Permit Clerk

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. A 

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: $18.09 -$21.85 per hour (GS.5)

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location:1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 

FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.

Department: Public Works

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for evaluating, issuing, processing, and maintaining all electrical, gas, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC), permits; evaluation, verification of credentials, issuance, renewal, and maintenance of electrical, mechanical, gas, and plumbing licenses of varying skill and credential levels. 

SERIES LEVEL: 

The Permit Clerk 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.)

Receives, reviews, and processes a variety of applications for permitting and licensing.

Performs a variety of administrative activities in support of departmental operations, which may include: responding to requests for information; explaining processes by phone or in person; taking phone calls about our permits and licenses, assisting citizens with: IT guidance, supplying contact information for inspectors, accepting paper plans, accepting payments, assessing and processing permits and licensing; coordinating the review of applications with internal departments; scheduling pre-submittal meetings  and/or, performing other related activities.

Assesses licensure and skill according to City of Chattanooga local ordinances and State of TN statutes to process permitting and licensing, billings.

Evaluates and verifies contractor licenses according to state guidelines and local ordinances.

Enters and maintains a variety of information related to permitting, inspection, construction plans and licensing activities in applicable databases, including licensed contractor information.

Prepares bank deposits, compiles financial reports and spreadsheets, reconciles applicable accounts, creates receivable transactions and maintains related files.

Coordination with CDOT to assess street cut and utility street cut permits. (This is only done by 2 of 5 employees under the same classification – should be separate titles)

Prepares and processes a variety of correspondence in support of departmental operations and activities.

Prepares and submits advertisements or notices for publication in the newspaper in accordance with applicable laws, codes, and ordinances.

Coordinates activities associated with applicable public and/or staff meetings, which includes: preparing meeting agendas, memorandums, and/or other related documents and materials; notifying individuals and groups of meeting dates and schedules; coordinating and preparing meeting rooms; transcribing and disseminating meeting minutes; preparing and updating meeting calendars; and/or, performing other related activities. 

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.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Associates Degree, and one year of directly related experience.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Notary Public

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of (this is just as citizen facing as any other position in the office) modern office etiquette; modern office equipment; basic mathematical concepts; and, modern office procedures.

Skills in: office professionalism; using a computer and related software applications; keyboarding; performing basic mathematical calculations; preparing routine reports; operating modern office equipment; oral and written communication  and, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to effectively exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Positions in this class typically require: reaching, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions keyboarding.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

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 encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 3.26.25

KJF