Career Navigator, Family & Consumer Sciences Department: UT Extension

About the job

This position supports programming efforts of the UT Extension Skill Up Tennessee program. The position is expected to develop strong partnerships, provide technical assistance to agents and partners, and collaborate on training for agents, partners, and participants. This position also provides case management services to program participants. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Responsibilities

• Build and expand program activities in assigned counties

• Serve as a contact with Extension specialists, agents, and county-level partners on programmatic efforts.

• Provide technical assistance to agents and partners regarding eligibility, enrollment, curricula, record keeping, and other programmatic components by explaining the details of each of these aspects, answering questions, and planning program implementation efforts.

• Build strong local and/or regional partnerships with Local Workforce Development Area (LWDA) providers, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT), community colleges, American Job Centers, other providers, industry, employers, and county Extension personnel.

• Plan, conduct, implement, and evaluate programming.

• Coordinate and collaborate on program implementation efforts.

• Implement and monitor program activities.

• Document program process and progress.

• Manage records and materials.

• Create and submit reports.

• Seek, document, and share success stories.

• Collaborate on program development efforts, including training and recruitment materials.

• Implement processes and procedures to ensure effective program implementation.

• Provide intensive case management and supportive services for participants.

• Conduct orientation with verified participants.

• Conduct initial assessment and development of individual employment plan.

• Work with participants on setting and working toward goals leading to employment.

• Follow-up with participants on a monthly basis.

• Identify need for participant supports and coordinate disbursement.

• Enter participant data into reporting systems.

• Teach county Extension personnel through training.

• Collaborate on the development of materials and training on program procedures and educational/intervention components.

• Keep current in assigned subject matter area and strive for improvement.

• Assume other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Human Resource Management, Education, Human Sciences, or related field.

• Experience:

• At least one year of experience working with limited resource audiences.

• At least one year work experience with Extension or other community-based programs.

• Experience providing individual case management.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to work in teams and independently

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to manage priorities and multi-task

• Ability to follow supervisory instructions and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner

• Knowledge of adult learning principles

• Skillful in the creation of materials and presentations

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to professionals, the general public, and participants

• Skillful at using Microsoft Office

• Ability to motivate and work with others effectively

• Ability to travel statewide

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:

• Master's degree in Family & Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Human Resources Management, Education, Human Sciences, or related field

• Experience:

• Minimum of three years’ Extension work experience

• Minimum of three years’ work experience in workforce development, economic development, industry credentials, and/or related areas

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of community and cultural factors influencing lifestyle choices

• Skillful in community-based programming

• Knowledge of principles related to family systems

Work Location:

• Location: Central Tennessee
• Work onsite for at least the first 6 months then hybrid (1-2 days remote) if approved.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range:  ****MR07
• Anticipated hiring range:  $47,000 to $53,000
• 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before November 23, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division:

Skill Up Tennessee is a project of the University of Tennessee Extension Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS).  FCS addresses the everyday issues families face and provides help through education. Our top professionals in every county use research-based education to help Tennesseans gain knowledge and develop confidence in making good decisions today and tomorrow.

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: 10718
• Job Category: Social Services
• Posting Date: 2026-11-12
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: 2621 Morgan Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US ()