SENIOR CITIZEN ADVOCATE 3712
DISTINGUISHING
FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The employee in this class
studies and reviews the educational, health and recreational requests and needs
of the senior citizen population of a municipality. The incumbent participates
as a liaison for a municipality's population of senior citizens, the local
community and municipal agencies.
Responsibility is included for educating the public on the needs of
senior citizens and the availability of resources, training staff, and teaching
senior citizens about their rights and the resources available to them. The nature of the work is such that the
employee is required to exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment
and decision making. The work is
performed under the general supervision of an administrative superior and is
reviewed through conferences or written reports. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK
ACTIVITIES
Designs and implements services
to meet the needs and problems encountered by senior citizens;
Oversees the operation of senior day
care programs which teach basic skills to the frail elderly through a variety
of activities;
Trains office personnel in how best to
meet the needs of the community they serve;
Maintains contact with community
residents to develop relations with those served and to educate all members of
the community concerning the needs of senior citizens and the availability of
resources;
Establishes reciprocal working relationships
with municipal and private agencies and community organizations regarding
projects and programs for senior citizens;
Performs research to find the
resources available to the senior citizen community and to identify what
resources are lacking;
Instructs community groups in the
availability of programs and services;
Attends meetings with representatives
of community organizations to discuss the inherent obstacles encountered in
providing needed services to the senior citizen and establishes plan proposals
to overcome these obstacles;
Develops, plans and coordinates
educational seminars, conferences and events aimed at addressing the needs and
rights of senior citizens;
Prepares a variety of reports and
press releases pertaining to the programs which the incumbent oversees;
Investigates availability of funds
contained in current and proposed State and Federal laws for senior citizens;
Prepares grant applications to meet
specific needs of the senior citizen community.
Thorough knowledge of the social,
economic, physical and psychological problems concerning the senior citizen;
good knowledge of Federal, State and local laws which affect the aged; good knowledge
of fund sources, of public and private agencies, and other resources which are
available to senior citizens; ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships with State and local officials, public and private
agencies; ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of subordinate
personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to
instruct groups and individuals effectively; ability to express oneself clearly
and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to communicate to, relate
with and understand senior citizens; ability to review present senior citizen
programs with regard to future requests and needs; ability to organize facts
into written reports; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the
position.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN COMPETITIVE
Either:
(a) Graduation from a New York State or
Regionally accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in
Gerontology or a related field and two (2) years of experience in public or
business administration which has included working with problems of the aged
and/or developing programs to meet their needs; or,
(b) Graduation from a New York State or
Regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Gerontology or a related field and four (4) years of experience in public or
business administration which has included working with problems of the aged
and/or developing programs to meet their needs; or,
(c) Graduation from high school or
possession of a high school equivalency diploma and eight (8) years of
experience in public or business administration which has included working with
problems of the aged and/or developing programs to meet their needs; or,
(d) An equivalent combination of
education and experience as defined by the limits of (a), (b) and (c).
R05/02/01
SUFFOLK COUNTY
Competitive
RR1/23/03