Lead Activity Supervisor

Senior Activity Supervisor

Role overview: A Senior Activity Supervisor plans, oversees, and evaluates activity programs in settings like senior centers, assisted living facilities, community centers, or recreational departments. They ensure activities meet participants’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs while supervising staff and volunteers.

Key responsibilities

• Program design: Create diverse weekly/monthly activity schedules (social, cognitive, physical, creative).
• Staff supervision: Lead, train, and schedule activity coordinators and volunteers; conduct performance reviews.
• Participant assessment: Assess interests, abilities, and care plans; adapt activities for varying mobility or cognitive levels.
• Compliance & safety: Ensure programs meet regulatory standards, maintain safety protocols, and document incidents.
• Resource management: Manage budgets, order supplies, and track attendance and outcomes.
• Family & community engagement: Communicate with families, coordinate special events, and build community partnerships.
• Reporting & evaluation: Collect feedback, track metrics (participation, satisfaction), and produce program reports.

Required skills & qualities

• Leadership: Supervisory and team-building skills.
• Communication: Clear verbal/written communication with participants, families, and staff.
• Creativity: Ability to design engaging, varied activities.
• Empathy & patience: Comfortable working with older adults or individuals with special needs.
• Organization: Strong planning, scheduling, and record-keeping.
• Problem-solving: Adapt activities for changing needs or behaviors.

Typical qualifications

• Education: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy, social work, gerontology, occupational therapy, or related field (often preferred).
• Experience: 3–5+ years in activity programming, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory role.
• Certifications: CPR/First Aid required; Activity Director or Therapeutic Recreation certification (e.g., CTRS) may be preferred or required depending on setting.

Work environment & schedule

• Settings: Nursing homes, assisted living, adult day programs, community centers.
• Schedule: Often daytime hours; may include evenings/weekends for special events. Some roles are full-time with on-call duties.

Career progression

• Move up to Director of Recreation/Activities, Program Manager, or into broader operations/administration roles within senior services or community programming.

Success metrics

• Increased participation rates, positive participant/family feedback, program retention, measurable improvements in participant well-being or engagement.

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