Social Work Assistant Jobs in Tennessee
Social Work Assistant jobs in Tennessee concentrate in child welfare, behavioral health, and elder care, with steady demand across state agency offices, community mental health centers, and hospital-affiliated social services departments. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennova Healthcare, and the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. Case management support, crisis intervention assistance, and school-based social services are the most in-demand specialties statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is seeking an Accounting Manager to lead the Accounting Specialist function supporting SWORPS financial and business operations.
Reporting to the Director of Budget, Finance & Operations (BFO), this position provides direct supervision, work direction, training, quality control, workload coordination, and compliance oversight for Accounting Specialists supporting procurement, travel, reimbursements, invoices, purchasing cards, petty cash, gift cards, individual assistance payments, vendor setup, contract-related processes, and other financial activities.
SWORPS manages a complex portfolio of sponsored programs, state-funded projects, service contracts, and internal operations. The Accounting Manager helps ensure financial processes are accurate, timely, consistently documented, compliant with University and sponsor requirements, and supported by strong internal controls.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative and service-oriented manager who can coach staff, manage competing priorities, identify problems, develop practical solutions, and strengthen financial processes across SWORPS.
This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.
The Accounting Manager will:
- Lead and supervise the Accounting Specialist team, including workload coordination, training, coaching, performance feedback, evaluations, schedule management, and daily operational guidance.
- Establish and maintain consistent expectations, procedures, checklists, training materials, and workflows for Accounting Specialist responsibilities.
- Oversee financial processing related to procurement, invoices, vendor setup, purchasing cards, travel, reimbursements, internal transfers, petty cash, gift cards, individual assistance payments, and related transactions.
- Review financial activity for appropriate documentation, approvals, business purpose, account coding, allowability, sponsor requirements, and University compliance.
- Monitor team workload, processing timelines, documentation quality, recurring errors, and compliance concerns and take appropriate corrective or preventive action.
- Provide guidance to Accounting Specialists and SWORPS staff regarding financial processes, documentation requirements, travel, procurement, vendor activity, and related business practices.
- Manage and strengthen internal controls for sensitive financial processes, including petty cash, gift cards, and individual assistance activity.
- Support contract-related and procurement processes, including documentation, vendor coordination, budget review, and other required business-office activities.
- Develop reporting, documentation, training, and process improvements that strengthen accuracy, accountability, audit readiness, and continuity of operations.
- Coordinate with BFO leadership, Research Coordinators, project teams, principal investigators, vendors, the College of Social Work, and central University offices to resolve financial and operational issues.
- Support fiscal year-end activities, audits, sponsor documentation requests, special projects, and other BFO priorities as needed.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
In lieu of a degree an additional four years of combined education, training and /or experience in any combination of the areas below can be accepted.
Experience:
- Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, procurement, business administration, sponsored-program support, or related administrative work.
- Experience processing, reviewing, documenting, or reconciling financial transactions.
- Experience applying policies, procedures, documentation requirements, and deadlines in a business or financial operations environment.
- Experience providing guidance, training, work direction, or process support to staff or colleagues.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of accounting, financial processing, reconciliation, documentation, internal controls, and compliance practices applicable to business operations.
- Knowledge of procurement, vendor setup, invoicing, purchasing cards, travel, reimbursements, petty cash, gift cards, individual assistance, account coding, and related financial processes.
- Skill in supervising, training, coaching, assigning work, monitoring workload, and supporting performance accountability for accounting or administrative staff.
- Skill in communicating financial and procedural information clearly and professionally to staff with varying levels of financial knowledge.
- Skill in organizing work, managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines and following issues through to resolution.
- Ability to work independently, take ownership of problems and processes, analyze issues, identify root causes, develop recommendations, and implement approved solutions.
- Ability to develop and maintain procedures, checklists, training materials, reports, tracking tools, documentation standards, and internal control processes.
- Ability to coordinate with BFO, Accounting Specialists, Research Coordinators, program staff, PIs, project directors, vendors, central offices, and university partners to resolve issues and improve service. Ability to use Microsoft Office, Excel, financial systems, and related business applications.
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
Experience:
- Three or more years of progressively responsible accounting, finance, procurement, sponsored-program support, business operations, or related administrative experience.
- Experience supervising, leading, training, or providing work direction to accounting, financial, or administrative staff.
