Child and Family Specialist: Social Work Research & Public Services - UTK

Child And Family Specialist

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Child and Family Specialist works directly with families to conduct comprehensive assessment of parenting needs and develop strategies to strengthen parenting skills that promote stability, child safety and well-being. Services will be delivered through coordinated case management, individualized coaching and stabilization services (virtual and in-person, including in the family's home), peer support circles, family advisory groups, family events, and connection to community-based partner referrals. This position supports the Families First Community Grant's TANF purpose by helping families achieve stability and strengthen family relationships so children can remain safe at home. The Child and Family Specialist will work alongside a team of Family Coaches to provide services to families in the multi-county Northeast Region (Washington, Greene, Hamblen, Sullivan, Carter, and Johnson Counties). This position will travel throughout the 6 county area in Northeast Tennessee to provide coverage as needed and required. The schedule is flexible to meet staff needs, with an average of 40 hours a week. Candidate must be willing and able to flex schedule as needed.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

This position is anticipated to have a start date of August 1st, 2026.

Responsibilities

The Child and Family Specialist responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct comprehensive, mutual assessment of families' strengths and protective and risk factors
• Build an actionable, goal-driven plan with program participants
• Provide information, intervention, crisis stabilization, advocacy, training, and resource linkage services based on assessment and participant action plans aimed at strengthening families to enhance child and family stability, safety, and well-being
• Coach and mentor families in problem solving, decision making, and action planning designed to address developmental needs of children and, if needed, facilitate access to childcare.
• Facilitate family events and peer support circles, within 6 county coverage area
• Connect children and youth to childcare, learning and out-of-school enrichment activities in their communities
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local agencies to assist participants with barriers to childcare, learning, and enrichment
• Conduct monthly outreach activities within assigned counties to raise awareness of TFT services and to identify, engage, and sustain collaborative partnerships
• Participate in coalitions, community meetings, trainings, job/resource fairs, and collaborative forums—including childcare, family-serving systems, and other relevant community-based activities
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update a comprehensive directory of community-based services that support children and youth across key domains
• Maintain participant confidentiality
• Documentation of participant progress
• Ensure accurate documentation, data entry, and compliance with reporting requirements
• Fiscal tasks including but not limited to One-Card reconciliation and uploading and documenting receipts, monthly gift card reconciliation, and travel reports
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field
• Must have valid driver's license, automobile at their disposal, and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage.
• Experience: Three years of experience in direct service and/or management working with children (birth - twelve), their families or programs that serve them
• Analytical Skills
• Writing Skills
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel skills

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledgeable about adverse childhood experiences and trauma
• Knowledgeable about and skilled in best practice with families
• Demonstrated strong communication skills
• Ability to design and facilitate training/learning activities
• Ability to plan and execute community outreach and awareness activities
• Ability to prioritize tasks, follow through to complete and document work with families in a timely and accurate manner
• Ability to work effectively on multiple tasks and under tight deadlines

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or a related field
• Experience: Two years of experience in direct service and/or management working with children (birth - twelve), their families or programs that serve them

Work Location

This role supports operations across Greene, Hamblen, Sullivan, Johnson, Washington, and Carter Counties and requires frequent local travel. The selected candidate must live within a 35-mile radius of Gray/Jonesborough, TN, or relocate to meet this requirement.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 07
• Anticipated hiring range: $55,000 to $60,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting.

Interested individuals should provide the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is an applied research center of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (CSW). We are a dynamic and close-knit interdisciplinary team of individuals with a shared vision of thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all. We do that by building partnerships that leverage research, technology, and human connection to improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.

Over the past fifty years, SWORPS has worked with local nonprofits such as the United Way of Greater Knoxville, University of Tennessee departments and faculty researchers, state agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Human Services, and federal agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Our annual portfolio consists of 25-40 sponsored projects spanning a wealth of different content areas, but one common thread -each project contributes one more building block for thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all.

Learn more about SWORPS and some of our programs and resources by visiting our webpage:

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine. Apply today