Office Administrator - Public Defender

Salary : $81,540.00 - $118,392.00 Annually
Location : Public Defender's Building - 215 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: O100 - 1026
Department: Public Defender's Office
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Summary
Whatcom County Public Defender's Office is seeking to fill an Office Administrator position.

Would you enjoy the challenge of:

• Providing excellent administrative leadership to the Whatcom County's Public Defender's Office?
• Working successfully in a high-volume, fast-paced environment?
• Applying your first-rate attention to detail to consistently produce accurate work results?

If you answered yes to these questions, Whatcom County is interested in learning more about your qualifications and experience. The Office Administrator plans, organizes, and supervises the administrative and business operations of the Defender's office to ensure efficient, compliant, and customer-focused service delivery. The Administrator also coordinates administrative services, front line reception and phone services, financial operations, budgeting, purchasing, payroll, contracts, grants, records management, communications, business systems, and related operational functions while supervising assigned staff and providing strategic administrative support to department leadership. The position serves as a member of the Public Defender's management team by implementing operational objectives, coordinating resources, resolving complex administrative issues, and recommending process improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness, fiscal accountability, and stewardship of public resources.

Supervisor: Public Defender

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM

For more information:
Full Salary Ranges

• Office Administrator: $6,795 - $9,866 (2026)
• Unrepresented Range 8

Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. As a public entity and in a union-covered position, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Office Administration, Communications, or a closely related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, business operations, or office management experience, including at least two (2) years of supervisory or advanced lead responsibility.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position may be considered. Experience may substitute for education, and education may substitute for experience when appropriate. Substitution does not apply where a specific degree, license, or certification is required by law, regulation, or professional standards.

Other job Requirements:

• Authorize and successfully complete a background check prior to employment.
• Complete review of all Cash Handling policies within one (1) week of employment.
• Must pass job-related tests.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in local government or public sector administration.
• Experience with budget coordination, grants, contracts, procurement, or financial administration.
• Experience supporting executive leadership or elected officials.
• Experience implementing administrative or business process improvements.

At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.

Supplemental Information

Whatcom County offers excellent benefits to employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
• Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year
• Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
• $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
• Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional benefit information

Whatcom County offers at no cost toemployees, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and 12 paid holidays annually. Prior related public service considered for setting accrual rate. Accrue up to 330 hours of PTO annually. Cash-out up to 40 hours over 330 maximum annually.

Employment YearAccrual - MonthAccrual - Year1st - 4th year18.00 hours5.4 Weeks5th - 9th year21.33 hours6.4 Weeks10th + year24.67 hours7.4 Weeks

• Lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Retirement with County match
• $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for health care and/or dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Additional

Subject to satisfactory performance this position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated (apx. 3.8%), in addition to any approved Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
01

Do you meet these qualifications:Requires a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Office Administration, Communications, or a closely related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, business operations, or office management experience, including at least two (2) years of supervisory or advanced lead responsibility.

• Yes.
• No, I do not meet the minimum qualifications.

02

If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, but have relevant education, training, and experience that clearly demonstrates your ability to perform the essential duties of the position please describe here and in the following questions.
03

Please describe your experience in local government or public sector administration:
04

Please describe your experience with budget coordination, grants, contracts, procurement, or financial administration.
05

Please describe your experience supporting executive leadership or elected officials.
06

Please describe your experience implementing administrative or business process improvements.
Required Question