Parent Family Community Engagement Specialist

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: $51,487- $62,201 (GS.9)

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

Work Location: 6098 Debra Rd, Chattanooga, TN

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.

Department:  Early Learning

Summary:

Incumbents in this classification will develop a strong, community based plan for formalized collaboration and support amongst agencies and service providers supporting young children and their families. This will include, but not be limited to: child care, health services, mental health services, social services, faith community, neighborhood supports. This work will be built upon evidence-based programming related to building the capacity of our communities to be resilient and to address the complex needs of modern families. As a part of the Office of Early Learning in the Department of Youth and Family Development, this position will align with existing efforts and will be responsible to the Office of Early Learning's goals of developing the early education infrastructure and building community support for early education. Works under the general direction of the Director of Parent, Family, and Community Engagement within the Department of Early Learning. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred, but not required.

SERIES LEVEL:This is a stand-alone position.

Examples of Duties:

Develop protocols for understanding and supporting the needs of local service agencies/providers in providing services to children and families.   Develop and execute capacity building activities with agencies/providers.Work alongside City of Chattanooga departments to understand the role of the City in supporting children and families and to support departments as they engage with the community.Support family events in the community through volunteering, tabling, supporting ongoing initiatives, and by hosting family events as appropriate.Collaborate with community partners to build the capacity of our city to have resilient systems the meet the needs of children and families.Use data-driven decision making, and report on outputs and outcomes at regular intervals.Represent the City of Chattanooga's early education system in local, state, and national forums.Procure, manage, and/or supervise contractors, consultants, and/or staff as needed.Other duties as required. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor degree or higher in early childhood, social work, public health, or a related field, and two (2) or more years of relevant experience in engaging a diverse group of stakeholders and/or supporting organizational capacity building/change; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.

Bilingual (Spanish) preferred, but not required.

 LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None

Supplemental Information:

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:   Knowledge of early learning systems, community engagement strategies, business planning and forecasting, early learning financing and funding, and early learning best practices in one or more system components. Skill in presenting to large and small groups, developing business plans, and convening diverse stakeholders. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, feeling, 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: Y  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check, drug test, 50lb. lift test, TB skin test, and fingerprint.

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.