City Manager

City Manager

The City of Washougal is seeking a City Manager for this waterfront community located along the Columbia River in eastern Clark County, about 20 miles east of Portland. The city sits between the Columbia and Washougal rivers at the western entrance to the Columbia River Gorge, offering a small-town setting within easy reach of the Portland-Vancouver metro area.

Incorporated in 1908, the City of Washougal is a full-service city serving a population of 18,490 across 6 square miles with a 2026 budget of approximately $121 million and a team of 87 FTEs. Departments include Administration, Human Resources & Risk Management, Finance, Community Services & Strategy, Community Development, Public Works, and Police. The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a Mayor and six Council Members elected on a nonpartisan basis to four-year, overlapping terms.

The City is actively implementing its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, which provides a framework for City decision-making and investment. Washougal City government is guided by an operating philosophy that emphasizes responsive service, practical innovation, accessibility, fiscal responsibility, accountability, and collaboration. The City is committed to thoughtfully managing growth and expanding economic opportunity while preserving the community's natural beauty and small-town character.

This is an exceptional opportunity to bring your skills and experience to elevate an organization poised for transformational change. Known as the "Gateway to the Gorge," Washougal is a tight-knit community with small-town charm, located along the Columbia River, just 20 minutes from Vancouver, Washington, and minutes away from world-class outdoor recreation. The current City Manager is retiring after nearly 17 years of service to the City, including as City Administrator and as Washougal's first City Manager. The next City Manager will benefit from an energetic, professional staff, a highly collaborative and cohesive City Council, and a slate of major capital projects—including one of Washington State's most innovative and high-profile infrastructure efforts. If you're looking to guide a community through a period of growth while maintaining community character, this may be the opportunity for you.