About this role
The University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) will be hiring a County Government Consultant to serve in CTAS’s Upper Cumberland Region. The position of County Government Consultant functions to provide technical and consultative assistance to all county officials (elected and appointed) in their assigned geographic area of the state. This position provides direct customer assistance through field services to counties of the state regarding multifaceted problems in all matters pertaining to county government.
Management may also assign the County Government Consultant to perform special projects and research work. The County Government Consultant often assists other consultants in the execution of projects.
This position must be a generalist yet possess the following skills to use on a daily basis to meet the needs of his/her clientele: Managerial, Analytical, Financial, and Interpersonal.
The County Government Consultant is usually the first person contacted by the county official to discuss a problem and find a solution. The County Government Consultant must be able to analyze the particular problem, recommend a solution, and then assist the county official(s) with the implementation of the solution.
- Direct Technical Assistance to County Officials
The County Government Consultant works directly with all county officials and their employees in county offices and at county-owned facilities, providing technical assistance on a wide range of topics including budgeting and finance, revenue sources, debt, purchasing, auditing, and office-specific county operational issues. This position also prepares and delivers presentations to the county legislative body (CLB), CLB internal committees, highway commissions, and school boards. From time to time the County Government Consultant may be requested to deliver presentations on county government to chambers of commerce, industrial development boards, economic development agencies, and citizen groups.
- Research, Special Projects, and Training
The County Government Consultant undertakes research and other special projects at the request of county officials and their associations (TCSA, COAT, TCCA, TCHOA, TACE and TSA). The Consultant is also involved the County Officials Certificate Training Program (COCTP) and the Certified County Finance Officer (CCFO) program. The Consultant's participation in the COCTP program includes development, preparation and teaching one of the core COCTP classes (e.g., budgeting, internal controls, debt/capital management, auditing, and purchasing). At the CCFO level the Consultant provides technical assistance in course development and review.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
- Experience: Six (6) years of management-related experience with local or state government.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written. This job requires a high level of organizational skills, time management, and the ability to prioritize projects. The willingness to travel statewide with occasional overnight travel. Knowledge of governmental budgeting and understanding of general accounting theory or willingness to acquire the knowledge is necessary. This position requires experience and knowledge in the use of spreadsheets, data analysis and reporting.
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: Master’s degree in accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
Work Location
- Location: Cookeville, TN and surrounding CTAS Upper Cumberland Region Counties (Clay, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, and White). Applicants are not required to reside in Cookeville.
This position must be able to travel and be available to deploy for immediate travel to perform job duties. If a private vehicle is used for business related purposes, automobile liability insurance must be maintained.
The Institute for Public Service (IPS) supports a formal Alternative Work Arrangement program currently in place and more information can be provided if candidate progresses through the recruitment process.
Benefits
- 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 December 9, 2026.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
About The College/Department/Division
The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training, and consulting on a wide variety of services, including government operations, language services, local planning, law enforcement excellence, leadership training, manufacturing excellence, opioid abatement and much more.