Flood Initiatives Projects Manager

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.

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.

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)

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