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: $92,446- $112,802 (GS.14)
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:
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for providing technical guidance in the design and development of construction plans and documents, as well as solutions to complex engineering problems. Technical expertise in one or more of the following engineering specializations is required: Roadway and Urban Street design, Traffic Design, Hydraulic Engineering including both sanitary and stormwater systems, Structural Design and Analysis of buildings, bridges and underground structures, Geotechnical Engineering and Design. Work requires limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion.
SERIES LEVEL:
The Civil Engineer 3 is the third level of a four-level engineer series.
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.)
Designs complex atypical civil engineering projects for public works, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, laws and regulations, standards, policies and procedures. Public works projects include, but are not limited to, geotechnical and structural design, design and analysis of retaining walls and structures, drainage design, box culverts, box bridges, signalization, and lighting; and any associated document preparation.
Supervise, mentor, tutor, train, and direct junior engineers and technicians staff in current design methods, procedures and daily assignments. Activities include, but are not limited to, in-house technical seminars, one-on-one training sessions, technical design assistance, and continual monitoring of procedures and processes to optimize individuals’ performance and technical output quality.
Assists with legal proceedings in which Expert Testimony or Technical Representation or Assistance is required by the Office of the City Engineer. These tasks include legal case preparations, courtroom representation as the City of Chattanooga’s Representative, Expert Testimony, and any other necessities associated with legal proceedings.
Responsible for reading current technical literature, maintaining professional affiliations, and attending workshops and technical training sessions, when appropriate.
Assists in the procurement and oversight of professional consulting and/or contracting services, which includes: assembling bid documents, preparing specifications, opening bids, evaluating responses to bids, participating in pre-bid meetings, and performing other related activities.
Communicates with management staff, other employees, developers, engineers, contractors, and external organizations to coordinate activities.
Implements construction and contract management of City Capital Projects with responsibility for oversight of schedule and project budgets for applicable specifications, regulations and laws related to transportation infrastructure. Directly coordinates with TDOT Local Programs, TDOT Region 2, and utility contractors on Federal/State Funded projects.
Represents the department and/or the City at a variety of meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events or groups in order to receive and convey information pertaining to City policy, projects or programs.
Maintains a variety of engineering records and documentation.
Uses, carries and answers their 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):
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) and eight (8) years of experience; or any combination of equivalent experience and education. Education may include other applicable engineering fields such as Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Construction Management.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Professional Engineering required
Professional Engineer License must be issued in the State of Tennessee
Valid Driver's License
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Certifications Preferred: Level I and Level II Erosion & Sediment Control
Tennessee Department of Transportation Certifications Preferred:
Hot Mix Asphalt Roadway
Concrete Certified Field Technician
Concrete Plant Quality Control Technician
Soils & Aggregate Certified Testing Technician
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; engineering design standards; customer service principles; civil engineering design principles; construction principles and practices; materials, tools, and methods involved in the design and construction or repair of roads, highways, and structures; and, land surveying guidelines. Knowledge of additional standards and design guidelines such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book - A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Skill in using a computer and related software applications, such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcView, GIS, Civil Storm/Sanitary or HEC-RAS, Synchro and HCS; reading and comprehending a variety of technical plans, drawings, and models; using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; preparing technical documents, preparing and reviewing engineering designs in compliance with applicable standards, interpreting and comprehending applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, odors, dusts, and extreme temperatures.
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.
JES 3.13.25
KJF 260228
