Director Legislative Affairs

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: $95,376 - $115,225 Annually (GS.17E)

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

Work Location: City Hall, 101 East 11th Street

FLSA Status:  This is an Exempt position.

Department:  City Council

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

The Director of Legislative Affairs serves as a senior advisor and operational lead for the Chattanooga City Council’s legislative functions. This position is responsible for policy research and development, legislative process coordination, and stakeholder engagement — ensuring the Council operates with clarity, efficiency, and accountability. The Director works closely with Council members, city departments, and the public to advance legislative priorities and deliver responsive, ethical public service to Chattanooga residents.  

SERIES LEVEL: The Director of Legislative Affairs is a stand-alone classification.

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.)

Research, analyze, and draft policy proposals, ordinances, and resolutions in alignment with the Council’s priorities.

Monitor local, state, and federal legislative actions and assess their impact on Chattanooga. 

Provide policy briefings, reports, and recommendations to City Council members.

Collaborate and engage with community stakeholders, city departments, and policy experts to develop informed legislative strategies.

Assist and help maintain clear communication channels between the Council office, the administration and its leadership, and the public around legislative matters.

Support the development and implementation of council legislative processes, including committee coordination and legislative tracking.

Support members in addressing community affairs.

Assist with council-related constituent services.

Accompany and represent city council members to attend meetings as needed for legislative and community matters.

Prepare policy-related reports, briefing materials, press releases, social media updates, and informational materials for policy initiatives and Council community affairs activities.

Ensure compliance with city policies, ethics guidelines, and open government regulations.

Work with city departments and agencies on behalf of City Council members to facilitate collaboration, gather relevant information, and ensure policy implementation aligns with Council directives.

Perform duties as assigned 

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 related duties as assigned. 

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

N/A.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Urban Planning, related experience, or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in policy research, government affairs, legislative processes, or community relations.

Experience working in municipal government or with elected officials is highly desirable.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Valid Driver's License required.  

Tennessee Engineering License preferred, but not required.

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Strong understanding of local governance, policy development, and legislative procedures.

Maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive information.

Exercise professionalism, discretion, courtesy, and accuracy.

Excellent research, analytical, strategic planning, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to engage diverse communities and foster strong constituent relationships, including elected officials.

High level of organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Proficiency in Google Workspace.

Commitment to ethical public service and a passion for improving Chattanooga’s communities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Positions in this class typically require reaching, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up-to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work to attend community meetings and Council events.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N

Department of Transportation - CDL: N

Child Sensitive: N

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check.

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.

DRC 7/1/26

260532 - JS/KF