Knoxville — Lawmaker and businessman Roger Kane has been offered Knox County's new job of education liaison at an annual salary of about $70,000, records released Tuesday show.
Incoming Mayor Glenn Jacobs is creating the position. He's also planning to hire a diversity development manager who will work to boost opportunities for small, minority-owned, veteran-owned and women-owned businesses with Knox County.
Jacobs, a Republican, will be sworn in Friday and formally becomes mayor Saturday. He replaces Tim Burchett, a Republican who is term-limited and seeking the 2nd Congressional District seat for Tennessee.
On Monday, 10News reported that Jacobs was ready to hire Kane to be education liaison. Kane, who has represented the 89th District over there terms, hasn't returned a phone call.
An insurance company representative, Kane has served on an education committee in the General Assembly.
Word of his new job has triggered opposition among some Knox County education advocates including members of an outspoken education-oriented Facebook group.
The job description, released Tuesday by Jacobs' spokesman Rob Link, calls for the new hire to "implement and manage efforts of Knox County Government to effectively work with other stakeholders (e.g. Knox County Schools, post-secondary educational institutions, parents, students....) to enhance educational opportunities and facilitate preparation for high-demand jobs."
Qualifications include a bachelor's degree preferably in education, at least five years' previous experience and experience working with federal, state and local government entities "or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position."
It's listed as having a county pay grade of 17 with a recommended pay of $70,711.
Kane has been offered the job, Link said.
Jacobs also is seeking to fill a diversity manager's job he's creating.
Minimum qualifications for that job include a bachelor's degree, preferably in a field such as human resources management or public administration. Also, the candidate should have at least two years' experience "or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities..."
It's listed at a county pay grade of 14 with a recommended pay of $63,485.
