IDD PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3 - 11042026- 82511

State of Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee in Knoxville is seeking an experienced IDD Program Specialist to manage complex program responsibilities, assist providers, monitor standards, and provide staff support in intellectual and developmental disabilities initiatives. The role requires coordinating and advising on program initiatives to ensure regulatory compliance and quality care.

The incumbent will oversee data, budgets, and grant funds, engage stakeholders, and contribute to performance improvements within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in special education, education, rehabilitation or therapeutic health, nursing, sociology, social work, or any behavioral science field and experience equivalent to two years of working with persons with disabilities, aging, and/or mental health work.
• Additional graduate coursework in special education, rehabilitation or therapeutic health, nursing, sociology, social work, or any behavioral science field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Qualifying professional intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, aging, or mental health work may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and experience equivalent to three years of working with persons with disabilities, aging, and/or mental health work.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and completion of an internship with the Department of Disability and Aging.

Responsibilities

• Collects key information through interviews and documentation to assess service needs, develop individualized plans, and provide technical assistance; and engages stakeholders to evaluate potential service changes, ensuring program compliance and quality care for individuals.
• Oversees service compliance, quality standards, policies, and assurance measures. Reviews data, documentation, and service implementation for individuals.
• Evaluates billed services for reimbursement eligibility and monitors grant funds.
• Ensures health and safety by inspecting materials, equipment, and service sites. Evaluates programs and assessments to identify service trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Compiles reports for senior management and audits data for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensures regulatory compliance by verifying incident reports, service documentation, and waiver eligibility.
• Analyzes data to identify systemic trends and recommend improvements for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.
• Engages with stakeholders by facilitating meetings, through collaboration, and ensuring adherence to budget constraints.

Skills

Customer Focus

Action Oriented

Drives Vision and Purpose

Collaborates

Situational Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in special education, education, rehabilitation or therapeutic health, nursing, sociology, social work, or any behavioral science field

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/04/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/04/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 11/29/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $4,098.00 - $5,129.00

Salary (Annually) $49,176.00 - $61,548.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Knoxville, TN

Department Disability and Aging (DDA)

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF DISABILTY AND AGING (DDA), KNOX COUNTY

A Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted prior to employment. Proof of education is required.

This position is designed as Hybrid (In office and Remote).

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in special education, education, rehabilitation or therapeutic health, nursing, sociology, social work, or any behavioral science field and experience equivalent to two years of working with persons with disabilities, aging, and/or mental health work.

Substitution of Education for Experience:

Additional graduate coursework in special education, rehabilitation or therapeutic health, nursing, sociology, social work, or any behavioral science field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Substitution of Experience for Education:

Qualifying professional intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, aging, or mental health work may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

OR

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and experience equivalent to three years of working with persons with disabilities, aging, and/or mental health work.

OR

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and completion of an internship with the Department of Disability and Aging.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Complete a background check in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Some positions may require a valid driver's license.
• A Certified Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC), Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor (CPWIC), or Certified Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP-C) Certification may be required for some positions.

Overview

An incumbent in this role manages complex program responsibilities, aids providers, monitors program standards, provides staff support, and/or may oversee supervisory tasks of moderate difficulty. The position requires expertise in coordinating and advising on program initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations, and carrying out related administrative duties as needed. This role involves professional advisory and coordinative work focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This is the highest-level classification in the IDD Program Specialist sub-series. It differs from an IDD Program Specialist 2 in that the duties it performs are more complex and of a broader scope.

Responsibilities

• Collects key information through interviews and documentation to assess service needs, develop individualized plans, and provide technical assistance; and engages stakeholders to evaluate potential service changes, ensuring program compliance and quality care for individuals.
• Oversees service compliance, quality standards, policies, and assurance measures. Reviews data, documentation, and service implementation for individuals.
• Evaluates billed services for reimbursement eligibility and monitors grant funds.
• Ensures health and safety by inspecting materials, equipment, and service sites. Evaluates programs and assessments to identify service trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Compiles reports for senior management and audits data for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensures regulatory compliance by verifying incident reports, service documentation, and waiver eligibility.
• Analyzes data to identify systemic trends and recommend improvements for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.
• Engages with stakeholders by facilitating meetings, through collaboration, and ensuring adherence to budget constraints.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Customer Focus
• Action Oriented
• Drives Vision and Purpose
• Collaborates
• Situational Adaptability

Tools & Equipment

• Computer/Laptop/Tablet
• Telephone
• Printer
• Automobile