50+Center Director-East Columbia-(Human Services Specialist II)-Community Resources and Services

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington. Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The 50+ Center is a large multipurpose center. The center director performs professional human service work that contributes to the efficient and effective operation of the 50+ Center team and the Office on Aging and Independence. The center director is responsible for its overall operation including program coordination of concurrent activities, facility management, scheduling and rental of the facility, food service management, and broad community outreach. Director serves as primary resource contact for participants, Center Council members and the local community.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$33.61 - $37.87=8
$69,913 - $78,784

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs intermediate professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes administering human service programs or providing specialized health and human services targeted to a special population; assists in formulating policies and developing goals and objectives; and providing a full range of counseling and referral services. Work may also include identifying and investigating complaints of unfair and deceptive practices and violations of local and State laws; and administering criminal justice and alternative sentencing programs.

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for the overall daily operation of a 50+ Center, which will require day/evening work hours, also occasional weekend hours.

• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.

• Accurately learns and performs all essential functions, including the provision of the highest standards of customer service.

• Provides leadership, direction and overall management of programs and service delivery within the Office on Aging and Independence.

• Directly supervises employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, recommending hiring to the appointing authority, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Develops, implements and evaluates comprehensive programming for a diverse older adult population, integrating the work of the Office on Aging and Independence and the Department of Community Resources and Services. This includes research and development of new center events and programs. Provides ongoing, intensive, professional supervision and consultation and direction to team members, contingent staff and volunteers.

• Directs and monitors the performance and accountability of staff.

• Trains staff on established policies and procedures as needed to ensure that a high quality of service is being delivered to older adults and their families.

• Establishes and maintains relationships with other organizations to coordinate effective service delivery to older adults. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver integrated services.

• Ensures adherence to program, department and county policies and procedures.

• Ensures the timely and accurate execution of administrative, clerical and fiscal tasks related to 50+ center operations to include data collection, registration and money handling.

• Interfaces with Facilities in issues relating to the building to include: review of inspection reports for facility maintenance; preparation of work orders for maintenance and monitoring of progress and status.

• Works toward securing the safety and security of participants and staff. This may include documentation of a participant’s ability to independently negotiate a center facility.

• Completes, reviews and submits incident, injury, accident or other related reports to the Division Manager, Office Administrator, Office of Risk Management.

• Oversees the coordination of rentals and building use by individual renters, community and nonprofit organizations, and other external user groups. Schedules space and personnel and ensures fee collection.

• Provide event planning assistance and preparation for all rentals and reservations, and program support for the Department of Community Resources and Services and for any other County sponsored functions held at a Center.

• Provide on-call assistance for evening, weekend, and holiday events, programs and general facility operations.

• Ensures staff compliance with Department and County fiscal policies with PDQ card purchases.

• Coordinates with the OAI Nutrition Manager the food service component of the congregate meal program and ensuring sanitation and safety standards are met.

• Oversees the daily operation of the congregate meal program in the Center.

• Oversees the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs, including the planning of concurrent collaborative programs.

• Coordinates with and schedules programs developed by other OAI and Department staff that are held in a 50+ Center.

• Plans and provides community outreach activities. Refers clients to appropriate services and resources in the community.

• Drafts written marketing materials for events and programs.

• Serves as a member of the Office and Department and participates in staff meetings and trainings.

• Participate in activities related to Emergency Management as requested, including work outside normal business hours.

Bachelor's degree and one (1) year related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university and related experience and/or training working with older adults; or equivalent combination of education and experience in senior center or similar setting.
• COTA Licensure may be required for Social Day Program coordination. Public speaking skills preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse population.
• Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), database management and spreadsheet applications necessary.
• Proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services delivery.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There is the usual noise associated with a busy, active 50+ center.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Class C Maryland Driver's License, or equivalent issued by state of residence.

COTA Licensure may be required for Social Day Program coordination.