Compliance Officer

Compliance Officer – Head Start Program Job Summary The Compliance Officer is responsible for maintaining City compliance with Federal and State statutes governing the Head Start division of Early Learning. The role reviews City policies and procedures for compliance, provides programs, attends meetings to foster partnerships between City departments and organizations, and may work directly with children. Classification Summary Chattanooga Head Start is a grant‑funded program, subject to reapplication every 5 years. Incumbents maintain City compliance with federal and state statutes, review policies for alignment, and promote partnerships among City departments and partner organizations. The role requires limited supervision and independent judgment. Essential Functions Monitors operational processes and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and ethical standards. Reviews City policies and practices to ensure alignment with applicable federal and state statutes. Conducts program and internal audits to ensure compliance with Federal Head Start standards. Evaluates compliance issues, prepares reports, and develops action plans as needed. Maintains compliance with Tennessee Child Care Licensing requirements, including tracking and updating fingerprints and employee documentation. Supports Manager, Compliance & Operations in executing the Program Monitoring Plan. Assists Content Area Managers in compliance monitoring and follows up with corrective action when non‑compliance occurs. Collaborates with the Professional Development Specialist to develop, oversee, and document the Head Start orientation process. Coordinates with HS Departments (e.g., Fiscal) to ensure smooth handling of HR‑related issues. Serves as the first point of contact for Head Start employees regarding HR concerns, including FMLA, Injury on Duty, Administrative Leave, and other leave‑related matters. Assists employees with inquiries about leave balances, accruals, and other HR‑related policies. Coordinates and ensures accurate entry of resignations, terminations, and other personnel changes in Oracle. Develops and oversees the Head Start orientation process, collaborating with the City HR Department to onboard new employees and maintain personnel files. Participates in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder groups to convey information and build partnerships. Organizes special events and functions to foster collaboration and promote changes within the Department of Early Learning. Maintains positive relationships with City departments and external partners to facilitate compliance and program success. Manages information flow by researching, recording, and analyzing data and information. Prepares and gives presentations on compliance‑related issues and program updates. Creates and updates promotional materials, including brochures, surveys, and collateral for program initiatives. Manages and updates the Head Start agency website to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination. Assists MOC in executing implementation strategy for Self‑Assessment, FA1 and FA2. Oversees fingerprint scheduling, terminated employee files, and compliance documentation. Coordinates with Content Managers to ensure program policies and procedures are updated annually. Assists management team with budget preparation. Meets regular attendance requirements. Maintains good interpersonal relationships with staff, co‑workers, managers, and citizens. Accomplishes the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner. Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, human resources, or a closely related field required; Master’s preferred. At least 1 year of experience with grant administration, regulatory compliance, human resources, operations management, or a closely related field. Experience with federal grant management preferred. Experience with Head Start/Early Head start preferred. Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions will be considered. Licensing and Certifications None Supplemental Information Knowledge of customer service principles; applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; collaborative mediation techniques; interviewing techniques; research methods; administrative complaint processes; investigative techniques; telephone etiquette. Skill in facilitating mediations, researching and writing legal documents, interviewing clients, providing customer service, interpreting and applying applicable laws, preparing business correspondence, handling multiple tasks simultaneously, speaking in public, coordinating special events, and community outreach. Knowledge of equalized pay principles. Physical Demands Positions require fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Work Environment Medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. The role requires the health and safety of children, including direct supervision and emergency response. Special Requirements Safety Sensitive: No Department of Transportation – CDL: No Child Sensitive: Yes EEO Statement 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. Salary With BS Degree: $28.00/hr With MA Degree: $31.50/hr Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST). Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects. Work Location: 2302 Ocoee St., Chattanooga, TN 37406 FLSA Status: Exempt Job Information Job Identification: 260382 Job Category: Legal Posting Date: 05/07/2026, 06:33 PM Apply Before: 05/22/2026, 03:55 AM Job Schedule: Full time Location: 2302 Ocoee St, Chattanooga, TN 37406 (On‑site) #J-18808-Ljbffr Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise