Staff Attorney 1

Salary: GS.15E $83,118 - $122,526 a year

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

Work Location: City Hall Annex

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.

Department: City Attorney

SERIES LEVEL:

The Staff Attorney 1 is the first level in a two-level staff attorney 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.)

• Tracks legal developments to monitor compliance with applicable laws.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates ordinances, amendments, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, permits, licenses, and other legal instruments.
• Provides legal advice to City Council, Department Administrators, Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and City staff, and participates in the formulation of City policies.
• Reviews, interprets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, county, and city constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, court decisions, laws, and other legal entities.
• Prepares, reviews, and negotiates a variety of legal documents, offerings, and requests for information, which may include motions; pleadings; memorandums; immunity agreements; defense claims; legal opinions; petitions; special actions; briefs; subpoenas; contractual agreements; court coverage instructions; and related activities.
• Represents the City, its officers, and employees in all litigation, including preparation of dockets, anticipating defense, presenting evidence, developing case theory, pleadings, briefs, motions, and other documents, preparation and trial of legal matters, and handling of appeals; and appears before all Federal and State courts and administrative agencies. Assists in the collection of debts and damages due to the City.
• Assists in the enforcement of City ordinances and codes and City traffic regulations; participates in coordinating and facilitating related prosecution activities.
• Monitors the status of cases for the filing of legal papers and payment of civil penalties.
• Provides legal counsel to the City department(s) regarding applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, and laws. Attend department meetings to communicate and obtain information.
• Conducts public hearings and coordinates public comment period.
• Responds orally and in writing to complaints, public comments, and inquiries from the general public.
• Reviews Local ordinances, State codes, Federal laws and statutes, and the U.S. Constitution to resolve legal issues.
• Prepares correspondence, memos, briefings, management reports, and other documents.
• Coordinates filing of legal advertisements with the County Clerk, newspapers, and others.
• Serves as custodian for ordinances, Board minutes, docket files, and other legal documents.
• 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:

Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university; five (5) years of practicing civil law strongly preferred.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Driver’s License
Licensure to practice law in the State of Tennessee, admission to Tennessee and Federal courts, and good standing with the Tennessee Supreme Court are required. Must hold a license to practice in state and federal courts in Tennessee and possess a strong working knowledge of Tennessee and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Operations, services, and activities of a City Attorney’s office; duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of a City Attorney; applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and/or statutes; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; methods and techniques used in the review and settlement of lawsuits; methods and techniques of prosecuting violations of municipal codes; caseload management techniques; legal research methods; principles of civil, constitutional, and administrative law; principles and procedures of municipal, superior, and appellate court proceedings; drafting and negotiating contracts; organization, functions and legal limitations on authority of various City departments; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.

Ability to provide responsible assistance to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney; research, analyze, and apply case law, legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems. Ability to analyze situations and offer legal advice and counsel. Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; draft legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, and contracts; draft clear and effective policies, memoranda, opinions, and correspondence; interpret, explain, and enforce department and/or City policies and procedures; prepare and try cases in federal, state, and municipal court, and in administrative law forums; draft effective and persuasive legal pleadings and responses to legal pleadings; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand and follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and members of the public.

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. May work irregular hours, including evenings.

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.

KJS 10.28.2026

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, highlighted by our Work For America - Spotlight. 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.