Senior Center & Community Programs Director - City of Gardendale

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

02/06/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 23

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

The City of Gardendale seeks a qualified Senior Center & Community Programs Director to oversee the administration and operation of the senior center and coordinate community programs and special events for the Center and the City. This role includes planning and evaluating programs and events, managing the senior nutrition program and department budget, supervising staff and volunteers, ensuring regulatory compliance, overseeing facility operations, developing funding through grants and partnerships, and promoting community engagement for older adults and the broader community.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of Gardendale provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is presented below:

$60,964 - $94,577

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Valid Driver’s license.

• Experience serving in a leadership or management role with responsibility for administering senior services, senior community programs, or senior recreation programs.

• Experience planning, coordinating, and evaluating recreational, educational, cultural, or community events.

• Experience managing an operating, grant, or program budget.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by the City of Gardendale. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Certified in CPR and First Aid.

• Food Handlers Permit.

• Experience coordinating overnight or multi-day trips, travel programs, or excursions with responsibility for participant safety and logistics.

• Experience working in a small or mid-size municipal organization with broad operational responsibility.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES

• Serves as department head for the agency by providing leadership, strategic planning, and administrative oversight of senior and community programs in accordance with organizational policies and governing authority requirements to ensure effective and compliant departmental operations.

• Establishes and enforces policies and procedures for the planning, coordination, and execution of senior programs and special events, ensuring safe operations and consistent practices across staff and volunteers.

• Plans, coordinates, and evaluates recreational, educational, cultural, and community programs and special events for older adults and the general public by assessing community interest, collaborating with staff and partners, and following established program guidelines to ensure meaningful participation and service delivery.

• Performs administrative functions by preparing reports, serving on boards and committees, communicating with media representatives, monitoring facility conditions, and applying applicable local, state, and federal guidelines to support compliant and efficient Center operations.

• Prepares, administers, and monitors operating, grant, and program budgets for the senior center and community events, including forecasting expenditures, tracking revenues and grant funds, and recommending budget adjustments as needed to ensure fiscal accountability.

• Oversees contracts and grant-funded agreements supporting senior services, community programs, and city improvement initiatives, including coordination with funding agencies to ensure compliance, reporting, and performance outcomes.

• Plans, schedules, and manages the senior nutrition program by coordinating services, overseeing daily operations, and monitoring facilities and equipment in compliance with program standards and regulations to ensure safe and effective meal service.

• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.

• Plans, coordinates, and travels with senior participants on overnight and multi-day trips by arranging logistics, supervising activities, and following safety procedures to ensure participant safety and successful program experiences.

• Identifies funding opportunities and develops grant proposals by researching funding sources, preparing required documentation, and adhering to grant guidelines to secure and maintain financial support for programs and operations.

• Establishes and maintains partnerships with community organizations, vendors, sponsors, and public agencies by coordinating activities and agreements in accordance with organizational objectives to support and expand programs and events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing. May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in employer-owned facilities such as community civic centers, recreation centers, etc. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc. Some overnight travel to events may be required.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.