Council approves reclassification of vacant City Engineer position to Deputy Director

The Edmonds City Council on June 24 approved reclassifying the vacant City Engineer position to reflect broader responsibilities as a Deputy Director of Public Works and Utilities while keeping compensation unchanged.

Why it matters: City staff said the current City Engineer role had evolved to include deputy‑director responsibilities and the reclassification is intended to attract a wider candidate pool and make duties clearer to applicants. The change updates the job title and corrects a salary grade label but does not alter pay.

Details and council questions: Acting Public Works and Utilities Director Phil Williams told the council the update was a correction of the job description and title. "Prior to recruiting for this vacancy for this position we would ask that this reclassification takes on the role of Deputy Director of Public Works and Utilities slash City Engineer so that we are able to capture, more quality candidates and also more transparency in what the position will function as in the department," he said. The staff said the change does not create new positions or a budget impact. Councilmembers asked whether the change would alter reporting lines in the department; staff answered it would not.

Outcome: Councilmember Nand moved to approve the reclassification; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The council recorded that the reclassification did not change compensation and that the salary grade number shown on paperwork was a numbering correction not a pay increase.

Ending: The council approved the reclassification to match the existing scope of work for the role and to clarify recruitment messaging; staff will proceed with hiring under the updated classification.