City of Washougal leaders have proposed adding three new jobs in an effort to achieve the goals laid out in the city’s new strategic plan.
City Manager David Scott told the Washougal City Council on Aug. 28 that the positions of strategic initiatives manager, communications manager and community engagement program coordinator “check all of the boxes for resources that were identified as necessary to be successful in implementing the plan.”
“It’s definitely a lot of work with everything that’s been laid out in the strategic plan,” he added, “so if you want to be successful with the plan, we would need these resources.”
Scott told The Post-Record the new positions are “tentative,” as the city is “still working through the early stages of (its) 2024 budget development process.”
Plan approved May 8
The city council approved an updated five-year strategic plan on May 8. It focuses on five strategic priorities: economic development and community prosperity; financial health and core services; a vibrant town center; smart growth; and redefined community identity.
The communications manager position would be a “reclassification” of the city’s existing communications specialist role, Scott said, adding that Michele Loftus, who currently holds that position, is earning a graduate degree in strategic communications.
“She’s already been learning some of the skills and information that she’s going to need (in this new position), and this is an opportunity for us to benefit from that,” he added.
The strategic initiatives manager would provide leadership for strategic plan implementation and performance reporting, and manage and oversee projects and programs related to economic development.
The community engagement coordinator would assist Rose Jewell, the city’s community and communications manager, and the Public Works Department.
The city has established monthly salary ranges of $5,821 to $7,933 for the communications manager; $8,421 to $11,232 for the strategic initiatives manager; and $4,935 to $6,499 for the community engagement program coordinator.
