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:
Associate’s Degree $23.00/ hour
Bachelor’s Degree $25.00/ hour
Master’s Degree $27.00/hour
FLSA Status : This is a non-exempt position.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
This position works 195 days per year, 7.5 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects.
Department: Early Learning
Location:
This position supports one of the Head Start/Early Head Start Campuses: Avondale (2302 Ocoee St), James A Henry (1241 Grove St) Cedar Hill (4701 Divine Ave), or Daisy (9531 Ridge Trail Rd, Soddy Daisy).
SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Site Director and Assistant Site Director, the Teacher will provide a well planned, developmentally appropriate curriculum for assigned children and carry out supplementary activities related to the education component.
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.
Implement curricula in the classroom with fidelity.
Perform the functions of this position with a working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, State of Tennessee Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations, and Agency policies and procedures.
Plan and implement learning experiences that promote all developmental areas, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, numeric awareness, and language-including English as a second language if applicable, with a thorough knowledge and application of SVHS School Readiness Goals.
Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including; daily activities and selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom.
Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.
Guide children’s acquisition of social skills.
Work with the Teacher Assistant and/or Aides to use and develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities.
Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.
Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment, following all Head Start and TN State Standards. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained, cleaned, and stored.
Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure that the playground is safe.
Ensure that the daily health and environment checklist is complete.
Assist in implementing, individualizing, and monitoring children’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan), if applicable, documenting progress and seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood.
Assesses children's developmental level and plans program to meet their individual needs
Provide clear behavioral expectations and use effective methods to prevent and redirect misbehavior.
Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion;
Actively assist in transition activities.
Effectively communicate with families concerning classroom calendar, parent meetings, and special events; Encourage parent participation within the program.
Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Professional Development Plan and performance review.
Ensure that documentation and files are complete, accurate, and confidentiality maintained.
Assesses children's developmental level and plans program to meet their individual needs
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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field required.
Bachelor's Degree or in Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred.
Minimum of 1 year or more of experience with 3 or 4 year old children in a preschool classroom setting. Student teaching will fulfill the requirement of 1 year of experience.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of :
Preschool child growth and development
ECE best practices
Classroom management
Importance of relationships and responsive caregiving
Child safety and supervision
Experience working with young children in a group setting
Experience working with culturally diverse staff and clients
Confidentiality and respecting the rights of children, families, and staff
Skills in :
Successful experience working in a team setting
Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with a Teacher Assistant and Aide, assisting him/her in increasing knowledge and skills
Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community
Ability to plan, organize, and implement position requirements
Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff and clients
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Proficient use of computer applications, including word processing, data-entry into web-based software applications, and email communication
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class are very active and typically require: walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. This position is regularly required to talk and hear, and requires close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Smoking and tobacco use, including smokeless products and e-cigarettes, is prohibited on all Agency premises, vehicles, meeting places, and during home visits. Head Start staff are required to keep a change of clothing at the center if they smoke at home.
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.
This position is classified as Medium Work in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require staff to ensure the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively in the event of an emergency at a Head Start center.
SPECIA L REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL : N
Child Sensitive: Y
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titer, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.
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 7.23.25
KJF
