Paralegal

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.08 $23.19 - $28.02 per 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: City Attorney

SERIES LEVEL:

The Paralegal 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.)

Manages and administers a diverse range of contracts through all phases, from origination to final execution, including drafting and preparing agreements, contracts, deeds, and pleadings in support of active litigation, and ensures all contractual documents comply with City rules and regulations.

Performs legal research and case documentation; assists with preparation for legal proceedings; drafts legal documents, pleadings, motions, and correspondence; and researches and analyzes legal sources-including statutes, judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes-to prepare briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, deeds, and trust instruments for the Attorney.

Organize and maintain case files, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Prepare and file legal documents with courts and government agencies.

Prepare and review discovery materials, subpoenas, and summons; assist in trial preparation, including the preparation of deposition summaries and abstracts of documents.

Schedule court hearings, depositions, conferences, and maintain litigation files. Coordinate with court reporters, videographers, and opposing counsel.

Communicate with clients, witnesses, law enforcement, and court personnel. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Uses, carries, and answers cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and the department head.

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:

High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years of work experience as a paralegal; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Driver's License
Paralegal Certificate preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge in real estate title work, contract lifecycle management (CLM), legal procedures, and practices involved in composing, processing, and filing a variety of legal documents, standard legal references, and their contents. Understanding of modern office procedures, methods, computer equipment usage, court procedures, and case management. Experience in commercial real estate law, real estate transactions, and/or land use and zoning.

Proficiency in personal computers and software, including Microsoft Office Suite and legal research tools. Strong command of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities. Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Commitment to maintaining a high level of professionalism and discretion.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Positions in this class typically require reaching, 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

Child Sensitive: N

Dept of Transportation (CDL): 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.

KJS 08.24.2026