Director Legislative Affairs

City of Chattanooga•Chattanooga, TN

2d•$95,376 - $115,225•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Legislative Affairs serves as a senior advisor and operational lead for the Chattanooga City Council’s legislative functions. The role is responsible for policy research and development, legislative process coordination, and stakeholder engagement to help the Council operate with clarity, efficiency, and accountability. The Director works with Council members, city departments, and the public to advance legislative priorities and provide responsive, ethical public service to Chattanooga residents. This is a stand-alone classification in the City Council department. The position is based at City Hall, 101 East 11th Street, and is an exempt role. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, although hours may vary due to assignments or projects. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to attend community meetings and Council events. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Urban Planning, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; 3–5 years of relevant experience; and a valid driver’s license. A background check is required before employment. The City describes its employee offerings as including competitive compensation, generous paid time off, flexible scheduling where possible, comprehensive health benefits, wellness programs, a centralized health clinic and pharmacy, and professional development and advancement opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Urban Planning, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3–5 years of experience in policy research, government affairs, legislative processes, or community relations.
Valid driver’s license.
Strong understanding of local governance, policy development, and legislative procedures.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
Professionalism, discretion, courtesy, and accuracy.
Strong research, analytical, strategic planning, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to engage diverse communities and foster strong constituent relationships, including with elected officials.
Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Proficiency in Google Workspace.
Commitment to ethical public service and a passion for improving Chattanooga’s communities.
Ability to perform the job’s essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
Ability to meet regular attendance requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in municipal government or with elected officials is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Research, analyze, and draft policy proposals, ordinances, and resolutions aligned with Council priorities.
Monitor local, state, and federal legislative actions and assess their impact on Chattanooga.
Provide policy briefings, reports, and recommendations to City Council members.
Collaborate with community stakeholders, city departments, and policy experts to develop informed legislative strategies.
Maintain clear communication among the Council office, the administration and its leadership, and the public regarding legislative matters.
Support the development and implementation of Council legislative processes, including committee coordination and legislative tracking.
Support Council members in addressing community affairs.
Assist with Council-related constituent services.
Accompany and represent City Council members at meetings as needed for legislative and community matters.
Prepare policy-related reports, briefing materials, press releases, social media updates, and informational materials for policy initiatives and Council community affairs activities.
Ensure compliance with city policies, ethics guidelines, and open government regulations.
Work with city departments and agencies on behalf of Council members to facilitate collaboration, gather information, and ensure policy implementation aligns with Council directives.
Meet regular attendance requirements, maintain good interpersonal relationships, and accomplish essential functions in a timely manner, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Perform other related duties as assigned.