Part-Time Classroom Support Specialist - Early Learning Center - UTK

About the job

The Part-Time Classroom Support Specialist primarily exists to provide care and education support for the ELC's inclusive early childhood program. This position may additionally support various projects around the ELC. This position requires excellent flexibility and reliability. More information about the ELC is available at elc.utk.edu.

Responsibilities

Classroom Support

• Supports classrooms in implementing exemplary early care and education practices on an ongoing basis throughout the school year, particularly in classrooms with increased enrollment of children with disabilities or special needs.

• Implements the daily schedule, works effectively with other teachers and pre-service students in the classroom to ensure welfare, health, and safety of children, assess and provide for children's personal needs, communicates with families on children's routines and progress, gives direction to pre-service students as needed.

Flexible Program Support

• Supports the program where needed most, based on staff absences and

current needs within the program.

• These duties include but are not limited to: cleaning, organizing,

• restocking, implementing daily curriculum by organizing developmentally appropriate activities, and additional classroom assistance duties as requested by program administrators.

• Supports other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED

Experience: At least one year of experience teaching young children in a structured group setting

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Skills in communication, organization and care of the physical learning environment

• Routine care tasks of young children

• Knowledge of early childhood education, guidance techniques with young children

• First Aid/CPR knowledge

• Interpersonal skills, management, and professionalism

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

Education: Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree, CPR/First Aid Certification-Training will be conducted during in-services after hire

Experience: Two or more years of experience working with young children in an early education program

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of and ability to recommend practices in early childhood environments

• Knowledge of appropriate curricula and program plans for child care programs for children

• Strong organizational skills

• Strong communication skills

Work Location

Knoxville, TN; In-Person workplace

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR03

• Anticipated hiring range: $18.00-$20.00

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• 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

ELC is a Center within the Theory and Practice in Teacher Education Department and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As an education department at a land-grant institution, the mission is to benefit local, regional, national, and global communities by preparing teachers, educators, and education researchers, and through community engagement in educational outreach.

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!

Additional Information

• Job Identification: 10700
• Job Category: Teaching & Learning
• Posting Date: 2026-11-10
• Job Schedule: Part time
• Locations: 1206 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US ()