Principal Planner

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: $65,304- $78,894 annually (GS.12)

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: City Planning 

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for coordinating and managing complex planning projects and development proposals; conducting planning-related research and studies; and for formulating creative and responsible recommendations on public policy and complex zoning applications within the scope of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and laws. Work requires limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion.

SERIES LEVEL: 

This is the third level of a three-level planner 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.)

Manages and coordinates complex planning projects, development proposals, project reviews, sustainability and special studies which may include, but is not limited to, project feasibility, estimated cost, projected timelines, land use, transportation, urban design, zoning review, zoning text amendments, and other planning needs. 

Serves as team leader; formulates project work plan, assigns tasks to team members, monitors task progress, completions, project timelines, and deliverables.  

May serve as a lead to lower-level staff which includes prioritizing and assigning work; training staff on work methods and procedures; placing employees on performance review programs.

In the departmental director's absence may assume duties to support the maintenance of departmental functions. 

Researches, collects, analyzes and interprets data, information and uses geographical information systems (GIS) tool to evaluate, analyze and query planning-related data. 

Develops policy, ordinances, regulations, grant applications, requests for proposals and/or technical reports related to land use, transportation, and capital improvements; resilience sustainability, and incorporates community values and priorities, planning principles and research to formulate recommendations based on findings. 

Reviews zoning and development proposals and prepares findings for Planning Commission(s) which includes but is not limited to organizing meetings, preparing informational packets for members and performing other related activities. 
Interprets adopted plans, codes, and standards; advises engineers, site planners and the public on proper land use in conformance with existing ordinances, laws, and regulations; and responds to related questions and requests for information. 

Creates and updates maps by gathering, reviewing, copying and entering data into the geographical information system. 

Develops and organizes the appropriate public process and public meeting design, methods, presentations, materials, and other visual and written communication tools to facilitate project review, public meetings and community outreach; and serves as lead presenter/facilitator for contentious/complex projects. 

Collaborate with other departments geared toward leading a project team for ordinance amendments and other special projects.
Represents the City and/or the Agency at a variety of internal and/or external meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees and/or other related events in order to receive and convey information. 

Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and to verify development projects comply with approved plans. 

Assists in the development of project budgets and verifies contract expenditures and compliance. 

Creates a variety of materials such as maps, reports and brochures, visual presentations, site plans and renderings for presentation in meetings and to facilitate community education and outreach activities with neighborhood associations, advisory boards, and elected officials. 

Reviews, interprets and applies federal, state and local regulations as they relate to planning projects. 

Working with public stakeholders, City Council, the County Commission and other City/County staff to gain insight on community needs through public meetings; and outreach. 

Coordinating research to provide analysis and summary of existing conditions and future trends.

Work with neighborhoods and partners on grant projects and implementation to provide expertise regarding urban design and best management practices. Involvement in the development of policy and creation of new zones and districts.

Performs field research which includes data gathering and mapping.

Administer and implement agency wide standard operating procedures.

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: 

Master's degree in Planning, Urban Design, Public Policy or Environmental Science and five (5) years experience in land use, transportation or urban design planning, as well as in using a geographical information system; or any combination of equivalent experience and education..

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Valid Driver's License

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

Knowledge of one or more planning disciplines such as urban design, affordable housing, economic or community development, environmental/natural resources planning, historic preservation or land use; research methods; environmental planning principles; mathematical concepts, including statistical methods; site planning and architectural design principles; planning terminology, methods, materials, practices and techniques; budgeting principles; customer service and public relations principles; mapping software applications; project management principles and practices; applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; grant process and writing. 

Skill in prioritizing and assigning work; using computers and related software applications; providing customer service; implementing public relations programs; managing projects; managing multiple priorities simultaneously; manipulating Geographic Information System (GIS) data; managing complex projects; performing mathematical calculations; compiling data from multiple external sources; designing and executing surveys; reading and interpreting architectural and engineering drawings; reading maps and scales; conducting research; interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; organizing, collecting and analyzing data; resolving conflict; creating and giving presentations; speaking in public; and effective writing techniques, preparing reports and documents; and, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co workers, supervisor, and the general public, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. 
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Positions in this class typically require reaching, fingering, grasping, 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 a 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.

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 3.26.25

KJF