New Director Hired for Pennington Life Center

New Director Hired for Pennington Life Center

By Rachel Dahl

During their December 2 meeting, Churchill County Commissioners voted to approve the reclassification of the Senior Center Manager to Senior and Disabled Services Manager, raising the salary by $13,600. (See story from December 3, in The Fallon Post, titled “Rafter 3C Arena Looking Sharp.”

At the time there was no mention of the fact that Senior Center Manager, Jamie Lee had resigned, “around Thanksgiving,” according to County Manager Jim Barbee this morning.

“The position was reclassified at the first meeting in December and opened the same day, interviews were done, and the new person starts the 3^rd of January,” he said.

The name of the new Manager will be released at that time.

During the commission meeting on December 2, Geof Stark, Human Resources Director, and Shannon Ernst, Social Services Director asked commissioners to reclassify the Senior Center Manager position to Senior and Disabled Services Manager and upgrade from Grade 60 making $62,088 per year to a Grade 68, at $75,691 each year. Commissioners approved the request which Stark explained would begin with the next pay period effective Dec. 13.

During their presentation language from the agenda package was explained, saying, “An ongoing evaluation of services provided at Social Services and the Life Center leads staff to pursue the inclusion of more diverse duties into the class specification for the Senior Center Manager. Staff would like to see the class specification address duties that encompass the provision of services to disabled individuals within the community. To that end, some alterations have been made to the class specification, including the change of the position title to Senior and Disabled Services Manager. This position will essentially oversee a ‘Division’ (or sub-department) within Social Services. As this position assumes a greater span of control, staff recommends a change in the Pay Grade to Pay Grade 68. The position would continue to be an at-will position, serving at the pleasure of the Social Services Director.”

Commissioner Chairman Pete Olsen said, “We are looking hard to find a director that will be a perfect fit for our senior community.”

Jamie Lee declined to comment for this story. We will provide and update when the new Manager is announced.

Editor’s note: In the December 3^rd article we made assumptions that Commissioners were talking specifically about Jamie Lee in the position of Manager. There was no mention at the time of her departure. We regret, and apologize, for taking the actions by Commissioners during their meeting at face value and learned a valuable lesson. Going forward we will be more diligent in pursuing accurate information and background details as we continue covering our local governments.