Public Relations Coordinator 1

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:

• 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:

• 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.10 E $56,187 - $67,880

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: Development Review Center
1250 Market Street

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.

Department: Public Works

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for serving as the primary media liaison and for addressing all department programs, issues, and media inquiries. Coordinates communication programs that promote the department's programs, facilities, and services. Duties include developing public relations policy and initiatives; coordinating communication internally; providing counsel for marketing and promotional campaigns; and developing promotional materials and graphics for projects. Work requires limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion.

SERIES LEVEL:
The Public Relations Coordinator 1 is the first level of a three-level public information 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.)

Serves as a liaison between the assigned department and the media, which includes responding to media requests; disseminating press releases; generating and deferring media attention; preparing and disseminating public service announcements; creating talking points; generating public relations schedules; setting up press conferences and meetings; participating in interviews and performing other related activities.

Develops, plans, and implements community education, outreach, and marketing activities, materials, and publicity for applicable public information and/or involvement programs.

Plans, develops, coordinates, and gives presentations to schools, government agencies, community groups and at conferences.

Participates in developing and monitoring a public relations budget.

Coordinate the development, distribution, and analysis of surveys.

Creates newsletters, brochures, flyers, banners, displays, posters, and other marketing materials and coordinates and oversees the printing and incorporation of items on the City's website.

Develops, prepares, implements, and distributes educational and promotional materials, videos, lectures, training programs, and other literature to publicize services, programs, and events for assigned areas of responsibility; coordinates the dissemination of materials.

Designs, lays out, and coordinates the printing and dissemination of applicable reports, policy manuals, lists, and/or other applicable items.

Coordinates special events and programs, including work activities with other departments, outside agencies, and/or other applicable groups.

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):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism or Public Relations or related field and two (2) years of public relations experience; or any combination of equivalent experience and education. 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 
Valid Driver's License

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of public information principles, public relations principles, community relations principles, graphic design principles, writing styles, press management principles, media outlets, and marketing material development principles.

Skill in implementing public relations programs; coordinating speaking in public; developing, planning and implementing long-range educational initiatives; monitoring budgets; preparing marketing and collateral materials; preparing press releases; generating media attention; using a computer and related software applications; 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: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / drug screening / lift test / TB screening questionnaire / TB skin test / complete physical screening / DOT Clearinghouse / HepB Titer / fingerprinting / CJIS 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 encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

KNV 3/23/2026