Employment Opportunities at Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga State Community College hires across academic departments, administrative functions, and facilities operations year-round, with openings typically posted through the college's official employment portal rather than through a single consolidated listing. Understanding the institution's hiring patterns, application process, and role categories will help you identify whether positions align with your professional background.

The Institution and Its Hiring Scale

Chattanooga State, located on a main campus in East Brainerd and with satellite facilities serving the greater Chattanooga region, employs approximately 800 full-time and part-time staff members. The college operates under the Tennessee Board of Regents system, which means hiring follows state civil service protocols and budget cycles tied to fiscal years (July 1 to June 30). Budget allocations directly affect the volume and timing of job postings. Spring and early summer typically see more openings as departments finalize staffing for the following academic year, while mid-fiscal-year postings usually reflect unexpected departures or newly funded grants.

The college's three primary employment categories are instructional faculty (full-time and adjunct), professional and technical staff, and classified support personnel. Each follows different screening timelines and credential requirements.

Faculty and Instructional Positions

Chattanooga State recruits instructors for programs including nursing, engineering technology, manufacturing, information technology, business, and liberal arts. Full-time faculty positions require a master's degree or equivalent for most disciplines, though technical fields sometimes accept bachelor's degrees with relevant professional certification. The college emphasizes applicants with both academic credentials and industry experience; a nursing instructor, for example, is expected to hold a master's degree in nursing or education plus current RN licensure and documented clinical practice.

Full-time faculty positions are advertised 8 to 10 weeks before the intended start date, typically in March and April for fall semester roles. The review process includes a screening committee, phone interview, and on-campus interview with department faculty and administrators. This cycle typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from application deadline to offer.

Adjunct teaching roles, which represent a growing share of instructional staffing, are posted with shorter lead times, sometimes 2 to 4 weeks before the course begins. These positions pay per credit hour (compensation varies by discipline and degree held, with rates typically ranging from $400 to $650 per credit hour for associate degree holders and higher for advanced credentials). Adjunct hiring is more flexible and ongoing throughout the year as enrollment demands shift across semesters.

Administrative and Professional Roles

The college's administrative functions span enrollment management, financial aid, student services, academic advising, institutional research, human resources, and grant management. These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and 2 to 5 years of related experience. A financial aid advisor role, for example, expects familiarity with FAFSA processing and Title IV regulations. A grants coordinator should demonstrate experience writing proposals or managing grant budgets.

Professional positions in information technology are in constant demand. The college maintains classroom technology infrastructure, learning management systems (currently Canvas), cybersecurity protocols, and administrative software systems. IT positions range from help desk technician (associate degree or certification sufficient) to systems administrator (bachelor's degree or equivalent experience expected). These roles often have lower applicant pools relative to openings, resulting in faster hiring timelines, sometimes 4 to 6 weeks from application to offer.

Marketing and communications roles are less frequently posted but appear when positions open in the Communications and Marketing Department. These typically ask for bachelor's degrees in related fields and a portfolio demonstrating design, copywriting, or social media management skills.

Support and Classified Positions

Classified positions include receptionists, administrative assistants, maintenance workers, custodial staff, and groundskeeping personnel. These roles require a high school diploma or GED and may require specific certifications (HVAC technician licenses, commercial driver's licenses for grounds equipment, etc.). Starting wages for support positions typically begin around $28,000 to $32,000 annually, depending on classification level and whether the role is full-time or part-time. These positions are often filled quickly, sometimes within 2 to 3 weeks, because the candidate pools are larger.

Application Process and Timelines

All positions are posted on the college's human resources website, not through external job boards. Applications require submission through the institution's online portal, which typically captures a resume, cover letter, and responses to specific position-based questions. Some instructional and professional roles request a statement addressing your teaching philosophy or approach to student success.

Background checks are standard for all full-time positions. Faculty and staff working in certain capacities (those with access to student records or direct student contact) also undergo fingerprinting and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation clearance. This process adds 2 to 3 weeks to the overall hiring timeline after an offer is extended.

Reference checks typically involve three professional references and are conducted after a final interview. Expect the college to contact references directly; some candidates have experienced delays when references are slow to respond.

Credential and Experience Considerations

Chattanooga State prioritizes teaching effectiveness and student outcomes, which means instructional candidates are often evaluated on demonstrated ability to explain complex material and engage diverse learners. For nursing and health sciences faculty, current certifications and clinical hours matter as much as the degree itself. For technical fields like manufacturing or HVAC technology, instructors are frequently recruited from industry and then supported through pedagogical training if they lack formal teaching experience.

Professional staff hiring committees consider both technical competence and fit with the college's mission of access and affordability. Candidates who can articulate how they've worked with underserved or nontraditional student populations often stand out.

Salary and Benefits Structure

Full-time faculty salaries are published on the state salary schedule and vary by rank (instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor) and years of service. Starting instructor salaries typically range from $45,000 to $55,000, depending on discipline and credentials. Professional and classified staff salaries follow the state pay grade system and are non-negotiable within that framework, though hiring into a higher grade level is sometimes possible for candidates with extensive experience.

All full-time employees receive health insurance, retirement contributions through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), and paid leave. Part-time faculty and adjuncts do not receive benefits.

Practical Takeaway

Start by visiting the college's human resources employment page directly, not by searching job aggregator sites, because Chattanooga State positions may not sync immediately with external platforms. If you are applying for faculty or professional roles, plan for a 3 to 4 month timeline from application to hire. For support positions, expect faster turnaround but apply promptly once posted. Tailor your cover letter to the specific program or department, referencing the college's regional focus and mission; generic applications are less competitive.