- Experience working in higher education, research administration, public service, nonprofit, government, or sponsored-program financial operations.
- Experience applying University of Tennessee fiscal policies, procurement practices, travel requirements, HR/timekeeping procedures, DASH, SAP/IRIS, or related university systems.
- Experience developing procedures, training materials, reports, reconciliation tools, workflow improvements, or internal controls.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of higher education, sponsored programs, research administration, public service, nonprofit, or complex grant-funded financial operations.
- Knowledge of University of Tennessee fiscal policies, procurement practices, HR/timekeeping processes, travel requirements, and financial systems.
- Skill in Excel, DASH or other ERP systems, SAP/IRIS or legacy financial systems, reporting tools, workflow tracking, or process documentation.
- Ability to lead process improvement, develop staff training, strengthen internal controls, and create consistent procedures across a distributed team.
Work Location
- Location: This position is based in Knoxville, Tennessee , with onsite responsibilities at the UT Conference Center or other approved University locations.
- Position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement consisting of two days of at home work per week. Hybrid arrangements are subject to University and unit requirements and may be adjusted based on business needs.
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: 09
- Anticipated hiring range: between the midpoint and 75% of the range
Application Instructions
Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting.
Interested individuals should provide the following:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
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/
The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is seeking an Accounting Manager to lead the Accounting Specialist function supporting SWORPS financial and business operations.
Reporting to the Director of Budget, Finance & Operations (BFO), this position provides direct supervision, work direction, training, quality control, workload coordination, and compliance oversight for Accounting Specialists supporting procurement, travel, reimbursements, invoices, purchasing cards, petty cash, gift cards, individual assistance payments, vendor setup, contract-related processes, and other financial activities.
SWORPS manages a complex portfolio of sponsored programs, state-funded projects, service contracts, and internal operations. The Accounting Manager helps ensure financial processes are accurate, timely, consistently documented, compliant with University and sponsor requirements, and supported by strong internal controls.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative and service-oriented manager who can coach staff, manage competing priorities, identify problems, develop practical solutions, and strengthen financial processes across SWORPS.
This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.
The Accounting Manager will:
- Lead and supervise the Accounting Specialist team, including workload coordination, training, coaching, performance feedback, evaluations, schedule management, and daily operational guidance.
- Establish and maintain consistent expectations, procedures, checklists, training materials, and workflows for Accounting Specialist responsibilities.
- Oversee financial processing related to procurement, invoices, vendor setup, purchasing cards, travel, reimbursements, internal transfers, petty cash, gift cards, individual assistance payments, and related transactions.
- Review financial activity for appropriate documentation, approvals, business purpose, account coding, allowability, sponsor requirements, and University compliance.
- Monitor team workload, processing timelines, documentation quality, recurring errors, and compliance concerns and take appropriate corrective or preventive action.
- Provide guidance to Accounting Specialists and SWORPS staff regarding financial processes, documentation requirements, travel, procurement, vendor activity, and related business practices.
- Manage and strengthen internal controls for sensitive financial processes, including petty cash, gift cards, and individual assistance activity.
- Support contract-related and procurement processes, including documentation, vendor coordination, budget review, and other required business-office activities.
- Develop reporting, documentation, training, and process improvements that strengthen accuracy, accountability, audit readiness, and continuity of operations.
- Coordinate with BFO leadership, Research Coordinators, project teams, principal investigators, vendors, the College of Social Work, and central University offices to resolve financial and operational issues.
- Support fiscal year-end activities, audits, sponsor documentation requests, special projects, and other BFO priorities as needed.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
In lieu of a degree an additional four years of combined education, training and /or experience in any combination of the areas below can be accepted.
Experience:
- Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, procurement, business administration, sponsored-program support, or related administrative work.
- Experience processing, reviewing, documenting, or reconciling financial transactions.
- Experience applying policies, procedures, documentation requirements, and deadlines in a business or financial operations environment.
- Experience providing guidance, training, work direction, or process support to staff or colleagues.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of accounting, financial processing, reconciliation, documentation, internal controls, and compliance practices applicable to business operations.
- Knowledge of procurement, vendor setup, invoicing, purchasing cards, travel, reimbursements, petty cash, gift cards, individual assistance, account coding, and related financial processes.
- Skill in supervising, training, coaching, assigning work, monitoring workload, and supporting performance accountability for accounting or administrative staff.
