Applicants are being sought for the Flathead County Agency on Aging director’s position.

The position has been vacant since late February after Flathead County commissioners opted to not renew the contract of former agency Director Jim Atkinson.

In mid-March, commissioners appointed county Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell interim Agency on Aging director. His interim position was to last no more than six months.

Campbell has spent the last several months reviewing the Agency on Aging and evaluating the director’s job description.

In the end, county Administrator Mike Pence said Campbell recommended few changes to the job description and no changes to the agency.

The job description was revised “to review, to clarify and to add pieces,” county Human Resource Officer Tammy Skramovsky said.

Changes were made to the director’s responsibilities related to the department’s budget and employee supervision, she said. Those changes include specifying that the director has knowledge of grant applications, reporting and management; knowledge of government budgeting processes and procedures; knowledge of personnel management; and knowledge of promotions, including marketing, event coordination and effective service delivery.

The director’s salary is pegged at between $45,000 and $50,000 a year. The closing date for applications is Aug. 1.

General requirements for the job include six years of experience in the field of aging or a related social service, significant supervisory experience or course work and training in social services, gerontology or a related field.

The agency encompasses Eagle Transit, Meals on Wheels, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a senior home repair program, companion care, light housekeeping, legal and insurance counseling and a telephone reassurance program.

When his contract wasn’t renewed, Atkinson said it boiled down to a difference in management style between the commissioners and him. Atkinson’s contract had reduced from three years to one year a few years ago and commissioners had outlined a work plan related his job performance.

Atkinson had been the agency director since 1993. His salary in the 2010-11 fiscal year was about $52,000.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.