The Director of the Division of Field-Based Services is responsible for leading SWORP's efforts to build a high performing Field-Based Services division with regional and statewide programs offering support and technical assistance to professionals in early childhood education, child welfare, relative caregiving, and domestic violence sectors. The Director of Field-based Services will serve a s a member of SWORPS’ senior management team and places a formative role in the agency’s overall work and commitments, which represents grant funding totaling almost $36 million. In addition to developing and leading SWORPS’ field-based programs, this position is also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders within SWORPS, the UTK College of Social Work and the University of Tennessee community, local communities within Tennessee, and funders. The director will serve as a spokesperson for the field-based services conducted by the division, sharing and translating programs to internal and external audiences, the business community, and the legislative community as appropriate. The director will be expected to leverage and maintain partnerships within the community and find ways to break down silos and increase collaboration. The Director of Field-Based Services provides support and supervision for the management team of the division. This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate complex challenges and drive the division toward achieving its mission of improving the lives of individuals and communities through effective service delivery and advocacy.
Strategic Leadership and Management:
Program Development, Implementation & Financial Management:
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships:
Advocacy and Policy Influence:
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Work Location
Compensation and Benefits
Application Instructions
Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting.
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 visa status.
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/
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