Development Manager-Engineering

The City of Bellingham is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Development Manager to lead long-range planning and permitting for our water, sewer, and stormwater systems. In this role within the Public Works Department, you'll guide high-impact projects and collaborate across departments and with the community to ensure smart, sustainable growth. If you're ready to influence how a city grows and thrivesthis is your opportunity.

The Development Manager manages utility planning and development services including long-range planning for sewer, water, and storm water utilities, development projects, and permit functions for the Public Works Department. Applies planning and engineering knowledge in developing and administering the Water System Plan, Wastewater System Plan, Surface and Storm Water Comprehensive Plan, and Comprehensive Facilities Plan. Provides or oversees the engineering, planning and development of land use contracts and provides support for the Permit Center. Supervises engineers, engineering technicians, and permit reviewers. Provides leadership and direction and ensures that customer service and technical standards are met, projects and programs are accomplished, and revenues and expenditures are within guidelines. Acts as liaison with other City departments, developers, and the public to ensure compliance with regulations and to foster positive working relationships. Participates in the identification, analysis, and resolution of system needs and long-range planning.

The current full salary range for this position is $10,260/month - $12,472/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the 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 as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelors degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a masters degree in a related field when the masters degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

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. Heres a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can and

• 13.33 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 with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 06/30/25 8:30 AM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

1. Plans, organizes, coordinates, assigns, and evaluates the work of professional and technical staff in the Development Division. Provides technical assistance, guidance and training as needed. Works collaboratively to resolve issues between developers or consultants and City staff.
2. Develops, plans, and oversees implementation of long-range comprehensive planning programs for the Citys water utility, sanitary sewer utility, and surface and storm water utility systems.
3. Participates in the development and administration of the Comprehensive Plan, including: utility long-range plans, six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), Public Works Capital Plans, Level of Service Standards, Impact Fee Programs, Transportation Concurrency Management Program, traffic safety studies, and Traffic Impact Analysis reports.
4. Participates in development of Natural Resources plans and documents for surface and stormwater utility activity, critical areas (e.g., wetlands), habitat restoration, and mitigation efforts.
5. Oversees the review of development applications for conformance with long-range and six-year plans, regulatory requirements, and policy.
6. Effectively participates in public meetings, City Council meetings, and assists in developing budgets for the programs.
7. Represents the Department and City in regional planning efforts for utility systems.
8. Serves as City contact for work involving developer extension of street, water, or sewer projects. Participates in pre-application meetings with developers, provides plan review comments, drafts public facilities contracts, and provides procedural information to developers and/or engineers.
9. Coordinates the organization, staffing and operational activities of the Public Works permitting staff at the Permit Center. Exercises direct supervision over technical staff. Acts as PW representative for private development with other City departments, including Planning and Community Development, Parks and Recreation, and Fire.
10. Oversees and coordinates selecting and managing consultants for development projects. Negotiates contracts, estimates costs, schedules and monitors work.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED :

1. Provides technical assistance and serves as technical resource to developers, City staff, consultants, contractors, and the public in matters relating to public infrastructure requirements for development. Responds to inquiries and complaints.
2. Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

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

• Frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone, and fax machine;
• Frequently remain stationary for long periods of time;
• Frequently communicate accurate information and ideas with others;
• Occasionally move between work sites;
• Occasionally traverse on uneven surfaces in all weather conditions, including at construction sites;
• Occasionally transport objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :
Work is primarily performed in an office environment with most of the time at a computer workstation. Requires attendance and participation in evening meetings, field work and site visits to locations, including urban undeveloped and developed areas and open space, underdeveloped land parcels, and project development sites. Travels to seminars and meetings as needed. This is a sedentary position with minimal physical exertion requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, planning or transportation-related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience related to long-range planning, utility system improvements, operations, maintenance, and replacement, private development projects, and public works projects.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in Washington State and/or certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred.

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 (see Fair Hiring Practices below) .

• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the Citys commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for July 14, 2025. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around July 7, 2025.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.