Members of Dartmouth’s senior center community who are concerned over the departure of Director Debra Raymond can rest assured that her position will be filled by someone with experience.

On July 28, four of the 16 job applicants were interviewed by two board members of the Council on Aging, Select Board member Stanley Mickelson and Town Administrator David Cressman.

The Council on Aging met with the Select Board Monday night for a joint session to interview the top two candidates, Paula Rossi-Clapp and Heather Sylvia. Both the Select Board and the Council on Aging unanimously voted for Sylvia.

During her interview, Rossi-Clapp said she has a background in business and working with the elderly but has limited experience writing grants. Sylvia has worked as a director of two Council on Aging facilities — in New Bedford for two years and in Acushnet for the past six years.

“I’ve been very successful, and I’ve been happy there. Acushnet is a small town, smaller than Dartmouth. There are only 10,000, so I saw this as an opportunity to spread my wings,” said Sylvia.

Council on Aging Chair Susan Thompson asked Sylvia how her previous work experience would inform her new role in Dartmouth.

“I’d like to get out into the homes more. You have a wonderful outreach staff, but it seems like a lot of seniors have to come to the Senior Center to get services. I’d like to expand that a little bit,” said Sylvia.

She said she was able to do more community outreach during her time at Acushnet because she worked alongside a family resource officer at the town’s police department.

“In Dartmouth, you have a lot more staff,” she said, adding that many of the operations that happen at the Council on Aging are group efforts and she intends to take part in outreach. In addition to reaching out, she also wants to draw more people to the center, whether that’s the elderly or more volunteers.

“Unfortunately, there’s a misconception. Some seniors see the senior center as a step before the nursing home. We need to break that misconception. It’s a happening place,” she said.

Thompson said that she was happy with both candidates, but the nomination went to Sylvia because of her previous experience as a director and writing grants.

“She’s in that role right now, although she’ll have to adapt to a larger participation. She can just jump right in,” said Thompson. “This is a win-win. It’s a growth opportunity for her, and we have somebody who’s doing the job already.”

Sylvia, a graduate from Bishop Stang High School, currently lives in New Bedford with her three children. Director Debra Raymond steps down from the position on Aug. 31.