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Extension Specialist, Project Manager - Family & Consumer Sciences, UT Extension: UTIA

University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 6/27/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/26/2026

The Extension Specialist for CDC High Obesity Program is responsible to the Assistant Dean for the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) and Program Faculty Lead. This specialist provides leadership as project manager for planning, implementing, and evaluating the CDC High Obesity Program grant. This position works as a team member in coordination of program activities. This is a grant-funded, nontenure accruing position. Continuation of this grant-funded appointment is contingent upon continued funding through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


  • Provide leadership for a program of activities which meets the needs of all eligible clientele regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, religion, or veteran status.
  • Provide project management for the High Obesity Program (HOP). The HOP will be implemented in several counties using community-based processes (assess, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate public health approaches) to enhance the ability of communities to:
    • Improve access to healthy foods
    • Improve community support and opportunities for physical activity.
  • Provide leadership for coordination with local and state Extension staff, and faculty from University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) to meet the goals of the grant workplan.
  • Assist with logistical and administrative functions of the grant (such as monthly reports to CDC, organizing regular training for Extension agents, tracking the implementation of the grant activities in the counties, budget management and purchases for the grant).
  • Participate in evaluation and reporting requirements of the grant program.
  • Participate in formative, process, outcome and/or impact evaluation and reporting for the grant.
  • Teach in-service training for agents and multi-county programs and coordinate CDC technical assistance to support the High Obesity Program objectives.
  • Foster public relations such as publications, websites, videos, Facebook pages, and other ways of contacting the public with High Obesity Program. Must provide a professional image of Extension.
  • Foster and maintain partnerships with program stakeholders.
  • Assume other duties as necessary or as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • Education:
    • Earned Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Social Marketing, Public Health, Health Education, Health Communications, Nutrition, or closely related area or the experience called out below.
  • Experience:
    • Substantial work experience which demonstrates promise in teaching, Extension and/or service in alignment with the appointment.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct and evaluate efforts in a community setting with a focus on nutrition and behavior change to provide environmental support for direct education components of a program.
    • Demonstrated project management skills and ability.
    • Ability to organize, apply sound judgment, and complete assignments in a timely manner both independently and as part of a team.
    • Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with both intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary teams.
    • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals, including under-represented population.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Strong computer literacy skills, especially with Microsoft Office applications
    • Ability to travel within and outside the state.

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:
    • PhD in appropriate discipline
  • Experience:

    • 1-3 years of experience

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

  • Work experience in an area of public health, health communications, or community education
  • Experience with community public health approaches
  • Experience with development of public education and media outreach materials
  • Experience with development of scholarly publications and presentations
  • Knowledge of community-based approaches to improve nutrition and physical activity

  • Evidence of networking skills and team building

Work Location:
  • Location: Knoxville, TN

  • This position has the ability to work remotely up to two days per week after the successful candidate proves their work ethic and productivity after a specified amount of time.

Compensation and Benefits:

  • 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 5/8/2026.
  • Resume

  • Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division:

The University of Tennessee Extension is the outreach arm of the university. Family & Consumer Sciences ( https://fcs.tennessee.edu/ ) 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.


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!

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