The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Specialist provides training, technical assistance and support to child care programs and families to improve the quality of child care in an 13 county upper East Tennessee region. The specialist also works in collaboration with partner agencies that interface with child care programs as well as community agencies involved with families.

Provide technical assistance through coaching, consultation, and professional development to child care agencies utilizing a variety of delivery services including on site visits, phone consultation, and email.

Provide targeted technical assistance to child care program educators to determine needs, develop objectives, provide resources, implement strategies, and monitor progress toward meeting the highest quality standards. Multiple areas of focus include curriculum and assessment, rating assistance, observational tools, health and safety, and program administration and management.

Attend Train-the-Trainer Institutes required to provide training and technical assistance. to child care programs and families.

Prepare, design and implement a training plan for delivery of research-driven professional development for child care educators and families.

Work corroboratively with other individuals and community agencies providing technical assistance and training to child care educators, families and consumers.

Participate in local, state and agency sponsored events or meetings

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a related field
• Experience: Three years of experience in direct service and management working with children (birth - twelve), their families or programs that serve them (one year of service can be substituted if candidate has Masters Degree)
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to independently manage a large case load of technical assistance and trainings throughout upper East TN region; Ability to prioritize work and travel schedules to balance duties including technical assistance and trainings to clients – both families and childcare agencies; Ability to work well with a diverse client population; Effective oral and written communication skills; Knowledge of best practice in child care quality, early childhood education and child development

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a related field
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Public speaking skills, ability to coach and mentor adult learners, time management skills, and ability to use a variety of social media

Work Location

• The position is remote but requires a flexible schedule to accommodate travel and appearances in various counties in upper East Tennessee region. Position requires candidate have an automobile at his/her disposal, a valid driver’s license and current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 09
• Anticipated hiring range: 55,000-60,000
• 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 (1) a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to each required and preferred qualification, (2) a resume, and (3) complete contact information for 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/