Public Works Director

GMP Consultants is assisting the City of Bellingham with this search. Learn more and apply at gmphr.com.  The first review is on April 27, 2025.

The City of Bellingham Public Works Director provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight to the Public Works department and employees. Develops and implements programs and policies that support the City’s goals, enhance organizational effectiveness, foster a positive work environment and contribute to the City’s long-term successes and financial sustainability. Work involves significant community engagement and public involvement with elected officials, other policy makers, and residents. Engages and collaborates with local, state, federal agencies and tribal nations. Serves as a member of the City’s senior management team, collaborates with the Executive Department, City Council and other City departments on strategy and policy to ensure that the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services. Actively contributes to an inclusive City government. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The current full salary range for this position is $14,802/month - $17,911/month. Employees receive step increases bi-annually in accordance with the E-Team Handbook and City policy.

 

Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 20 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan up to 3% with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Leadership: Serves as a member of the City’s senior Leadership team. Participates in organization-wide strategic planning and coordinates the Public Works Department's activities with other City departments and offices to ensure alignment with the City’s critical objectives vision and values. Provides program and project support to other departments to help the City deliver great government.
2. Public Works Management: Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the work of the Public Works Department. Oversees departmental programs and services including City infrastructure, enterprise utilities, and transportation systems including: potable water source protection, water rights, supply management, storage, production and distribution; surface and storm water conveyance, habitat restoration and aquatic resources; wastewater collection, treatment and resource recovery; transportation systems including planning, streets, operations, street lighting, parking, and traffic control; radio communications for City departments and other agencies; solid waste programs and environmental remediation; the engineering and project work associated with these systems; major buildings and facilities maintenance and capital; real estate acquisition, property management and commercial leasing; internal services programs for all City departments in the areas of fleet, warehouse and Geographic Information Systems; and municipal fiber network and various other related activities.
3. Strategic Planning: Works with advisory boards, residents, elected officials and other agencies to develop long-range plans for infrastructure development and environmental protection enhancing the public health, livability, and economic wellbeing of the community. Oversees the preparation and update of short- and long-range strategic plans in all areas of responsibility to ensure harmony with the City's overall plans and strategies and to comply with federal and State mandates.  Develops and implements long term future strategies for the department including voter approved levies or bonds. 
4. Policy Development: Develops, recommends, implements and oversees the administration of Public Works policies and guidelines. Maintains currency of policy and practice with the organizational needs of the City and with applicable federal and State laws and City Charter.
5. Personnel Management: Develops and maintains a workforce committed to, and with highly developed competencies in, customer service, results orientation, and teamwork. Directly or through managers, appoints, supervises, provides for training, development, performance evaluation, and ensures accountability of department employees. Provides for the training in, promotion of, and accountability for, safe work practices and working conditions for employees. Ensures compliance with labor agreements and Department policies, and State and federal laws and regulations.
6. Fiscal and Business Management: Ensures the financial well-being of the Department by establishing cost control measures and monitoring all fiscal operations of the Department. Prepares annual budget and justifies budget requests and amendments. Projects and procures revenues and funding for the work of the Department, including management of enterprise funds and accessing federal and State funding sources. Ensures the efficient and economical use of departmental funds, labor, materials, facilities and time. 
7. Public Involvement and Communications: Oversees planning and presentation of public involvement programs for neighborhoods, businesses, and other community groups ensuring an inclusive communication strategy. Provides for staff support of the Transportation Commission, the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board, the Whatcom County Solid Waste Executive and Advisory Committees, and other public works-related resident groups and ad hoc committees coordinating work plans and staff assignments to facilitate efficient and meaningful public involvement and policy direction. Provides for City-wide communication programs to disseminate information on Public Works projects and processes.

Additional Work Performed:

1. Other duties as assigned by the Mayor.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is primarily performed in an office setting subject to frequent interruptions with extensive work at a computer workstation and site visits to various City and community facilities. Field visits to active construction project sites often in inclement weather conditions, with muddy or icy conditions and uneven terrain. May be exposed to highly stressful situations and individuals who are irate or hostile; may be subject to long hours due to attendance at City Council and Committee meetings and other responsibilities required at this executive level. Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours and occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions required. Requires ability to respond to emergencies at all hours. Work requires frequent exposure to and engagement with media outlets. 

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

• Independently access active construction projects and traverse uneven terrain including a mix of sand, gravel, pebbles, rocks and brush; 
• Frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone, and fax machine;
• Frequently communicate accurate information and ideas with others;
• Occasionally move between work sites;
• Occasionally ascend and descend ladders.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering or related field. 
• Seven years progressively responsible municipal management experience including five years in a senior management position in a community of similar size and/or service level. 
• Preferred qualifications include:

• State of Washington Professional Engineer license.
• Master’s degree in public administration, business or related field.
• A significant record of responsibility for strategic planning, general fiscal management, and capital budget management.
• Experience in a community with active public involvement 
• Effective work with elected officials, advisory boards, community and environmental groups.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in programs and processes.
• Proven track record of collaboration and engagement with internal and external customers

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skill and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered. 

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.

GMP Consultants is assisting the City of Bellingham with this search. Learn more and apply at gmphr.com.  The first review is on April 27, 2025.

The City of Bellingham is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity and inclusion are crucial to their success. They seek to recruit the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool and strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Salary : $177,624 - $214,932