HomeMy WebLinkAboutProgram Specialist - Senior CenterUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Program Specialist – Senior Center
Department: Senior Center
Division: Senior Center
Supervisor: Senior Center Coordinator
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 14
Job Number: 1401
Job Summary
Under minimal direction, creates, develops, promotes and evaluates the Senior Center’s
programs, activities and special events typically developed for community members 50+ years
of age. Secures funding to support programming.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Recruits, orients, supports and evaluates volunteers and independent contractors who
teach classes and workshops; participates in program planning and development and
assists with special events and activities.
• Plans and develops programs and special events by utilizing community and University
resources and through consortiums with nonprofit, community, human service,
educational and business groups; develops and nurtures corporate sponsorships.
• Maintains records for all programming within area of responsibility.
• Conducts intermittent outcome-based evaluations to measure impact of class or Senior
Center participation.
• Writes marketing materials and promotes programming using all print, digital, and
broadcast media formats, and gives presentations at various community functions.
• Represents the Senior Center on community-wide committees, subcommittees and
partnerships.
• Responds to questions and suggestions from the public and City employees regarding
the Senior Center ’s programs.
• Develops, submits and administers grant proposals for programs and special projects;
identifies and secures corporate sponsorships; participates in the planning,
implementation, and evaluation of fundraising activities.
• Assists with budget preparation and provides oversight in area of responsibility.
• Helps plan and carryout emergency procedures.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related
experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
• Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and three to five years of
related experience; or seven years of related experience and/or equivalent combination
of education and experience. Experience in program development.
• Certification in CPR and external automated defibrillators.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in
written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, and percentages.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
situations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships between department staff, the public
and Senior Center participants and volunteers.
• Ability to identify and secure new sources of funding to support programs and services.
• Ability to organize and coordinate various projects and programs simultaneously.
• Ability to prepare written materials including news releases, records, reports and grants.
• Ability to read and interpret reports and journals.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Knowledge of and ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative evaluations of programs
and services that include outcome measures.
• Knowledge of community and university resources.
• Knowledge of current trends in aging, aging services and the principles and practices of
program development and implementation for people 50 years of age and older.
• Skill in marketing, public relations, and oral and written communications.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to
temporary/hourly, seasonal, or work-study staff in completing basic, entry-level daily tasks and
assignments. Does not carry out disciplinary action, does not hire or fire, is not responsible for
writing or delivering performance review.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 25 pounds, and will
occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, and traffic hazards. The employee is occasionally
exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings,
and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves some exposure to
stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Geoff Fruin, City Manager (4/2024)
of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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