About this role
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: $18.09- $21.85 per hour (GS.5)
Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments, or projects.*
Work Location: 101 East 11th Street, Chattanooga, TN
FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.
Department: Finance
CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for performing more complex duties than an Accounts Payable Specialist 1, such as resolving complex payment problems, preparing reports and assisting with the training of new specialists. Responsibilities include the preparation and/or processing of the computerized payment files and paperwork necessary to make payments for goods & services purchased by all Chattanooga City departments, the City’s Wastewater Utility, and associated entities such as the Industrial Development Board and the Sports Authority. This position is within the City’s Finance Department and is the central Accounts Payable division for the City. All invoices for the City flow through this division prior to payment. Each invoice is verified as to validity within a complex framework that includes verification of preparatory work done by personnel in other departments. This preparatory work includes computerized financial system receipts whereby department personnel certify the receipt of goods and services and is a prerequisite to invoice payment. Work closely with the Accounts Payable Supervisor and under limited supervision.
SERIES LEVEL:
The Accounts Payable Specialist 2 is the second level of a three-level accounting support 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.)
Provide guidance and training of the accounts payable processes and procedures to junior-level staff and personnel of other departments, including Accounting Technician 2’s at the City’s Wastewater Utility, Fiscal Analysts, Executive Assistants, Administrative Support Specialist, Accounting Technician 1 & 2, Fiscal Technician, Inventory Technician, and Administrative Support Assistant 1 & 2.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex payment discrepancies and processing issues.
Set up vendor accounts, maintain vendor records, and handle payment cancellations and re-issues.
Manage check run processing, scheduling, and dissemination.
Ability to void and reissue checks.
Serve as liaison between vendors and internal departments to resolve payment issues.
Process construction payments.
Analyze expenditure patterns to ensure compliance with City and State purchasing laws.
Assist in maintaining financial reports and reconciling accounts for accuracy.
Monitor departmental compliance with commodity contracts and purchasing policies.
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.
Perform other duties as assigned.
DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years of relevant experience, or training sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This is a career ladder position. This position will receive an automatic progression to Accounts Payable Specialist 3 when the incumbent has achieved the required minimum qualifications and licenses/certifications for the next position in the series.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
None
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
A deeper knowledge of governmental accounting practices and bookkeeping procedures for municipal finance. Ability to apply local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations in more complex situations. Must be able to provide feedback regarding account research and discrepancy resolutions.
Skill in prioritizing tasks, managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and delegating work to others. Often responsible for overseeing and guiding Accounts Payable Specialist 1 staff. Must be able to investigate and resolve complex financial discrepancies, reconcile accounts with greater accuracy and efficiency, and handle vendor relations and ensure timely payments. Prepares and analyzes reports, schedules and financial documents related to accounts payable functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require reaching, 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.
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.
KNV 6/30/2025
KJF