City Administrator in Bonney Lake, Washington at City of Bonney Lake

Apply by: December 8, 2026 (First Review, Open Until Filled)

The City of Bonney Lake seeks a collaborative and strategically focused, experienced municipal executive to serve as its next City Administrator. Appointed by the Mayor, the City Administrator leads day-to-day operations across all city departments and carries out the policies set by the City Council.

General Purpose
Perform a high level of administrative, technical, supervisory and professional work in coordinating and administering the programs and services of the city government. Coordinate between the Mayor, City Council, governmental agencies and the community. Directs and coordinates the activities of the executive leadership team. Serve as the administrative head of the city and independently manage and direct city operations with ordinances and directives of the City Council.
The City Administrator is responsible to the mayor for the general coordination and supervision of the activities of the various city departments and offices, subject to the directives of the mayor. Responsible for promoting efficient and effective service delivery and to see that departments are coordinating their activities. Contribute to the City’s vision, mission, and goals in the performance of all job duties.

Supervision
Reports To: Works under the broad policy guidance and direction of the Mayor.
Supervises: Department Heads, Assistant to the City Administrator, Emergency Manager and other positions as assigned.
Essential Functions

• Advise the mayor on long-range planning, organizational policy matters, performance, and complex municipal issues with system-wide impact.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans; gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, report and provide recommendations; coordinate department activities with other departments and agencies.
• Oversee and supervise all departments, agencies, programs, and offices of the city to achieve goals and objectives within available resources.
• Act as a primary liaison for intergovernmental affairs, community outreach, and media relations on behalf of city operations. Assists the Mayor in communicating with federal, state, county and regional agencies.
• Collaborate with local businesses, agencies and government officials. Work cooperatively and creatively to promote a positive vision, assess needs, troubleshoot issues and recommend strategies.
• Provide opportunities for professional development for staff.
• Evaluate employee performance; conduct consistent staff and 1:1 check in meetings with direct reports.
• Delegate, review, and ensure timely completion of duties of assigned staff; inspect and evaluate work performed.
• Recruit, hire, train, recognize, promote, coach, mentor, develop, evaluate, and discipline the performance of assigned staff.
• Provide professional advice to the mayor, city council and department heads; makes presentations and recommendations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups, public agencies, and the general public.
• Communicate official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the general public.
• Ensure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; perform cost control activities; monitor revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepare annual budget requests; ensure effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
• Serve as the City’s Chief Contract Officer. Meet with representatives of agencies and outside entities and negotiates agreements between City, County, State and federal agencies, and private interests to best meet City needs.
• Help prepare City Council meeting agendas, attends council and board meetings as directed, and implements policies enacted by the City Council.
• Oversee the city’s intergovernmental relations.
• Recommend committee and commission appointments to the Mayor.

• Determine work procedures, prepare work schedules, and expedite workflow; study and standardize procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

• Prepare a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.
• Assist the mayor to ensure that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed.
• Assist the mayor in the preparation and submission of the preliminary annual City budget. Administers the adopted budget of the City.
• Advise the mayor and city council of financial conditions and current and future city needs.
• Attend all meetings of the Council at which attendance may be required by the mayor or council.
• Recommend for adoption by the mayor or council such measures as the administrator may deem necessary or expedient.
• Prepare and submit to the mayor or council such reports as may be required or as the administrator may deem it advisable to submit.
• May serve as the head of one or more departments of city government.
• Create an environment of teamwork and respect.
• Foster a culture of belonging by welcoming and meeting the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to the field
• Serve as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Incident Commander/EOC Manager as appropriate depending upon the nature of the emergency.
• In consultation with the mayor, determine when city facilities should be closed during times of inclement weather or emergencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience and License Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, business management or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Ten (10) years’ experience in a managerial capacity within a municipality or county.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.
• Valid WA State driver’s license or otherwise establish the ability to perform the job in an equally efficient manner without driving.
• Must be bondable.
• Successful passing of a required background, credit, and driver’s abstract check.

Competency Requirements

• Attention to detail.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and written.
• Practice customer service focus.
• Maintain positive interactions with all individuals.
• Build collaborative relationships.
• Anticipate problems and develop contingency plans.
• Take initiative within job scope.
• Remain flexible to changing priorities.
• Determine priorities and take prompt action.
• Meet deadlines and responds to individuals in a timely manner.
• Cognizant to the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others and have an awareness of how one’s behaviors may impact others.
• Work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Practice Social awareness.
• Ability to problem solve challenging matters in a timely manner.
• Resolves and works through conflict with grace, dignity, tact and respect.
• Knowledge of:
• Modern policies and practices of public administration, city visions, values, management, supervision, planning, operations, as well as changes in management philosophy, principles and leadership.
• Municipal finance, administration, public works, public safety, and community development.
• Community organization, social, political and economic development.
• Ability to:
• Prepare and analyze comprehensive reports. Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, city officials and the public.
• Efficiently and effectively administer a municipal government.
• Work effectively with mayors, councils and other elected officials through changing economic, community and leadership environments.

Physical Demands

• Moving throughout City facilities and buildings.
• Travel to off-site locations and move throughout the community as needed.
• Drive and perform field work.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate with City employees and residents.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 10 pounds on occasion.

Work Environment

• 85% of work is performed in an office environment and 15% is performed outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Noise level out in the field is moderately loud.
• Noise level in the office is moderately quiet.
• Work evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
• Night meetings may be required.

Approved reasonable accommodation requests will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Core Values
The City is a team of dedicated professionals who respect and serve the community and each another and has highlighted six core values:

• Professionalism: Being ambassadors of the City by providing expert service delivery.
• Service: Giving helpful assistance or advice to our customers.
• Accountability: Performing the duties of my position in a responsible way.
• Respect: Fairly considering the rights, opinions and ideas of others.
• Integrity: Acting in harmony with the laws and values of the City.
• Teamwork: Working together to best serve the community.