2140 FG/SC Program Manager

Job Title: Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program Manager

Job Summary: The Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program Manager is responsible for

oversight of all aspects of AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent and Senior

Companion programs at Tri-Counties Regional Center. This includes recruitment,

orientation, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of all volunteers across

Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. In addition, management of

all fiscal grant expenditures, conformity to AmeriCorps Seniors’ program

guidelines, conformity to program policies and procedures of the federal grants

administered by California Department of Developmental Service’s (CA DDS) and

for the reporting of program activity to CA DDS program staff. Planning, preparing

and presenting training materials for monthly volunteer meetings. Planning and

implementing annual recognition events. Participating in monthly state and federal

meetings. Oversee the inventory, ordering, and organization of office, program, and

uniform supplies. Important factors are initiative; self-motivation; sound

independent judgment and flexibility.

Reports to: Assistant Director of Federal Programs and supervises the FG/SC

Program Assistant.

Primary Functions

(The following does not include all of the duties that may be performed.)

• Manage all planning, evaluation and administration of the federally funded AmeriCorps Seniors Foster
  
  

Grandparent / Senior Companion grant program.

• Manage ongoing administrative operations for the Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion Program,
  
  

including coordination, liaison support, recordkeeping, and compliance with program and fiscal

requirements, including completing monthly payroll of the program participants.

• Perform general volunteer management of Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion Program members
  
  

including recruitment, training, liaison to state, federal, and local agencies to ensure proper benefits for

the Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion volunteers.

• Engage in monthly state program meetings and contribute to statewide collaboration through active
  
  

participation in committees, initiatives, and shared program responsibilities. Attendance at state or

national conferences is required.

• Maintain strict compliance with AmeriCorps Seniors and California Department of Developmental
  
  

Services (CA DDS) National Service Criminal History Check policies and guidelines for all program

staff and volunteers. Includes comprehensive background clearance for the program manager in

fulfillment of Custodian of Records responsibilities as required by the California Department of Justice.

• Lead volunteer recruitment and interviewing processes; design and conduct ongoing training using
  
  

diverse instructional methods and develop and implement orientation programs for new volunteers.

• Provide necessary training and information to all volunteer station staff in the utilization of Foster
  
  

Grandparents/Senior Companions, following all guidelines from AmeriCorps Seniors as criteria for

assessment of volunteers.

• Work with volunteer station staff to ensure proper volunteer/client/students served matches and mediates
  
  

any problems that occur in this area.

• Network with local agencies for purposes of recruitment and visibility of volunteer programs. Whenever
  
  

possible, attend local community organization events and initiatives that support aging, diversity, and the

disabled community.

• Assist volunteers in resolving challenges related to service placements, transportation, and interactions
  
  

with state, federal, and local agencies (including SSA, CalFresh, and HUD housing), as well as other

issues that may arise. Evaluate annual performance of the volunteers in cooperation with volunteer

station staff, and facilitate annual evaluations of the volunteers.

• Follow State mandates regarding abuse reporting and train volunteers annually on these topics.
• Report program expenditures monthly of Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion program to, regional
  
  

center fiscal staff and CA DDS State Director, along with a copy of monthly narrative of program

activities to supervisor

• Maintain data for quarterly and annual reporting to CA DDS for annual program evaluation.
• Constantly monitor activities at program sites through station visits to ensure that volunteer activities are
  
  

appropriate.

• Attend agency leadership and training events. Coordinate and attend training and information sessions
  
  

with agency teams as necessary.

• Supervise and oversee the work of the Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion Program Assistant.
• Is responsible for recruiting and training the Program Assistant.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Either two years of experience in the administration of a Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion program, or in

the administration of a social services program.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, nursing, public or business administration, non-profit
  
  

management or a related field and two years of experience in developmental disabilities or a social

service setting, OR

• A Master’s degree in any of the above fields or certification as a public health nurse.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Methods of planning, evaluating and administering a federally funded grant program, with knowledge of
  
  

AmeriCorps Seniors programming.

• Volunteer management, recruitment and supervision.
• Knowledge and experience with the California Department of Developmental Services and the Regional
  
  

Center system.

• Strong familiarity with community-based resources and service systems serving older adults and
  
  

individuals with disabilities. Understanding of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the

Regional Center system and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act.

• Experience with public relations and addressing issues affecting older adults and individuals with
  
  

disabilities within community settings. Strong cultural competence and the ability to develop and

support programming that is responsive to the needs of diverse cultural populations.

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and reliable, insured vehicle or equivalent means of
  
  

transportation. Able to travel within Ventura, SB and SLO counties on a regular basis; Local and in-state

travel is required.

Physical Requirements

Position requires the ability to work independently. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office

setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer. This is primarily a sedentary office

classification. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, finger dexterity and fine

coordination in preparing statistical reports and data using a computer keyboard and calculator.

Additionally, the position requires near, far, and color vision in reading correspondence, statistical

data, and using the computer. Hearing and speech are required to communicate in person, before

groups and over the telephone.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects necessary to

perform job functions. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. and infrequently

up to 20 lbs. The position requires standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending,

squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. Work is performed in an office

setting with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to

hazardous physical substances. Employees may encounter upset individuals over the phone and/or in

person. Each of these physical tasks is an essential function of the position.