This position provides overall program management for Tennessee Families Thrive (TFT) and ensures continuous quality improvement across program operations and service delivery. The Program Manager leads and supports, coordinates and sustains local partnerships, and provides supervision and guidance to Family Coaches and a Child and Family Specialist. Guided by the EPIC Practice Model—Empowerment, Partnership, Integration, and Coaching, the Program Manager reports directly to the SWORPS Field Based Services Director and ensures that coordinated, community-based services are delivered through individualized Family Action Plans that build on each family’s strengths and address their unique needs. The position supports alignment with the Families First Community Grant’s TANF purpose by promoting household stability, increasing economic opportunity, and strengthening family relationships so children can be safely cared for in stable, nurturing environments. The Program Manager works collaboratively with funders, community partners, and internal SWORPS staff to support effective implementation of core program components, maintain contract compliance, and ensure high-quality services that advance family financial stability and economic mobility.

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.

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The Program Manager for Tennessee Families Thrive provides overall leadership, management, and quality assurance for a regional, grant-funded family support initiative administered through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Social Work, Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS). The Program Manager is responsible for ensuring high-quality, evidence-informed, and trauma-responsive services that strengthen children and family well-being. 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

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Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in social work or closely related field or Bachelor’s degree in social work or closely related field with 5 years direct practice experience.
• Must have valid driver’s license, automobile at their disposal, and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage.
• Experience:
  • 3 years of direct practice experience, with 2 years’ experience with program management and supervision
  • Previous experience working with families and youth
  • Clinical skills (license not required)
  • Motivational Interviewing Skills
  • 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 data management and reporting skills

• Demonstrated strong communication skills

• Ability to coach and mentor skilled professionals

• 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

• Experience:

• 5 years of direct practice experience plus 3 years of program management preferred

• Previous experience partnering or working with the Tennessee Department of Human Services and/or the Tennessee Department of Children's Services

• LMSW, LAPSW, LCSW

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: 11
• Anticipated hiring range: $70,000 to $75,000
• 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: https://www.sworps.tennessee.edu/

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The Program Manager responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Manage the work and supervise the work of Family Coaches within the multi county Northeast Region (Washington, Greene, Hamblen, Sullivan, Carter, and Johnson Counties)
• Lead staff hiring, team development, training, and ongoing professional learning opportunities
• Share in program visioning, planning and directing daily operations
• Evaluating program staff performance and addressing complaints/issues and resolving problems
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff in keeping with the program mission and goals
• Support program staff in addressing complex child and family needs using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches
• Verify work prepared by staff for accuracy, completeness and timeliness
• Assist staff with analyzing/resolving issues with participants in their caseload
• Plan and facilitate scheduled staff meetings and staff development sessions
• Provide individual counseling and guidance to staff in meeting their goals
• Prepare performance evaluations and maintain records of employee issues and performance
• Assist in developing, administering, and monitoring program budget and expenditures seeking effective ways to provide services
• Collaborate and coordinate with local and state workforce development systems, adult education and training providers, economic development agencies, employers, family
  • resource centers, domestic violence agencies, childcare providers, housing authorities, and community-based organizations to promote economic stability and mobility across the region
• Resolve program concerns and assure continued referrals
• Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with community partners
• Regularly meet with community-based agencies across the region to educate them about program services, assess alignment, and coordinate referrals and collaborative activities
• Establish Family Advisory Councils
• Maintain positive relationships with TDHS - particularly Economic Mobility professionals - to ensure consistency and cooperation
• Prepare and deliver presentations to the community and at conferences
• Participate in community collaborative efforts and coalitions
• Develop program materials and outreach materials and update regularly to ensure accuracy
• Support evaluation efforts to demonstrate program impact and the effectiveness of ongoing activities
• Assist with budget monitoring and fiscal oversight in collaboration with program leadership
• Ensure accurate documentation, data entry, and compliance with reporting requirements
• Support contract compliance and timely submission of required materials
• Provide quality assurance oversight to ensure all data collection requirements are complete and accurate
• Analyze records and data to monitor goal attainment and program progress
• Coordinate necessary information for reports to funder that captures impacts with families and community agencies
• Monitor referrals and adjust program caseloads of program staff to ensure quality program delivery
• Review program services and outreach services to ensure the highest level of quality and efficiency
• Other duties as assigned