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:
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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:
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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: Dependent upon appointment.
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, 101 East 11th Street
FLSA Status: This is an Exempt, Appointed position.
Department: Executive Branch
CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
The Senior Advisor for Communications serves as the chief architect of the Mayor’s public narrative, media strategy, and community engagement vision. Operating at the highest level of municipal government, this role bridges the gap between policy implementation and public perception. The Senior Advisor directs all internal and external communications, ensures messaging alignment across all city departments, and serves as a trusted messenger of the Mayor during routine operations and high-stakes crises. This position functions as a strategic pivot point, utilizing analytical insights and multimedia narrative techniques alongside assertive press engagement to foster community confidence and clearly articulate the administration’s primary policy objectives.
SERIES LEVEL:
The Senior Advisor for Communications is a stand-alone position.
*** This is an Appointed 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.)
Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term communications plan that clearly articulates to diverse and bilingual audiences the Mayor’s vision, policy wins, and community initiatives.
Direct the creation of high-profile speeches, op-eds, talking points, and briefings for the Mayor and senior executive staff.
Provide executive oversight to Public Information Officers (PIOs) across all city departments (e.g., Police, Fire, Public Works) to ensure message consistency and unity of voice.
Working with the Press Secretary, oversee all press conferences, media availabilities, and editorial board meetings; cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
Support the Press Secretary in serving as the primary, high-level spokesperson for the Mayor's administration, managing complex inquiries and pitching proactive stories that highlight City successes.
Utilize modern tracking tools to analyze media coverage, gauge public sentiment, and adjust communication strategies dynamically.
Formulate and deploy immediate, transparent, and authoritative communication strategies during public safety emergencies, political crises, or natural disasters.
Serve as the central communication link between the Mayor's office, emergency management agencies, and county/state partners during critical incidents.
Actively monitor and correct public misinformation or rumors to maintain public safety and community stability.
Oversee the City’s digital media ecosystem, including the Mayor's social media platforms, website, email newsletters, and video production, ensuring high-quality, accessible content.
Sit on the Mayor’s senior leadership team, advising on the potential public and political impact of proposed policies, ordinances, and executive decisions.
Ensure all communication strategies strictly adhere to public records laws (TCA/Open Records), ethical standards, and digital accessibility mandates (ADA compliance).
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 Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Administration, Political Science, Marketing, or a related field and experience at the Executive policy level, with progressively responsible management experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis management, or high-level journalism, and experience at the supervisory level; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.
Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, or Public Policy preferred.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver’s License
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or similar professional communication certification preferred.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Extensive knowledge of strategic communication frameworks, media market dynamics, crisis communication protocols, public relations strategies, and community outreach initiatives; including, but not limited to, press operations, digital media ecosystems, speechwriting, public opinion tracking, media monitoring tools, and departmental management practices; Mastery in interpreting, applying, and communicating applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations, including the Tennessee Public Records Act, open meetings ("Sunshine") laws, and digital accessibility (ADA) standards.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting transparency, civic engagement, and equity to enhance public trust and the quality of life for all residents. Excellent editing and communication skills. Ability to advocate for and support administration initiatives, cultivate diverse media relationships, and engage community organizations and services. Demonstrated ability to execute comprehensive communication campaigns and rapid-response strategies while balancing multiple competing priorities on tight deadlines, all while providing continual attention to accuracy, detail, and quality. A strategic thinker who can lead and provide guidance on issues of executive messaging, public narrative, crisis mitigation, brand reputation, digital equity, media relations, and empowering low-income and culturally diverse communities through inclusive and accessible communications.
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.
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KNV 7/28/2026
