Program Director

Program Director

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Agency Overview

Founded in 1889, the Felton Institute has over 135 years of history of innovation in services for vulnerable children, families, and adults. Rooted in equity, Felton Institute transforms quality of life and promotes social justice to accelerate community led change. Our vision is to drive positive and sustainable community led change where all have equitable access to innovative, high-quality, evidence-informed services.

Senior Division Overview

Felton’s Senior Division supports older adults and adults with disabilities to flourish in their communities with dignity, security, and a high quality of life. The Division specializes in mental health, workforce development, case management, and other aging services.

Program Description

Created in 1965, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the nation's oldest program that helps low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55 find work. SCSEP matches eligible older adults with part-time, community service training assignments at local non-profit organizations and government agencies. Trainees build skills and self-confidence, while earning a modest stipend. For many of the program participants, their SCSEP experience leads to permanent employment. SCSEP is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Felton is a sub-grantee of the SCSEP program under the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

Job Description

This individual will provide overall management and direction to the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, as a sub-grantee of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Maintain thorough knowledge of all relevant information impacting Workforce Development. Manage staff and program trainees, developing/controlling the budget, developing and implementing policies and procedures, process improvements, participating in obtaining funds and grants, coordinating and integrating programs with others within the organization. The Program Director (PD) acts as SCSEP Agency representative to the community while creating and maintaining working relationships with local Workforce Investment Board and the Comprehensive and Neighborhood Access Points (formally One Stop Career Centers). PD reports to the Director of Workforce, with oversight from the Senior Division Director. Receives additional supervision from the NCOA Director of Programs. Works with HR Director, Fiscal Team and other administrative members, as needed. Acts as the liaison with NCOA for all duties related to SCSEP, as well as other NCOA programs. Performs additional duties as needed.

Program Specific Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz County SCSEP sub-grantee
• Work on targeted initiatives designed to meet NCOA and DOL performance
• Develop and implement service delivery designed to transition enrollees into unsubsidized
• Develop and monitor annual program objectives and budgets to ensure
• Plan/execute coordination strategies to promote program goals and
• Recruit andtrain enrollees as Participant Assistants to administer program
• Develop and implement training and technical assistance activities designed to promote continuous learning and trainee skills
• Supervise, track, and evaluate activities/work products of staff/trainees; Meet and prepare reports on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual
• Oversee, manage and monitor data collection activities Conduct weekly follow-up in NCOA and DOL databases, print reports to track progress, approve data validation activities in the NCOA database and DOL
• Promote expansion of mature work services by recruiting partners to act as Host Training Sites and employers interested in hiring mature workers; Ensure that Host Training Agencies are informed and engaged as
• Recruit and maintain relationships with external and internal
• Evaluate/recommend trainees for placement; Conduct activities to ensure a smooth transition from enrollment through reentry into the job market.
• Develop/maintain linkages with all known contracted work sites addressing the human service and employment needs of mature
• Work collaboratively with Felton and NCOA
• Participate in staff meetings, community convening, and external work-related
• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in a human service agency, a workforce development agency and/or a training facility preferred;
• Direct contact with mature persons, mature workers, minorities and low-income individuals is also
• A minimum of 5 years of administrative and program management experience
• Bachelors degree (preferred) in one of the Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration, Human Resources or a related field; Law degree 
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and train professional, paraprofessional staff and
• Working knowledge of human services network and the principles of managing older
• High degree of motivation and creativity; self-starter, entrepreneurship, and ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrated ability to network with public agencies and private non-profits at the local level, preference given to familiarity with the human services network in San
• Ability to interpret, understand and implement federal regulations, rules, policies and
• Knowledge of prohibited discriminatory practices and grievance
• Commitment to cultural competency, inclusiveness and
• Willing to travel extensively in San Francisco, and periodically to Washington DC and other conference
• Excellent program management skills and knowledge of the principles of
• Possess excellent administrative and organizational skills with attention to
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team with minimal
• Ability to be a team player with a welcoming

Additional Information:

Division: Senior Division

Position: Full Time (FTE)

Reports to: Director of Workforce

SEND RESUMES TO: "jobs@felton.org"