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.
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.
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 13 EXEMPT $72,038-$87,030
Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*
Work Location: 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN
FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.
Department: Public Works
CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
The Manager Zoning Development is responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day zoning and planning operations of the Land Use Division of the Land Development Office. Work is performed with general direction, working from broad goals and policies.
SERIES LEVEL:
The Manager Zoning Development 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.)
Supervises division staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
Directs and monitors the day-to-day planning and zoning activities and operations, which include: maintaining, administering, and implementing standard operating procedures, quality assurance standards, policies, goals, objectives, work plans, and workflow; ensuring procedures and equipment meet operational and program performance standards; and, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Collaborates and meets with land developers, real estate professionals, elected officials, residents, and other City and County professional staff members to discuss, advise, and assist with various zoning and planning issues and questions.
Prepares and presents multi-media zoning and planning presentations for staff review meetings, Commission public hearings, City Council meetings, and/or other applicable groups. Coordinates and helps develop amendments to zoning regulations.
Performs field checks and photographs sites and surrounding areas identified for variances, special permits, or other zoning requests.
Directs the preparation and administration of projects, which include: defining specifications; soliciting bids; selecting consultants and vendors; overseeing and monitoring project progress; reviewing project reports; making public presentations; forming and organizing committees; and chairing public meetings.
Provides technical guidance and expertise to architects, developers, realtors, contractors, property owners, and the general public regarding zoning and planning projects; responds to related questions and requests for information.
Reviews proposals and designs for compliance with applicable regulations and makes recommendations based on analysis; attends pre-submittal meetings to review projects.
Develops and facilitates community education and outreach programs. Organizes, coordinates, and facilitates public meetings.
Participates in forecasting, preparing, and administering section budgets; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; submits justifications for budget items; monitors and controls expenditures.
Prepares and evaluates specifications, scopes of work, and requests for proposals for new projects; negotiates related contracts and change orders.
Communicates and collaborates with internal departments, external consultants, vendors, external agencies, regulatory officials, Boards, Commissions, Committees, the general public, and/or other interested parties to coordinate work activities, exchange information, and resolve problems.
Directs and reviews the analysis of a variety of data and information; formulates recommendations based on findings; manages priorities, work processes, and procedures; ensures adherence and compatibility with organizational goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives.
Directs, reviews, and participates in the development of a variety of reports, work papers, communications, schedules, and/or other related documents to and from internal departments, governmental entities, external agencies, contractors, and/or other interested parties.
Compiles and monitors operational, administrative, and statistical data related to zoning and land use planning operations and regulatory requirements; prepares related reports, procedures, and documentation.
Provides technical expertise and guidance to contractors, ensuring compliance with applicable contract terms and conditions and authorizing contractor payments.
Represents the City and/or the Department at a variety of internal and/or external meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events in order to receive and/or convey information.
Collaborates with Public Works staff to evaluate existing and proposed policies, translating analysis into clear recommendations, resolutions, and policy amendments that improve effectiveness and public outcomes.
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:
Bachelor's Degree in Land Use Planning, Urban Design, or a related field with Master's level coursework in the field, supplemented by four (4) years of experience in urban planning, urban design, zoning, development review, project management, and budget administration; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver’s License
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of management principles; subdivision planning and design principles, practices, methods and procedures; land use planning principles, concepts and methods; local legislative processes; policy analysis principles; development review principles; research, data and report presentation techniques; applicable Federal, State and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; strategic planning principles and practices; research and data analysis techniques; public relations principles and budgeting principles.
Skill in monitoring and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; prioritizing and assigning work; using a computer and related software applications; analyzing engineering drawings, plans, maps, aerial photographs, land use and census data; developing and administering budgets; reviewing, planning and designing projects; reviewing design and development data and information; coordinating inter-agency activities and projects; analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals; responding to changing situations and needs; analyzing data associated with land-use and site plans; handling multiple tasks simultaneously; facilitating negotiations and mediations; speaking in public; conducting research; preparing a variety of reports and business correspondence; developing and analyzing community outreach and education programs and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
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: NO
Child Sensitive: NO
Dept of Transportation (CDL): NO
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 7/01/2026
