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: $18.09 - $21.85 per hour (GS.5)
Work Hours: Monday - Sunday, Part-Time with times and days varying depending on programs and events.
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*
Work Location: 1102 South Watkins, Chattanooga, TN
FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.
Department: Parks & Outdoors
CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for instructing and participating in daily recreation and art activities for diverse populations including children, adults and seniors. Duties include coaching and/or officiating sporting events; organizing and leading outdoor activities; conducting administrative tasks such as creating program attendance reports, reserving facilities and creating marketing materials; may collect fees for programs or facilities usage and may train and oversee volunteer staff. Work is performed with moderate supervision.
SERIES LEVEL:
The Recreation Specialist 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.)
Assists in planning, preparing, coordinating and facilitating a wide variety of recreational events, classes and/or activities which may include supervising patrons; reserving facilities and/or transportation; procuring supplies; scheduling events, classes and/or activities; developing promotional and marketing materials; preparing rosters; setting up sites; monitoring events and/or performing other related activities.
Performs tasks related to routine day-to-day operations including inventory maintenance activities and monitoring sites and facilities for potential safety hazards.
Responds to requests for information or complaints over the phone and in person regarding recreation programs, processes, procedures, events and/or activities.
Serves as a liaison with program participants and sponsors.
Performs routine clerical work.
Registers participants for programs, events and/or classes; receives and processes applications and fees; maintains related records and information.
May be required to use, carry and answer their cell phone as determined by their 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):
Grant coordinator for Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (SETAAAD), attend SETAAAD meetings and conferences. Schedule annual Health Promotion classes and evidence-based workshops. These classes and workshops provide participants with structured activities that include group discussions, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, videos, sharing practical solutions and exercise training.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three (3) years of any combination of relevant education, training or experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job will be considered; or any combination of equivalent experience and education. Examples of relevant experience include recreation programming work and outdoor recreation instruction in areas such as whitewater kayaking.
Sports programming experience preferred.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Ability to obtain First Aid/CPR Certification or certifications specific to area of assignment.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of basic recreation operations in assigned areas of responsibility; record keeping methods and procedures; customer service principles; modern office procedures and inventory maintenance principles.
Skill in providing customer service; using a computer and related software applications; maintaining records; operating modern office equipment; monitoring and maintaining inventory; 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 climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. extreme temperatures
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: Y
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: Y
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / drug screening / lift test
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.
JES 3.26.25
KJF 260402
