TCSEPP Fatherhood Program Coordinator (East TN): Social Work Research & Public Service - UTK

Empower fathers. Coach real growth. Support stronger families.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville—College of Social Work (TCSEPP)—is hiring a Fatherhood Program Coordinator to deliver direct, relationship-based services to fathers in an assigned region. The Fatherhood Coordinator’s core purpose is to engage fathers who may benefit from the program and provide consistent, practical support that strengthens parenting capacity, promotes employment readiness, and encourages healthy relationships. This role includes outreach and recruitment, one-on-one sessions, resource navigation, and partnership development, with the goal of helping participants build stability and follow through on individualized goals. 

The Fatherhood Coordinator is also responsible for maintaining accurate documentation of participant interactions and progress, supporting program learning and improvement through careful tracking and reporting. 

Working under the supervision of the Fatherhood Program Manager, the Fatherhood Coordinator also represents the program in the community by strengthening referral pathways and coordination with child support agencies and other partners. This includes attending community partner meetings and events as needed, staying engaged with local resources and opportunities, and communicating updates on participant progress to leadership. Through a balance of direct service, collaboration, and data integrity, the Fatherhood Coordinator helps ensure fathers receive consistent support while TCSEPP maintains high-quality, responsive services across the region.

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

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

 

• Meet with participants one-on-one to support parenting, job readiness, and healthy relationship goals. 
• Help participants identify barriers, build practical action plans, and stay connected and motivated over time. 
• Provide mentoring, encouragement, and steady follow-up to support progress and participation. 
• Connect participants to community resources and help them navigate services that support stability. 
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with child support agencies and community partners to improve coordination and support. 
• Participate in ongoing training and guidance as part of your professional development. 
• Keep accurate records of participant contacts and services, and support data collection/reporting needs by tracking progress and maintaining data integrity.
• Complete basic fiscal/administrative responsibilities as assigned (e.g., petty cash/procurement card tracking).
• Handle other duties as assigned, including occasional participation in search committees or testing new processes/forms. 

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.
  • Ability to positively interact with partners.
  • 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.
  • Excellent oral communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
  • 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 fathers, non-custodial parents and/or Employment programs; Experience working with community groups and/or social service organizations.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

Knowledge of child support systems and their impact on families. Knowledge of fatherhood programing and evidence-based interventions.

Work Location:

• This position is hybrid and requires travel throughout East Tennessee (and occasional travel outside this area on a limited basis).  Applicants must live within East Tennessee.

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/