Therapeutic Recreation 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.  

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.

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: $17.74 - $21.43 (GS.5)

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, Hours vary; nights and weekends are included at times due to programs and events.
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: 1102 South Watkins Street, Chattanooga, TN

FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.

Department: Parks & Outdoors

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for instructing and participating in daily leisure and recreation activities for individuals with a variety of disabilities and their families including children and adults. Duties include coaching and/or officiating sporting events; organizing and leading outdoor activities; conducting administrative tasks such as creating program attendance reports, reserving facilities and creating marketing materials; assisting with researching, grant writing and budget developing activities for new programs and serving on City committees and attending local neighborhood meetings as a representative of the City; may maintain vehicles for program transportation; may collect fees for programs or facilities usage and may train and oversee volunteer staff. Work is performed with moderate supervision.

SERIES LEVEL: The Recreation Specialist 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.)

Assists in planning, preparing, coordinating and facilitating a wide variety of recreational events, classes and/or activities for special populations which may include supervising patrons; recruiting volunteers; reserving facilities and/or transportation; procuring supplies; scheduling events, classes and/or activities; developing promotional and marketing materials; preparing rosters; setting up sites; monitoring events and/or performing other related activities.

Performs tasks related to routine day-to-day operations including inventory maintenance activities and monitoring sites and facilities for potential safety hazards.

Responds to requests for information or complaints over the phone and in person regarding recreation programs, processes, procedures, events and/or activities.

Serves as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders such as program participants, sponsors and the community.

Performs routine clerical work.

Registers participants for programs, events and/or classes; receives and processes applications and fees; maintains related records and information.

Participates in/on a variety of meetings, committees and/or other related groups in order to receive and convey information.

May be required to use, carry and answer their cell phone as determined by their job duties and the department head.

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:

Three (3) years of any combination of relevant education, training or experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the job will be considered; or any combination of equivalent experience and education.  

Experience working with individuals with a variety of disabilities is preferred.

Examples of relevant experience include recreation programming work and outdoor recreation program facilitation. Experience includes working with children and/or adults in a variety of settings, recreation, therapy (or related field), and working with special populations and/or individuals with a variety of disabilities.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Ability to obtain First Aid/CPR Certification or certifications specific to area of assignment
Valid Driver’s License required

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of basic recreation operations in assigned areas of responsibility; record keeping methods and procedures; customer service principles; modern office procedures and inventory maintenance principles.

Skill in providing customer service; using a computer and related software applications; maintaining records; operating modern office equipment; monitoring and maintaining inventory; communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, 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. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, extreme temperatures and intense noises.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

This position requires a pre-employment background check, and a new hire physical with a lift test and drug screen.  

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 3.27.25

KJF