Career Navigator, Family & Consumer Sciences, UT Extension: UTIA (Knoxville, TN)

The Career Navigator position supports programming efforts of the Skill Up Tennessee Recovery Initiative. This position is expected to develop strong partnerships with Extension agents and partners. This position furthers program objectives by providing technical assistance to agents, providing case management services to participants, and providing general program support. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant. 

 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 in matters of curricula, record keeping, and other programmatic components. 
• Build strong local and/or regional partnerships with substance use recovery providers, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT), community colleges, American Job Centers, other providers, industry, employers, and county Extension personnel.

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 assist with disbursement. 
• Enter participant data into reporting systems. 

Plan, conduct, implement, and evaluate programming: 

• Coordinate and assist with program implementation efforts. 
• Implement and monitor program activities. 
• Document program process and progress. 
• Manage records and materials. 
• Assist with report creation and submission. 
• Seek, document, and share success stories. 
• Assist with program development efforts, including training and recruitment materials. 
• Assist with and apply processes and procedures to ensure effective program implementation. 

Conduct training with county Extension personnel:

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

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Human Resources 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. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:

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

• Experience:

  • Minimum of three years’ Extension work experience preferred.

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

  • Work experience with substance use disorder recovery efforts.

• 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: Knoxville, TN
• Work onsite for at least the first 6 months then hybrid (1-2 days remote) if