Flood Initiatives Projects Manager

Whatcom County, WA; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

PTO & holidays

Public pension (PERS)

Life Insurance

FSA

Job summary

The Whatcom County Public Works Department seeks an accomplished Flood Initiatives Projects Manager to transform long-range flood resilience strategies into completed infrastructure projects that protect lives, property, agriculture, transportation systems, and Tribal resources. You will work with Tribal governments, agencies, consultants, and the community to move projects from concept to construction.

As a senior leader, you will oversee permitting, funding, land acquisition, and construction

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Engineering Geology, or related field with five years of progressively responsible experience.
• Three years of leadership directing staff, programs, multidisciplinary teams, or organizational initiatives.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred and will be given special consideration.
• Certifications such as PMP, CFM, LEG, CCM are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Flood Initiatives Projects to transform flood resilience strategies into implemented infrastructure projects.
• Oversee complex flood mitigation and floodplain restoration projects across the Nooksack River watershed.
• Coordinate with multiple County departments, Tribal governments, agencies, consultants, and stakeholders to maintain project momentum.
• Navigate permitting, environmental reviews, land acquisition, procurement, and construction through to successful completion.
• Communicate technical information to the public and elected officials and resolve day-to-day project issues.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Public communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering or Engineering Geology

PE license preferred

Job description

Whatcom County Public Works Department is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and results-oriented manager to serve as our Flood Initiatives Projects Manager. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in one of the County's highest-priority initiatives by transforming long-range flood resilience strategies into completed infrastructure projects that protect lives, property, agriculture, transportation systems, and Tribal resources, and enhances the natural environment.

Flood resilience is among the most important long-term challenges facing Whatcom County. This position provides a rare opportunity to influence the future of the Nooksack River watershed by leading projects that reduce flood risk, protect communities, preserve critical infrastructure, support agriculture, restore habitat, and strengthen partnerships across governments and organizations.

The successful candidate will oversee the implementation of complex flood mitigation and floodplain restoration capital projects throughout the Nooksack River watershed, guiding projects from initial concept through planning, design, environmental review, permitting, funding, land acquisition, procurement, construction, and successful completion.

This position is not simply about managing projects, it is about delivering measurable outcomes. Success will be defined by your ability to move critical flood mitigation projects from planning documents into construction and operation, creating lasting improvements in community resilience and reducing flood risk throughout Whatcom County.

Your work will leave a lasting legacy through projects that improve public safety, enhance environmental stewardship, and build a more resilient future for generations to come.

Position Summary

As the Flood Initiatives Projects Manager, you will provide the leadership necessary to advance some of the County's most technically challenging and politically significant public infrastructure projects.

Working across multiple County departments and in collaboration with Tribal governments, regulatory agencies, elected officials, consultants, contractors, property owners, agricultural stakeholders, environmental organizations, and community partners, you will work as part of a team to remove barriers, coordinate decision-making, secure approvals, and ensure projects maintain momentum toward implementation.

This position will work closely with the County's existing Flood Planning and Mitigation team to translate flood priorities into successful on-the-ground projects. This is an implementation-focused position for an experienced project manager who knows how to move complex public infrastructure and environmental projects forward. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, navigating permitting and regulatory processes, coordinating technical and environmental work, managing consultants and contractors, communicating complex technical information to the general public and elected officials, and resolving day-to-day issues that can prevent projects from advancing.

Minimum Qualifications/Experience & Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Engineering Geology, Professional Project Management, Capital Project Management, or a related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience leading complex programs, strategic initiatives, capital implementations, or comparable enterprise-level assignments as well as three (3) years of leadership experience directing staff, programs, projects, multidisciplinary teams, or organizational initiatives.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position may be considered. Experience may substitute for education and education may substitute for experience when appropriate. Substitution does not apply where a specific degree, license, or certification is required by law, regulation, or professional standards.

A Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred and will be given special consideration.

Additional consideration will be given to candidates holding one or more of the following:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
• Licensed Engineering Geologist (LEG)
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

Desired Experience

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success managing complex infrastructure or environmental projects involving multiple jurisdictions and regulatory agencies.

Particular value will be placed on demonstrated experience in the following:

• River engineering and sediment management
• River and habitat restoration
• Floodplain management
• Environmental restoration
• Natural resource management

Ideal candidates will also possess experience with:

• Environmental permitting
• Wetlands and habitat restoration
• Property acquisition
• Easements and rights-of-way
• Grant management and compliance
• Public Works procurement
• Consultant management
• Construction oversight
• Project scheduling
• Budget management
• Intergovernmental coordination

Experience presenting recommendations to executive leadership, elected officials, commissions, boards, and public audiences is highly desirable.

Desired Knowledge

The successful candidate will possess strong knowledge of:

• Capital project delivery
• Public infrastructure development
• Environmental permitting
• Floodplain management
• Watershed processes
• River restoration
• Public procurement
• Project management methodologies
• Grant funding
• Infrastructure financing
• Performance measurement

Preferred knowledge includes

• Nooksack River hydrology and geomorphology
• Floodplain dynamics
• Sediment transport
• Flood storage concepts
• Levee and berm systems
• Habitat restoration
• Salmon recovery
• Agricultural interests
• Tribal treaty rights
• County government operations
• State and federal environmental regulations
• Intergovernmental collaboration
• Consensus building

Knowledge of the Nooksack Integrated Floodplain Action Plan and regional flood resilience initiatives is highly desirable.

Candidates must authorize and successfully complete a background check prior to employment.

Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that meets County standards at the time of hire and throughout employment.

Distinguish yourself in public service and make a commitment to our future.

Whatcom County, WA is truly special and a great place to call home!

Position is Open Until Filled

For more information about this position, please review the following:

• Job Description
• Floodplain Management Webpage
• Recruitment Brochure

Supervisor: Director, Public Works

Salary Range: Unrepresented - Range 11, $8,093.00 - $11,751.00 per month DOQ

Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (approximately 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).

We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. As a public entity, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals.

Working Conditions

• Office and field work throughout Whatcom County, including participation in storm response
• Attendance at public meetings and stakeholder workshops
• Evening or weekend meetings
• Travel within and occasionally outside the County
• Regular interaction with diverse stakeholders and members of the public
• The position requires occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds and adherence to all County safety policies and procedures.

Benefits

Whatcom County offers excellent benefits at no cost to employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and 12 paid holidays annually. Prior related public service considered for setting accrual rate. Accrue up to 330 hours of PTO annually. Cash-out up to 40 hours over 330 maximum annually.
• Lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Retirement with County match
• $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for health care and/or dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional benefit information

Subject to satisfactory performance this position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (approximately 3.8%), in addition to any approved Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).