Purchasing Clerk

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network.​  The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.  

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately ​2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge  smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• ​The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground:  Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it.  As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim.  Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• ​Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

Salary:
With HS Diploma - $18.00 / hour

FLSA Status: This is a non-exempt position.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
This position works 260 days per year, 8 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects.

Department: Early Learning

Location: Head Start Administrative Office, 2302 Ocoee Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406

SUMMARY:
The Purchasing Clerk coordinates the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment for the Chattanooga Head Start program using Electronic Requisitioning, Purchasing, and Encumbrance Software modules for the processing of purchases. Reports to the Manager of Fiscal Operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities.

Order merchandise and services based on program needs.

Use electronic requisitioning, purchasing, and encumbrance software modules for processing of purchases.

Review requisitions for accuracy, completeness, and account codes and prepare and process purchase orders.

Work closely with the Purchasing Supervisor and Manager Financial Operations to resolve any issues with purchase orders or the release of encumbered expenses.

Coordinate purchasing details with city buyers, including pricing revisions, order cancellations, discontinued items, acceptable substitutes, delivery date revisions, and invoice discrepancies.

Compare costs and evaluate the quality and suitability of supplies, materials, and equipment; provide price comparisons and quotes when requested.

Track requisitions through the City system to ensure receipt and payment are made in a timely manner.

Communicates effectively with City purchasing and accounting staff.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or GED.

Job-related Associate degree and/or Purchasing Certification preferred.
Minimum of one year of purchasing experience in a high-volume purchasing environment.
Ability to pass a child-sensitive background check.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

Electronic requisitioning, purchasing, and encumbrance software, and/or proven ability to learn complex computer systems.
Knowledge of: Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Google Cloud apps (Docs, Sheets, Email)

Skills in:

Ability to work successfully and consistently with little supervision.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to monitor and prioritize workload properly to meet strict deadlines.
Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to see analogous situations within a complex structure and apply similar solutions.
Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to work in a team environment; provide assistance in a collaborative fashion.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Positions in this class typically require: walking, standing, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

MEDIUM WORK - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

This position is classified as Medium Work in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require staff to ensure the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively in the event of an emergency at a Head Start center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N

Child Sensitive: Y

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire, and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titter, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
 

KNV 4/23/2026

KJF