Communications Coordinator

Job Description

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: $56,187- $67,880 annually (GS.10)

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects. Weekends and evenings are certainly possible, along with being outdoors*

Work Location: 221 River Street, Chattanooga, TN

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.

Department: Parks & Outdoors

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
This position will manage social media channels and digital assets, create content, help facilitate public engagement, and assist in staffing for public events. The Communications Coordinator is responsible for helping implement the city's communications strategy through digital media outreach. The Communications Coordinator is also responsible for implementing communication strategies, including media/press and stakeholder outreach, pitching long-lead press and marketing opportunities, digital media, event planning, video and photography editing, marketing, and other tactics and activities, as necessary.

SERIES LEVEL:
The Communications Coordinator is a stand-alone position.

*** This is an Appointed Position When Working in the Executive Branch ***

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.)

Work to help develop and implement a clear social media and digital communications strategy.

Develop departmental collateral and digital content that effectively engages local residents, including creating graphics, drafting copy, managing social media channels and content calendars, producing video and photography, and reporting on platform analytics.


Draft communications deliverables and content for the designated department, including creating and editing social media posts, newsletters, constituent communications, and website copy.


Support staff projects such as drafting documents, project plans, spreadsheets, data entry, and helping organize events.

Engage a diverse and inclusive range of community voices to help build durable coalitions to advance the department's agenda.

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):


When assigned to the Executive Branch Department:

Attend or staff Mayoral public appearances to capture photo and video content as needed.


Work with city departments to ensure their digital communications needs are met.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree and one (1)+ years of experience in the use and application of digital media, graphic design, and video and photography production; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

Preferred experience in video/photo production and editing, storytelling, social media, public speaking, and assisting with the Chattanooga National Park City initiative.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver's License

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Demonstrated ability to execute projects while balancing multiple and competing priorities on tight deadlines, all while providing continual attention to detail and quality. Digital media experience and capabilities, with a proven ability to communicate effectively on social media to diverse (and often polarized) audiences. Proficient graphic design skills and presentation production are strongly preferred.

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

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
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.

KNV 6/10/2026

KJF