Engineer-In-Training/Engineer I

Build the future of your community while launching your engineering career! As an Engineer-in-Training/Engineer I with the City of Bellingham, you’ll dive into exciting public works and development projects, collaborate across Capital and Development divisions, and help shape the infrastructure that keeps the City moving forward. 

The Engineer-in-Training/Engineer I is responsible for performing professional level engineering work activities and analysis. These positions support a variety of capital improvement and private development projects and public works construction. Performs or assists in performing the review of designs and plans, gathering and compiling data, tracking and coordinating projects and resolving complaints. Reviews proposals and plans for compliance with federal, state, local and City regulations and codes. Performs technically complex research and makes decisions regarding methodologies that will be used for analysis. This position may periodically rotate among assignments in the Capital and Development divisions.

SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:

The full salary ranges for each position are:

• Engineer-in-Training:  $7,214 - $8,739 per month
• Engineer I: $8,352 - $10,117 per month

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

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. 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 bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications.

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. 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.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours of sick leave 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 (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. 06/22/26, 8:30 AM Pacific Time 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Independently performs a variety of professional engineering tasks within the framework of established policies and guidelines and sound engineering practices.
2. Prepares or assists in preparing engineering analyses for the effective planning of projects; performs research related to the financing, technology, environmental impact and legal issues of a program or project. 
3. Prepares plans, maps, exhibits, drawings, charts and graphs and provides technical data in support of projects.
4. Performs review of engineering plans, reports and calculations submitted by customers or consultants.  
5. Prepares or assists in preparing specifications for structures or projects requiring application of engineering knowledge. 
6. Plans or assists in planning, coordinating and monitoring work on uncomplicated capital or private development projects.  
7. Assists in preparing and evaluating Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) and Requests for Proposals (RFP).
8. Coordinates with construction inspectors in ensuring conformance with plans and specifications for Public Works projects.
9. Responds to inquiries, complaints, or requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public; provides information and resolves concerns regarding City requirements and processes.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Assists other department staff with the preparation of grant applications.
2. Performs other related work of a similar nature or level.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

Work is performed in an office setting with extensive work at a computer workstation and occasionally outdoors in all weather conditions on City streets and rights-of-ways, in close proximity to roadway traffic, noxious fumes, heavy equipment and occasionally in confined spaces with infrequent lifting of heavy objects. Some travel to professional meetings is expected.

This job description documents the full range of duties for an Engineer-In-Training/Engineer I at the City of Bellingham. Positions will be filled at the appropriate level based on requisite experience and training. 

Incumbents in the Engineer-In-Training position may receive a non-competitive promotion when they meet minimum experience and training requirements for the next level and demonstrate capability to perform the full range of functions independently under general supervision and guidance, provided adequate work and funding is available. 

Engineer-In-Training

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Engineer-In-Training certification within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in Auto CAD preferred. 
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered. 

Engineer I

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Professional Engineer’s license at time of hire required. Must obtain WA State PE License within 6 months of hire.
• Four (4) years of experience in the engineering field required. 
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered. 

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Applicant must submit a three-year driving record prior to hire.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accept schedule changes as necessary, and willingness to accept “call out” status for emergency situations.
• 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. 

**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 City’s 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 the week of July 13, 2026. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around July 6, 2026.
 
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.

Salary : $7,214 - $10,117