DEPUTY DIRECTOR - WHAT-COMM 911
City of Bellingham, WA

First Review: July 20, 2025    
Salary Range: $117,252 - $142,536 annually DOQ

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Job Description
Benefits Summary


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The City of Bellingham is seeking a Deputy Director for What-Comm 911, the primary emergency communications center for Whatcom County. Located in the northwest corner of Washington State, Whatcom County is a Pacific Northwest community of nearly 230,000 residents located along the Canadian border, just 90 miles north of Seattle and 55 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia.  

 

WHAT-COMM 911

What-Comm 911 is operated as a division of the Bellingham Police Department and dispatches law enforcement calls for service to all local law enforcement agencies in Whatcom County, WA. Located in Bellingham, the center handles over 268,000 calls annually and serves a population of 234,954 over 2,500 square miles. All fire and medical related calls are forwarded to the Prospect Fire Dispatch Center at the Bellingham Fire Department’s Broadway Street station. What-Comm 911 operates with an annual budget of $6.9 million and 41 authorized FTEs and is governed by the What-Comm Administrative Board, comprised of elected officials and public safety leaders. 

 

THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM

The City of Bellingham is committed to working toward a vision of being a safe, sustainable and equitable community where current and future generations can thrive. The City serves a population of 97,270 across 30 square miles with a budget of $548.9 million and a team of 1035 FTEs. Bellingham’s leadership team is highly collaborative and takes a “one city” multi-disciplined approach to initiatives. 

  

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Reporting to the Bellingham Police Department Deputy Chief of Police, who serves as the What-Comm 911 Director, the Deputy Director manages the operations, programs, and personnel of the What-Comm 911 Communications Center, ensuring the highest service standards to the public and user agencies. Responsibilities include managing the budget, supervising staff, developing and implementing policies, and recommending equipment and technology replacements and upgrades to maintain and enhance efficiency standards. The position collaborates with the Prospect Communications Center and works closely with the What-Comm Administrative Board. 

 

WHY APPLY

This is a special opportunity to lead a county-wide, law enforcement-specific emergency dispatch center within the City of Bellingham, just off the I-5 corridor 90 miles north of Seattle. What-Comm 911 is a well-managed organization with an excellent team of call receivers, dispatchers, supervisors, and administrative staff. Center employees are known for being down-to-earth, intelligent, and dedicated to providing high-quality police dispatch services to the greater Bellingham/Whatcom County region. Known for its outdoor and cultural offerings, Bellingham is home to nearly 100,000 residents and ranks among one of the most scenic and dynamic communities in the Pacific Northwest. If you are looking for a friendly and supportive community where public safety is a priority, this may be the right opportunity. 

For questions on this position, please contact:

Tim Troxel
GMP Consultants
Tim@gmphr.com
(206) 696-4542