable, by personal observation and discussion with program consumers.

Schedules, in multi-service senior centers, the presentation of instructional, recreational or other programs led by instructors under outside contract or provided by other public agencies, using information obtained from personal observation and discussion with program consumers.

Arranges for and schedules custodial services, such as trash removal, floor cleaning, etc. for the care of a center's physical facilities when required.

Speaks informally with program consumers to encourage them to participate in the center's recreational and instructional activities and to stimulate social interaction.

Collects donations from program consumers and payments for meals, food service and other supplies and other activities when required.

Evaluates the success of center services in accomplishing program goals, through personal observation and comparison with applicable federal, state and agency laws, regulations or policies and informal discussions with program consumers, in order to recommend improvements in the delivery of services.

Asks for assistance from program consumers in preparing center facilities for the serving of meals and cleaning physical facilities and equipment following meals.

Resolves complaints, interpersonal conflicts and personal problems of program consumers.

Records information such as the names and addresses of consumers, the number of consumers in attendance, the receipt and expenditures of funds and related data using standard forms.

Orders and/or purchases food service and other supplies and arranges for transportation services when required.

Refers program consumers to appropriate federal,

state, local or private human service agencies to obtain benefits and services which they are eligible to receive.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to perform basic arithmetical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).

Ability to organize and lead the activities of people, individually and in groups.

Ability to record information on standardized forms, such as the names and addresses of consumers, the number of consumers in attendance, the receipt and expenditures of funds and related data, either manually or through the use of  computer software programs.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers and personnel from various public and private agencies.

Minimum Experience and Training:

Three months of experience in providing direct services in a human services, education or a community based setting to the aging population or to individuals from various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds or to individuals who have physical, intellectual or emotional disabilities;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training. 

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST03