Now Hiring – Part Time Parks Laborer

The City is now hiring a Part-Time Public Works Laborer. This is a part-time, year-round position. The Part Time Parks Laborer performs regular and recurring maintenance, installation, and repair work of city parks, using any of the equipment authorized and available.

For a complete job description and application instructions, click here.

The position is open until March 28,2025.

Now Hiring – Public Works Utility Worker

The City is now hiring a Public Works Utility Worker. The Utility Worker serves as member the City’s public works crew and performs a wide variety of jobs involving heavy equipment operation and maintenance for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, streets, parks, city property and building maintenance, development inspections, meter reading and repair, and vehicle and equipment repair.  The utility worker also responds to emergencies and helps respond to complaints, questions, or other matters.

For a complete job description and application instructions, click here.

The position is open until March 28, 2025.

Equity Advisory Committee Vacancy

The City currently has an opening on the Equity Advisory Committee (EAC). The EAC is an advisory board charged with examining issues of diversity and promoting solutions to the City that help us embrace our diverse community and create a more fair and just future for Ferndale.

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of even months (February, April, June, August, October, December) at 5:00 p.m. All meetings are hybrid, with the option of attending in person at City Hall or remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Members shall be appointed upon the basis of demonstrated interest in, and knowledge and support of equity and diversity. Members of the public who have resided in the Ferndale School District boundary for at least one year are eligible to serve on the Committee.

To apply, please complete an application and send it to City Clerk Susan Duncan, susanduncan@cityofferndale.org. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025.

 

Potential Quorum Notice – State Auditor’s Exit Conference March 12, 2025

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30), notice is hereby given that a quorum of Ferndale City Councilmembers may be in attendance at the following event:

State Auditor’s Exit Conference

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 11:00 a.m.

City Hall Main Conference Room, 2095 Main Street, Ferndale WA

The purpose of this meeting is to allow state auditors to share their preliminary results of the accountability audit of the City of Ferndale for the fiscal year 2023. This is an open public meeting as outlined by the Open Public Meetings Act, and members of the public are invited to attend and observe.

 

 

Now Hiring – Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Worker/Operator in Training OR Operator

The City is now hiring a Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance  Worker/Operator in Training (OIT) OR Operator.

The Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Worker & Operator-in-Training (OIT) performs a wide variety of water and wastewater treatment plant, water distribution and pump station, wastewater collection, pump and lift station, and reservoir operations, maintenance and repairs. The work includes computer operations, lab tests, process controls, and troubleshooting plant and/or systems to ensure proper operation; however, the emphasis is on maintenance, and the ideal candidate will have a strong background in maintenance.  The position works under Washington State regulations and procedures for water/wastewater treatment, serves as a utility worker as needed, and responds to complaints, questions, or other matters. Applicants who are Certified Operators in Water and Wastewater are eligible to apply for the Operator position, rather than Operator in Training.

For a complete job description and application instructions, click here.

City Launches New Public Records Request Portal

Public Records Requests will now be submitted through NextRequest! The City of Ferndale’s new public records portal, NextRequest, allows anyone to submit a request, correspond with public records staff, and track requests online. The portal also allows users to search for published public records requests and documents. Access the portal here.

Now Hiring – Chief of Police

The City of Ferndale is seeking an experienced law enforcement professional with outstanding leadership skills to serve as Chief of Police. The position is open until February 10, 2025. For further information and application instructions, click here.

Questions? Please contact Bryan Jeter, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).

Email: bjeter@waspc.org      Phone: 253-677-8576

Please do not contact City employees or elected officials. Direct all questions about this position to Bryan Jeter.

Now Hiring - Chief of Police

Request for Qualifications – Attorney Representation for Indigent Defendants (Public Defense)

The City of Ferndale provides publicly funded attorney representation to indigent defendants with a right to counsel at City expense.

The City of Ferndale currently has one Public Defender who fills the position at 100% of a full-time caseload, or approximately 260 cases per year, and is seeking one position at 50% of a full-time caseload, or approximately 130 cases per year, pro-rated based on the contract’s start date.  Alternative divisions of caseload and/or number of positions may be considered in order to achieve 1.5 total positions. The City anticipates that one or both contracts will be extended for multiple years, and that the half-time position may increase over time with overall City case volume.

Annual compensation for a full-time caseload ranges from $120,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on experience.  Half-time contracts are pro-rated based on the percentage of the full-time caseload, beginning at $60,000.  Contractors are responsible for all overhead such as support staff, rent, and other costs of doing business.  If interested, follow the application procedures below.

Minimum Qualifications

A qualified applicant must:

  • Be a licensed member of good standing with the Washington State Bar
  • Meet Washington State Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense 14.3
  • Demonstrate a commitment to indigent defense
  • Possess experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention in their lives, and a willingness to challenge the City on issues of bias and prejudice.
  • Provide representation with energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to trauma-informed, anti-racist, intersectional, non-judgmental advocacy throughout the case
  • Be responsive to and communicate clearly with clients who are often under great stress

Preferred Qualifications

The City will prefer applicants who:

  • Reside or work in Whatcom County, or have the ability to attend Ferndale Municipal Court in person on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
  • Have the capacity to support additional caseload and compensation to reflect anticipated State caseload limitations.

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, a resume, and a writing sample.

Letters of interest should describe the applicant’s current contracts for public defense or other representation as well as existing caseload, specifying the number and type of cases currently carried, including private practice commitments, if any.

Email Materials to:

Susan Duncan, Administrative Services Director:  susanduncan@cityofferndale.org

Please address any questions to Susan Duncan at the above email address.

The City of Ferndale reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants. This Request for Qualifications does not obligate the City of Ferndale to contract for the services specified here.