TCSEPP Manager: Social Work Research & Public Service - UTK

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Johnson City (TN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Retirement options

Generous time off

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville—College of Social Work, through SWORPS, seeks a TCSEPP Manager to lead implementation of the Tennessee Child Support Employment and Parenting Program across an assigned region. You will supervise TCSEPP Coordinators, ensure quality services, and partner with child support offices and courts to improve outcomes.

You will also monitor data, coordinate with evaluators, and report to funders while driving program growth and impact in East, Middle, or West

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; three additional years of experience can substitute.
• Three years of direct service/case management and two years in program planning, coordination, and supervision; one year of employee management or coaching.
• Strong written and oral communication, presentation skills, analytical ability, time management, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and data systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of TCSEPP Coordinators across multiple counties, ensuring strong, consistent work.
• Interview, hire, onboard, and train Coordinators; provide day-to-day guidance and problem-solving support.
• Set clear expectations; review work for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness; address performance issues.
• Plan and run regular staff meetings and development sessions to keep the team aligned and growing.
• Build relationships with child support offices, attorneys, court staff, and community partners to support referrals.
• Represent TCSEPP in the community through coalitions and presentations locally and at conferences.
• Maintain program/outreach materials and assess outreach effectiveness.
• Oversee data collection and quality assurance; ensure tracking is complete and accurate.
• Conduct routine case reviews and share results with the Regional Director.
• Monitor progress toward goals using program data and adjust as needed.
• Coordinate with evaluator to provide information for funder reports and capture impact.
• Monitor referrals and balance coordinator caseloads to maintain service quality.
• Review program and outreach services for quality and efficiency; oversee documentation.
• Handle other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Analytical skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management systems

Job description

Job Description

Lead the work. Serve with purpose. Strengthen family outcomes. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville—College of Social Work, through the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS)—is hiring a TCSEPP Manager to lead implementation of the Tennessee Child Support Employment and Parenting Program (TCSEPP) across an assigned region (East, Middle, or West Tennessee). In this role, you’ll build and sustain an evidence-informed and trauma-informed practice that assists, supports, and advocates for non-custodial parents involved with the child support system, helping the program deliver consistent, high-quality services across multiple judicial districts. Reporting to the Regional Director, the Manager works with a high degree of independence while staying closely aligned with TCSEPP standards and expectations. A major focus of the position is supervising and coaching TCSEPP Coordinators—supporting hiring and training, setting clear expectations for accurate and timely work, and helping staff navigate complex participant situations. The Manager also serves as a key connector across systems, building strong working relationships with child support offices, court partners, and community agencies to support referrals and effective collaboration. In addition to leadership and outreach, the TCSEPP Manager is responsible for program monitoring, quality assurance, and reporting. This includes overseeing data collection requirements, conducting regular case reviews to ensure services align with the TCSEPP Practice Model and Practice Guide, analyzing program data to track progress, and coordinating with an evaluator to support reporting to funders. The Manager also helps balance coordinator caseloads and reviews program services and documentation processes to strengthen quality and efficiency across the region. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of TCSEPP Coordinators across multiple counties/judicial districts, making sure they have what they need to do strong, consistent work.
• Help interview, hire, onboard, and train Coordinators; provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and problem-solving support.
• Set clear expectations and follow through—review work for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness; address performance issues; and complete performance evaluations and documentation.
• Plan and run regular staff meetings and development sessions to keep the team aligned and growing.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with child support offices, attorneys, court staff, and community partners to support referrals, resolve concerns, and strengthen collaboration.
• Represent TCSEPP in the community by attending/participating in coalitions and collaborative efforts and giving presentations locally and at conferences when needed.
• Help create and keep program/outreach materials up to date and regularly check whether outreach and program activities are working.
• Oversee quality assurance and required data collection—make sure tracking is complete and accurate.
• Conduct routine case reviews to ensure services match the TCSEPP Practice Model/Guide and share results with the Regional Director.
• Use program data to monitor progress toward goals, identify issues early, and adjust as needed.
• Coordinate with the evaluator to provide information for reports to funders and to capture the program’s impact.
• Monitor referrals and help balance Coordinator caseloads to maintain service quality across districts.
• Review program and outreach services for quality and efficiency and oversee program and fiscal documentation processes.
• Handle other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, three additional years of experience in any of these areas can be substituted.
• Experience: Three years of experience with direct service/case management and 2 years’ experience with program planning, coordination, and supervision.One year employee management and/or coaching experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Strong written and oral communication skills, presentation skills; analytical and evaluative skill; effective time management; strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, data management, and email/Internet systems. Leadership skills including ability to motivate others, strong interpersonal skills, excellent problem identification and resolution skills, and conflict management skills.

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: Five years of experience with direct service program planning, coordination, and supervision. Three years of employee management and/or coaching experience. Experience with child support systems and programs.
• Education: Master’s degree preferred
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of the TN Child Support program; Knowledge of the TCSEPPS Practice Model and Practice Guide; Skill with Tennessee child support system software; Knowledge of Tennessee judicial districts and court systems; Ability to work with participants in a field work setting

Work Location

• This position is hybrid and requires travel throughout Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties, TN (and occasional travel outside this area on a limited basis). Applicants must live within two hours of the assigned counties.

Compensation And Benefits

• UT market range: MR11 - Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Starting salary: $61,000
• 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

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/

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work‑life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top‑tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!