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  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.

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

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

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…