Criminal Justice Consultant - IPS

The University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) is seeking a Criminal Justice Consultant to serve West Tennessee counties. The consultant will provide direct technical assistance and consultation to county sheriff’s offices on law enforcement operations and jail management. Management may also assign special projects and research responsibilities, and the consultant will collaborate with other CTAS consultants as needed to support project delivery.

Success in this role requires strong managerial, analytical, and interpersonal skills. As a primary point of contact for county officials seeking assistance, the Criminal Justice Consultant must be able to assess complex issues, develop practical recommendations, and guide county officials through implementation of effective solutions.

Direct Technical Assistance
The Criminal Justice Consultant serves as a primary representative of IPS/CTAS and the University of Tennessee in the areas of law enforcement and jail management. The consultant provides direct assistance to county sheriffs and their staff through on-site visits to sheriff’s offices, jails, workhouses, and, when requested, county courthouses.

The consultant addresses a broad range of law enforcement and jail management issues, including:

• Operational, personnel, and records management
• Evidence and property room management
• Budgeting, internal controls, and drug fund administration
• Court security and staffing analysis
• Jail operations and prisoner accounting systems
• Inmate medical and dental programs
• Inmate care, custody, and control
• Planning and review of jail or workhouse construction and expansion projects

The consultant also delivers presentations and training to law enforcement and jail management personnel, county officials, the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, and other state agencies and organizations. In addition to serving Tennessee counties, the consultant works collaboratively with county associations and criminal justice partners, including the Tennessee County Services Association, Association of County Mayors, Tennessee County Commissioners Association, Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, Tennessee Corrections Institute, Tennessee Departments of Correction and Safety, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Administrative Office of the Courts, Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, Tennessee Sentencing Commission, District Attorneys General Conference, state legislative offices and committees, and the Governor’s Office.

Research and Special Projects
The Criminal Justice Consultant conducts research and prepares reports, analyses, and project materials in response to requests from county and state officials. The consultant may also be assigned special projects related to law enforcement, corrections, and county criminal justice operations.

Training
The consultant supports CTAS training programs through course development, instructional planning, logistics coordination, and delivery of training for county officials and employees.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• At least six years of experience in law enforcement and/or jail management.
• At least four years of senior-level law enforcement and/or jail management experience.
• Experience developing and delivering law enforcement and/or jail management training programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and project-prioritization skills.
• Working knowledge of county government operations, including finance, purchasing, internal controls, and general management.
• Proficiency using spreadsheets and experience with 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 criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of six (6) years of experience working in sheriff's office law enforcement/jail management level experience with a minimum of four (4) years of senior level sheriff's office law enforcement/jail management experience, and experience in developing and instructing law enforcement and/or jail management programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Law enforcement/jail management and senior level management experience in a Sheriff's Office.

Work Location:

West Tennessee. The consultant’s primary service area will be West Tennessee; however, the position requires statewide travel, including occasional overnight travel.

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 November 29, 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.