Public relations Jobs in Chattanooga, TN

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 futurefamously 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: $56,187 - $67,880 annually (GS.10)

Work Hours: Monday Friday, 8:00 A.M. 4:30 P.M. (EST)*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects. Hours can be flexed for required events in the evening and on weekends *

Work Location: 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.

Department: City Planning

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY: The Outreach Coordinator develops and executes civic environmental strategies to engage City of Chattanooga employees and residents through targeted media campaigns, public speaking, and community events. Responsible for creating multimedia contentincluding newsletters, web materials, and promotional videosthe role acts as a primary municipal spokesperson, managing resident inquiries, appearing in local media interviews, and maintaining active stakeholder relationships. Additionally, the Coordinator provides dedicated outreach support to key City divisions such as Parks & Outdoors, Stormwater, Community Development, and Solid Waste, while collecting program data to produce analytical reports. Operating in a blend of office and field environments during local events and technical assistance visits, this position bridges public engagement, cross-departmental collaboration, and data-driven strategy to advance citywide sustainability goals.

SERIES LEVEL: The Outreach Coordinator 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.)

Draft and maintain a sustainability outreach strategy for both City employees and Chattanooga residents.

Collect and analyze outreach data.

Process resident-related inquiries regarding sustainability and direct them to appropriate City departments when necessary.

Prepare a variety of reports, documents, informational packets, and/or other materials related to project and program activities and initiatives; disseminate information to applicable individuals, external agencies, and/or internal departments.

Design and develop newsletters, videos, brochures, web content, and other components of media campaigns for outreach activities to effectively meet program goals.

Maintain ongoing communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Public speaking and engagement appearances at events, tours, workshops, lunch and learns, trainings, and other outreach opportunities.

Participate in on-screen interviews with local media outlets.

Support additional City departments in relevant sustainability outreach, including but not limited to Parks & Outdoors, Stormwater, Community Development, and Solid Waste.

Incumbents typically work in an office setting, with field work associated with community events and technical assistance visits/meetings.

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.

Evenings and occasional weekends may be required based on community opportunities.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any): None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Education, Public Policy, or a related field supplemented by five (5) years of experience in energy programs, community outreach, public education, sustainability, housing programs, or a related field; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: Valid Driver's License

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Knowledge of public involvement techniques and strategies; communication principles; community relations principles; implementing strategies; project management principles; 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; and applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations.

Skill in preparing marketing and collateral materials; strategic planning and implementing; public coordinating and organizing volunteers; using a computer and related software applications; analyzing a variety of data and making recommendations based on findings; handling multiple tasks simultaneously, organizing and prioritizing work; collaborating with non-profit and community-based organizations; applying independent judgment, personal discretion and resourcefulness in interpreting and applying guidelines; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees and those contacted in the course of work; 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; written and verbal communication; preparing marketing and collateral materials.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Positions in this class typically require stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, 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