TCSEPP Coordinator (Case Manager): Social Work Research & Public Service - UTK

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville—College of Social Work, through the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS)—is hiring a Coordinator for the Tennessee Child Support Employment & Parenting Program (TCSEPP).

TCSEPP Coordinators are based throughout Tennessee and serve their assigned counties. You’ll cultivate trust and communication between participants and the systems they interact with, and when appropriate support engagement with custodial parents and children.

This is hands-on, relationship-based work. You’ll build trust with participants, coach and encourage them, and help them communicate more effectively with the systems they’re navigating. When it’s appropriate, you may also support healthy communication with children and custodial parents.

Based in BLOUNT COUNTY, TN, you’ll also connect participants to a strong mix of community resources—both formal services and informal supports—and you’ll do outreach and education to help more parents (and community partners) understand and engage with the program.

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

The TCSEPP Coordinator responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:   

 

• Determine participant eligibility and properly assess participants' barriers and make appropriate referrals for identified barriers  

• Develop individual action plans for participants and provide one-on-one case management to participants to assist them with job readiness activities and emotional support and encouragement  
• Maintain accurate records of all participant interactions in appropriate places, i.e. TCSES, Apricot, Excel spreadsheet, etc.  
• Monitor participants’ child support eligibility & payments; program involvement & compliance as well as employment.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local agencies to assist participants with barriers to employment  
• Attend community interagency meetings to learn about and share available resources and information  
• Participate in partner meetings 
• Provide regular updates to Child Support staff and attorneys on participant progress  
• Maintain a court presence to foster a positive relationship with the Child Support legal system and to recruit and/or enroll potential participants  
• Participate in job/resource fairs  

• Fiscal tasks including but not limited to One Card reconciliation and uploading & documenting receipts, monthly gift card reconciliation, and travel reports

Required Qualifications

• Experience: Two years of customer/client (case management) experience. In lieu of a degree candidates with two additional years of experience will be considered.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Must have valid driver’s license, automobile at their disposal, and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Ability to assess participant needs.
  • Ability to develop positive & trusting relationships with participants and offer emotional support.
  • Ability to positively interact with partners including child support, court, attorneys, etc.
  • Ability to promote the program to potential participants, partners, and employers.
  • Ability to advocate for participants; Ability to work independently and within a team setting.
  • Ability to travel to multiple counties to serve participants.
  • Ability to be flexible with respect to changing needs of the project.
  • Excellent oral communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to work independently and in team settings.
  • Experience with data management systems

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

• Experience:   Experience working with non-custodial parents and/or Employment programs; Experience collaborating with community groups and/or social service organizations.

Work Location:

• This position is hybrid and requires travel throughout Blount County, TN (and occasional travel outside this area on a limited basis).  Applicants must live within one hour of Blount County, TN.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 07 - Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Starting salary: $50,000

• UT has a full benefits package including comprehensive heath insurances, strong retirements options including employer matching, generous time off including the week between Christmas and New Years, tuition waivers and hundreds of additional discounts and benefits.  Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division 

 Since 1975, the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) has served as the community outreach arm of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Social Work — partnering with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across Tennessee and beyond. Our mission is to build partnerships that leverage applied research, technology, and human connection to improve lives, guided by a vision of thriving communities with improved outcomes for all.

Now celebrating 50 years of impact, SWORPS continues to be guided by five core values: Innovation, Access, Understanding, Collaboration, and Integrity. Joining SWORPS means becoming part of a mission-driven team that bridges communities and transforms lives — not just through our work with partner agencies, but through hands-on community engagement across the state.

Our team — proudly known as "SWORPees" — is organized into divisions focused on Applied Research & Evaluation, Field-Based Services, and Technology & Development, all supported by a dedicated business office that keeps our operations running smoothly.

Learn more about SWORPS and some of our programs and resources by visiting our webpage: https://www.sworps.tennessee.edu/