Legal Assistant

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: GS.06N $20.96 - $25.32 an hour

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 Annex

FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.

Department: GG - City Attorneys Office


SERIES LEVEL:

The Legal Assistant 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.)

Prepares and edits memos, general correspondence, contracts, agreements and pleadings from drafts for attorney signature.

Prepares files for pretrial conferences, trials and sentencing from daily docket, locates files and requests supplemental reports.

Orders and assembles documents and materials required or requested by attorney.

Prepares discovery materials including the preparation of disclosure statements and lists of witnesses and exhibits and witness notifications, at direction of attorney.

Prepares standard pleading forms, trial subpoenas and personal service requests for witnesses, officers and victims.

Contacts appropriate agencies and courts regarding status of pleadings, scheduled hearings and other case information.

Coordinates interviews by scheduling dates and times, confirms appointments and calendars with attorneys, opposing counsel, officers, victims and victim advocates.

Maintains calendars of attorney appointments, meetings, interviews, court appearances and deadlines for court filings.

Contacts people in other departments to keep them informed of the status of relevant files, cases and schedules hearing dates.

Files and indexes office records, subject files, legal documents and library materials; scans and purges closed cases files.

Proofreads ordinances, resolutions, briefs, legal documents and other material for accuracy and completeness.

Answers phones, assists the public with inquiries and information requests, and performs other miscellaneous administrative duties.

Gathers and maintains relevant information and materials for reports requested by attorneys and City Attorney.

Creates, updates and maintains databases.

Orders, stocks and distributes office supplies and equipment.

Establishes, organizes and maintains filing systems; scans and indexes records into electronic document management systems; assists with records retention and destruction.

Opens, sorts and distributes mail; prepares outgoing mail.

Provides complex, specialized administrative and technical support for a department in processing timesheets, preparing personnel change forms, maintaining department files and information, maintaining calendars of events, meetings, deadlines, preparing and publishing legally required notices and/or other related documents.

Prepares for staff, City Council, Board and/or Commission meetings and/or special events which includes preparing meeting agendas and packets; publicizing meetings; recording meeting activities; transcribing and disseminating meeting minutes; scheduling; preparing and disseminating invitations, meeting announcements, legal ads and public notices; coordinating and assembling applicable materials; setting up rooms; ordering meals and snacks; receiving attendance confirmations and/or performing other related activities.

Researches legal publications, databases and public records and compiles information to draft documents.

Compiles, finalizes and files legal documents with various courts in accordance with established procedures.

Organizes, manages and maintains legal files and documents in accordance with accepted legal practices.

Contact, coordinate and schedule court reporters, videographers, and counsel for all parties to schedule depositions and notify parties of said depositions.

Has knowledge of Court rules from local to State level and federal level and filing procedures for each court.

Maintain and notarize affidavits pursuant to State law.


Be familiar with website requirements for federal, state and local governments in filing necessary pleadings, tax documents, and annual reports.

Maintain lists of active matters for federal reports and audits.


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):

Maintain any civil rights litigation or matters for annual reports so that various departments can meet grant requirements and file their required reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or GED; and two (2) years of experience in a law office or related environment or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.


LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Drivers License

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of customer service procedures and standards; standard office practices and procedures; court record keeping procedures; legal terminology and legal forms, methods and procedures; office filing procedures; electronic filing rules and procedures regarding for state and federal court filings; English language, grammar and punctuation; applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Skill in prioritizing and assigning work; using computers and related software applications; providing customer service; filing; composing a variety of business correspondence; preparing legal forms and documents; scheduling and coordinating special events and meetings; keyboarding; using modern office equipment; transcribing dictation and meeting minutes; interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; preparing and proofreading a variety of routine reports and/or documents; maintaining confidentiality; maintaining records and files; communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, 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 encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

KJS 07.23.2026