- Skill in communicating financial and procedural information clearly and professionally to staff with varying levels of financial knowledge.
- Skill in organizing work, managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines and following issues through to resolution.
- Ability to work independently, take ownership of problems and processes, analyze issues, identify root causes, develop recommendations, and implement approved solutions.
- Ability to develop and maintain procedures, checklists, training materials, reports, tracking tools, documentation standards, and internal control processes.
- Ability to coordinate with BFO, Accounting Specialists, Research Coordinators, program staff, PIs, project directors, vendors, central offices, and university partners to resolve issues and improve service. Ability to use Microsoft Office, Excel, financial systems, and related business applications.
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
Experience:
- Three or more years of progressively responsible accounting, finance, procurement, sponsored-program support, business operations, or related administrative experience.
- Experience supervising, leading, training, or providing work direction to accounting, financial, or administrative staff.
- Experience working in higher education, research administration, public service, nonprofit, government, or sponsored-program financial operations.
- Experience applying University of Tennessee fiscal policies, procurement practices, travel requirements, HR/timekeeping procedures, DASH, SAP/IRIS, or related university systems.
- Experience developing procedures, training materials, reports, reconciliation tools, workflow improvements, or internal controls.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of higher education, sponsored programs, research administration, public service, nonprofit, or complex grant-funded financial operations.
- Knowledge of University of Tennessee fiscal policies, procurement practices, HR/timekeeping processes, travel requirements, and financial systems.
- Skill in Excel, DASH or other ERP systems, SAP/IRIS or legacy financial systems, reporting tools, workflow tracking, or process documentation.
- Ability to lead process improvement, develop staff training, strengthen internal controls, and create consistent procedures across a distributed team.
Work Location
- Location: This position is based in Knoxville, Tennessee , with onsite responsibilities at the UT Conference Center or other approved University locations.
- Position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement consisting of two days of at home work per week. Hybrid arrangements are subject to University and unit requirements and may be adjusted based on business needs.
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: 09
- Anticipated hiring range: between the midpoint and 75% of the range
Application Instructions
Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting.
Interested individuals should provide the following:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
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/
See All 14 Social Work Assistant Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Social Work Assistant JobsSocial Work Assistant Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Social Work Assistant Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in social work assistant jobs across Tennessee.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in social work or a closely related human services field
- Familiarity with Tennessee Department of Children's Services intake and case documentation procedures
- Experience or coursework in behavioral health, crisis intervention, or family support services
- Proficiency with electronic case management systems such as CONNECTIONS or similar platforms
- Valid Tennessee driver's license and reliable transportation for client home visits
- Strong written communication skills for completing state-required service plans and progress notes
Social Work Assistant Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a social work assistant in Tennessee?
Most Tennessee employers require at least an associate degree in social work, human services, or psychology, with a bachelor's degree preferred for state agency roles. Tennessee does not issue a specific state license for social work assistants, but those working under licensed social workers must follow guidelines set by the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Social Work Certification and Licensure Board. Relevant coursework in child welfare, mental health, or gerontology strengthens applications considerably.
Which companies hire social work assistants in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring social work assistants in Tennessee include University of Tennessee Health Science Center, University of Tennessee, and Amedisys, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. State agencies, community mental health centers, and large health systems across Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville remain the most consistent sources of openings year-round.
Which Tennessee cities have the most social work assistant jobs?
Knoxville, Jackson, and Athens have the most social work assistant openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of its dense concentration of hospital systems, state agency headquarters, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations, while Memphis and Knoxville generate steady demand through regional medical centers and county human services offices that anchor hiring in their surrounding communities.
Are there remote social work assistant jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Social work assistant roles are largely hands-on, requiring in-person client contact, home visits, and on-site documentation. About 89% of social work assistant openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve administrative case coordination or telephone-based intake work rather than direct client services.
How can I get hired as a social work assistant in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services or a community mental health center, both of which regularly hire candidates with a relevant degree and no prior professional experience. Large Tennessee health systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Tennova Healthcare post social services aide and case management assistant roles that are designed for new graduates. Completing a supervised field placement during an associate or bachelor's program, or transitioning from an adjacent role such as direct support professional or residential care aide, provides a strong advantage in the hiring process.
Where can I find and apply to social work assistant jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to social work assistant jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 14 Social Work Assistant Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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