The Director for the Foster Grandparent & Senior Companion Programs manages the mission, strategy, budgeting, and allocation of resources for this community-based program. This position performs work of great complexity under general direction from the Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. The Program Director develops goals, objectives, and deliverables in accordance with the program's mission. To ensure effectiveness, the Program Director manages assigned staff and allocates necessary resources. The Program Director must have demonstrated skill in strategic planning, responsible budgeting, and project evaluation, as well as possess written and oral communication skills necessary to develop funding proposals, lead personnel, and guide program content.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree
- Experience with program and/or project coordination and management
- Proven ability to track, monitor, manage and report outcomes
- Excellent communication skills; written, as shown in application materials
- Analytical and organizational skills
- Proficient in the use of all Microsoft Office programs
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with federal agency programs
- Experience in grant-supported program management
- Experience working with older adults in a professional environment
Appointment Date:
January 4, 2024 (negotiable)
Application Deadline:
October 7, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Responsibilities:
- Fulfill all responsibilities associated with AmeriCorps Seniors grant submission, management, and reporting as required.
- Plan and implement program goals in order to fulfill the program's mission.
- Recruit, hire, train, and manage qualified program staff.
- Develop policies and procedures to align with agency requirements and best ensure program success; communicate those policies clearly and consistently.
- Coordinate and collaborate with community agencies, organizations, and volunteer stations for financial support, in-kind resources, and other program support.
- Develop and administer program budget; keep appropriate fiscal and programmatic records, generate required reports, and allocate resources effectively.
- Provide guidance, interpret policy, and demonstrate appropriate procedures for students, faculty, administration, and community agencies.
- Oversee the recruitment, placement, and supervision of volunteers.
- Represent the program at community functions and student events. Enhance public awareness of the program, aligned funding needs, volunteer opportunities, and potential community impact.
- Facilitate the development of workshops, seminars, and orientation programs for volunteers and other support personnel.
- Oversee the development of informational materials in order to facilitate the effective delivery of programs and services, including flyers, web sites, newsletters, press releases, reports, and memos.
Required Application Documents: Cover letter addressing applicant’s alignment of professional experiences with the qualifications in this advertisement, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references.
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Name: Jeff Briggs, Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Phone: 785-628-4200
About the Program:
The Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Programs are part of Senior Corps. Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering.
The Senior Companion Program, established in 1974, connects volunteers age 55 and over with adults needing support to remain independent. Both Senior Companions and those served receive significant, long-term health benefits from their participation, including reduced rates of depression, increased social ties and perceived social support. Families are strengthened through respite services provided to family caregivers. Senior Companion services are provided at no cost to the recipient.
The Foster Grandparent Program is an intergenerational program first established in 1965. It connects volunteers aged 55 and over with opportunities to provide one-on-one mentoring, nurturing, and support to children with special or exceptional needs and who are at an academic, social, or financial disadvantage. Children and youth served by the Program often do not have a caring and consistent adult presence in their lives; this void is filled by a Foster Grandparent. In turn, Foster Grandparents derive significant social, emotional, and health benefits from their service. The Program gives them a strong sense of purpose by giving back to the community and shaping the young leaders of the future.
About the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences:
The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is home to many challenging and exciting degree programs in the fields of allied health, communication sciences and disorders, health and human performance, nursing, psychology, and social work. With 80 full-time faculty serving nearly 2800 undergraduate and graduate students, the departments offer programs that prepare students for careers in some of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Outstanding facilities, comprehensive and demanding curricula, and a reputation for innovation and excellence in teaching provide a framework for graduates to excel in their chosen fields. In addition, to discipline-specific coursework, students have numerous opportunities to gain experience and knowledge through research projects, field trips, service-learning activities, teaching apprenticeships, internships, and student exchange. Students develop skills and competencies that prepare them to be practitioners, scientists, health care providers, educators, managers, and policymakers destined for key roles in the health and behavioral sciences.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
