Assistant Director Community Centers

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.

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Salary: $72,038 - $87,029 Annually (GS.13E)

Work Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments, or projects.*

Work Location: Community Development Complex

FLSA Status:  This is an Exempt position.

Department:  Community Development

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Community Centers provides senior-level operational leadership across multiple facilities, overseeing daily operations, personnel, fiscal management, and program performance. This role drives divisional alignment by standardizing policies and service expectations while serving as a critical strategic liaison between frontline management and departmental leadership.

SERIES LEVEL: The Assistant Director Community Centers is a stand-alone position.

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. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific
duties.)
 

Manage and oversee the daily operations of assigned community centers, programs, facilities, and services, including planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating activities.
 

Ensure programs and services comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, standards, and departmental policies.
 

Evaluate community needs, participation data, and industry trends to ensure programs remain relevant, accessible, and responsive.
 

Conduct and analyze community surveys related to program interests, satisfaction, and service quality.
 

Identify operational gaps and opportunities for improvement in facilities, programming, and service delivery.

Supervise Community Center Managers and program staff, including assigning and prioritizing work, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring appropriate training and policy compliance.
 

Foster a safe, professional, and inclusive work environment; address performance concerns and make hiring, disciplinary, and termination recommendations as appropriate.
 

Support leadership development, succession planning, and staff capacity-building across community centers.
 

Prepare, administer, and monitor multiple operating and program budgets; develop cost estimates and submit budget justifications.

Monitor revenues, expenditures, attendance, and performance metrics; prepare and review financial and operational reports.

Oversee purchasing card usage and ensure timely reconciliation in accordance with City policies.
 

Evaluate and recommend procurement of equipment, supplies, and capital needs to support efficient operations.
 

Coordinate operations division regarding facility maintenance, repairs, safety issues, and capital improvement needs with Facilities Management, Public Works, and other City departments.
 

Evaluate facility conditions to ensure patron accessibility, safety, and compliance with applicable standards.
 

Participate in investigations related to accidents, incidents, or operational issues involving staff, facilities, or patrons.
 

Resolve operational issues, complaints, and inquiries from internal and external customers in person, by phone, or in writing.
 

Prepare, review, and submit reports, reconciliations, communications, schedules, promotional materials, and related documentation.
 

Support the development and review of marketing and promotional materials for programs, services, special events, and facilities.
 

Represent the Community Centers Division at meetings, task forces, trainings, and community events as assigned.
 

Work collaboratively with other City departments and community partners to support integrated service delivery and neighborhood initiatives.
 

Support compliance with contracts, grants, and regulatory requirements affecting community center operations.
 

Must meet regular attendance requirements.
 

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.
 

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
 

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):
None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Management, Education, Recreation, or a closely related field with seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in operations, business or organizational management, public administration, finance, administration, or the planning, procurement, deployment, and support of operational programs and services; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.
 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver’s License
 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of community center operations, municipal administration, and public service delivery. Knowledge of personnel supervision, performance management, and employee development. Knowledge of budgeting, purchasing card administration, revenue tracking, and financial reporting. Knowledge of facility operations, safety practices, and accessibility standards. Skill in evaluating programs, analyzing trends, and making operational recommendations. Skill in customer service,
conflict resolution, and public engagement.
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, 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. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises, and travel.
 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: YES 

Child Sensitive: YES 

Dept of Transportation (CDL): NO

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check, drug screening, fingerprinting, and lift test.

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 encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

260535 - KS/KF