Senior Services seeks new leader

As the face of senior services changes with the “baby boomers” advancing in age, Senior Services of Island County is seeking a new executive director.

The former director, Jim Self, recently resigned. Margaret Scehovic, South Whidbey Senior Center’s director, has been named interim executive director while the board launches a search for a new person to take the helm.

“It will be a challenging and an interesting time for the new executive director,” said Scehovic, who served as South Whidbey Senior Center director for six years and activities director before that.

Senior Services is seeking a team player with a breadth of experience in social services management, who is highly skilled in operations and personnel management, and someone who has a passion for improving the lives of seniors in communities within Island County.

The new executive director will work with the board to meet the varied challenges of the unprecedented “senior boom” expected with the coming retirement of baby boomers.

Senior services will shift its focus to being more visible. The shift will be necessary as baby boomers are generally healthier, busier and remain active longer than previous generations.

“They don’t always see themselves as needing us and then they find out what we have to offer,” said Scehovic, who is set to retire at the end of August.

Applications for the position will be accepted until July 15, at which point the selection process will begin.

“By mid-August we should have a sense of who will be the next executive director,” Scehovic said.

Senior Services of Island County is the largest nonprofit agency serving seniors in the county. It offers a variety of programs, including Meals on Wheels, senior nutrition meal sites, medical transportation and volunteer chore, information and assistance to connect clients to specific resources, case management, respite for caregivers, Adult Day Services and many activities at the South Whidbey-Bayview Senior Center.

“We’re spread all over the island,” Scehovic said. “It’s a pretty comprehensive delivery of services in Island County.”

Senior Services, along with a large cadre of volunteers, operates the Community Thrift Store in Freeland. Community Thrift provides recycling and low-cost shopping options, as well as being a funding resource for Senior Services’ programs.

With 300 volunteers and 50 employees, both full and part-time, Senior Services has been a huge asset in its 35 years of existence.

“It’s a big deal,” Scehovic said.

For information on applications for the executive director position, contact Scehovic at 360-678-3373 or 360-321-1600.

Additional details about the job description can be found at www.islandseniorservices.org.

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