Compliance Officer at City of Chattanooga 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 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: 
With BS Degree:    $28.00/hr
With MA Degree:    $31.50/hr

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

Work Location:  2302 Ocoee St.,C hattanooga, TN 37406

FLSA Status:  This is an Exempt position.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY: 
Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for maintaining City compliance with Federal and State statutes governing the Head Start division of Early Learning. Reviewing City policies and procedures for compliance, providing programs and attending meetings in order to foster partnerships between other City departments and organizations as it relates to Head Start. Work requires limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion. All employees employed by Chattanooga Head Start may work directly with children.

SERIES LEVEL: The Compliance Officer is a stand-alone classification. 

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.) 

Monitors operational processes and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations and ethical standards.

Reviews City policies and practices to ensure alignment with applicable Federal and State statutes.

Conducts program and internal audits to ensure compliance with Federal Head Start standards.

Evaluates compliance issues, prepares reports, and develops action plans as needed.

Maintains compliance with Tennessee Child Care Licensing requirements, including tracking and updating fingerprints and employee documentation.

Supports Manager, Compliance & Operations in executing the Program Monitoring Plan.

Assists Content Area Managers in compliance monitoring and follows up with corrective action when non-compliance occurs. 

Collaborate with the Professional Development Specialist to develop, oversee, and document the Head Start orientation process 

Coordinates with HS Departments (i.e. Fiscal) to ensure smooth handling HR-related issues

Serves as the first point of contact for Head Start employees regarding HR concerns, including FMLA, Injury on Duty (IOD), 
Administrative Leave, and other leave-related matters.

Assists employees with inquiries about leave balances, accruals, and other HR-related policies.

Coordinates and ensures accurate entry of resignations, terminations, and other personnel changes in Oracle.

Develops and oversees the Head Start orientation process, collaborating with the City HR Department to onboard new employees and maintain personnel files.

Participates in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder groups to convey information and build partnerships.

Organizes special events and functions to foster collaboration and promote changes within the Department of Early Learning.

Maintains positive relationships with City departments and external partners to facilitate compliance and program success.

Manages information flow by researching, recording, and analyzing data and information.

Prepares and gives presentations on compliance-related issues and program updates.

Creates and updates promotional materials, including brochures, surveys, and collateral for program initiatives.

Manages and updates the Head Start agency website to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination.

Assists MOC in executing implementation strategy for Self-Assessment, FA1 and FA2.

Oversees fingerprint scheduling, terminated employee files, and compliance documentation.

Coordinates with Content Managers to ensure program policies and procedures are updated annually.

Assists management team with budget preparation.

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: 
Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, human resources, or a closely related field required; Master’s preferred.
At least 1  years experience with grant administration, regulatory compliance, human resources, operations management, or a closely related field. Experience with federal grant management preferred. Experience with Head Start/Early Head start preferred. Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 
None

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 
Knowledge of customer service principles; applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; collaborative mediation techniques; interviewing techniques; research methods; administrative complaint processes;  investigative techniques and telephone etiquette. Skill in facilitating mediations; researching and writing legal documents; interviewing clients; providing customer service; interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; preparing business correspondence; handling multiple tasks simultaneously; speaking in public; coordinating special events, educational opportunities and community outreach programs, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. Additionally, knowledge of equalized pay principles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 
Positions in this class typically require 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 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Safety Sensitive: N 
Department of Transportation - CDL: N 
Child Sensitive: Y 

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.

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/ fingerprinting

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 7.15.25

KJF