Jessica Buhler, a familiar face in State House hallways, left the advocacy group for the elderly last week after five years as the organization’s leader. She was the coalition’s first director, and played an active lobbying role in the debate over long-term care in the governor’s Medicaid reform plan.

Buhler, 30, told Political Scene that she was leaving to “pursue other opportunities.” Last week, she began a contract position with the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation, where she will work in the policy department focusing on foreclosures, according to a Rhode Island Housing spokeswoman.

The Senior Agenda Coalition has posted a large “HIRING IMMEDIATELY” notice in red letters on its Web site. The job pays $45,000 a year, according to the ad.

Maureen Maigret will “see the Senior Agenda’s priority legislation and issues through to the end of the session,” according to Buhler.

Maigret is a former director of the state Department of Elderly Affairs and former deputy speaker of the House. She also served as policy director for former Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty and headed the state’s Long Term Care Coordinating Council for 10 years until December 2006.