Employment & Vacancies

Eligibility: Applicants must be a registered voter of the Town of Cathlamet and a reside within town-limits.

Training: Every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training on the requirements of the OPMA & PRA no later than ninety days after the date the member assumes public office and such training must be repeated every 4-years while in office. (RCW 42.30.205; 42.56.150)

Availability: Attendance at regular Town Council meetings is required. Meetings occur on the third Monday of each month beginning at 6:00 p.m. If the scheduled meeting falls on a holiday, the meeting will take place the following day at the same time. Special meetings may also be called periodically, and Councilmembers may serve on committees and boards as a liaison for the Town.

The salary is $100 per month. Attendance is required at regular meetings, which are held each month on the third Monday at 6:00 p.m.

Comprised of five elected at-large members, the town council is the legislative authority of the town and has the power to enact laws and policies, consistent with state law, needed or desired to regulate local and municipal affairs within the jurisdiction of the town or its service areas.

Specific duties include:

• Enacting laws and policies, consistent with state law, needed or desired to regulate local and municipal affairs within the jurisdiction of the town or its service areas
• Enacting a town budget
• Defining the powers, functions and duties of town officers and employees
• Fixing the compensation and working conditions of officers and employees
• Maintaining retirement and pension systems
• Imposing fines and penalties for the violation of town ordinances
• Entering into contracts
• Regulating the acquisition, sale, ownership and other disposition of real property
• Providing governmental, recreational, educational, cultural and social services
• Imposing taxes and fees not otherwise prohibited by state law
• Causing the town to own and operate utilities
• Approving claims against the town
• Granting franchises for the use of public ways
• Granting business licenses for the purpose of revenue and regulation
• Establishing rules governing its own procedures, including for public meetings and hearings
• Exercising all other authorities and perform all other duties and functions for councils as provided by state statute

Eligibility: Two members may be out-of-town residents living anywhere in Wahkiakum County. The other three members must be in-town residents. In selecting the trustees, the council shall seek to ensure representation that includes experience with the functions of public and private libraries, serving on oversight boards, and a demonstrated commitment to promoting public education, culture, and intellectual development to a diverse community.

Training: Every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training on the requirements of the OPMA & PRA no later than ninety days after the date the member assumes public office and such training must be repeated every 4-years while in office. (RCW 42.30.205; 42.56.150)

Availability: A trustee shall attend no less than 75 percent of the regular meetings scheduled by the board each year. Meetings missed after pre-arrangement with the chair shall not be counted as unexcused absences. Failure to meet the board of trustees’ attendance requirements shall be grounds for removal of a trustee by the town council.

Application: A completed Town Library Board Application must be upload to your website application submission or returned to the Clerk-Treasurer at Town Hall, 25 Broadway Street, PO Box 68, Cathlamet, WA 98612, or via email to accounting@townofcathlamet.com.

The trustees shall serve without compensation.

The library board of trustees consists of five members appointed by the mayor, with the power to hire a librarian, set library policy on the mission, goals, and objectives, propose a budget, and perform the duties of governance pursuant to RCW 27.12.190 and 27.12.210, as amended.

Specific duties include:

• Know community needs, keep abreast of library trends, and actively participate in state and national library associations.
• Set up an organizational structure for the library board and adopt bylaws that meet Open Public Meetings laws.
• Assure that board minutes, library policies, plans, and other information or reports are available to the public as required by law.
• Once the board adopts a policy or plan all members support the decision and support staff who implement decisions.
• In coordination with the director, develop and adopt the library's mission statement, long-range, strategic and annual plans.
• Know local, state, and federal laws related to libraries.
• Employ a competent and qualified director, maintain a current job description, and evaluate the director annually on previously agreed upon criteria.
• Clearly delegate operations to library director avoiding procedural micromanaging.
• Discuss, adopt, and periodically review policies.

The terms of office of the initial five trustees shall be for one, two, three, four, and five years, and thereafter the trustees shall be appointed annually for a term of five years.

Eligibility: One member may be an out-of-town resident living anywhere in Wahkiakum County while the other two members must be in-town residents. In selecting the planning commission, the town council shall seek to ensure representation that includes members with an understanding of architecture and urban planning, economic development, community involvement, and the specific concerns of Cathlamet residents and business operators.

Training: Every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training on the requirements of the OPMA & PRA no later than ninety days after the date the member assumes public office and such training must be repeated every 4-years while in office. (RCW 42.30.205; 42.56.150)

Availability: A commissioner shall attend no less than 80 percent of regular meetings during any 12-month period. Members should have a general understanding of architecture, urban planning, economic development, community involvement, and the specific concerns of Cathlamet residents and business operators.

Application: A completed Town Planning Commission Application must be upload to your website application submission or returned to the Clerk-Treasurer at Town Hall, 375 2nd Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

Planning commissioners shall serve without compensation.

The planning commission consists of three members appointed by the mayor who shall serve as the principal advisory board to the town council with responsibility for providing guidance and direction for land use policy.

Specific duties include:

• Providing recommendations to the town council for development and review of the comprehensive plan in compliance with Chapter 36.70A RCW. This includes establishing procedures providing for early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of the comprehensive land use plan and development regulations implementing the plan. 
• Periodically reviewing and recommending amendments to the zoning map and table of permitted uses.
• Periodically reviewing and recommending amendments to the development regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by the town council relating to subjects referred to in Chapter 35.63 RCW.

The term of office of the three commissioners shall be for four years and staggered in such a way that the terms of two commissioners shall expire in even-numbered years and the terms of one commissioner shall expire in odd-numbered years.