Tumwater hires new administrative services director

Tumwater has hired Michelle Sutherland as its new administrative services director.

Tumwater City Council authorized the signing of Sutherland’s employment contract during a meeting on Tuesday, September 19.

City Administrator Lisa Parks said that as the new administrative services director, Sutherland’s primary role will be in human resources and that she will also provide oversight and assistance to the City Clerk’s Office.

The job posting for the position specifies that the administrative services director evaluates the city’s human resources needs and leads citywide recruitment. The administrative services director also assists other department managers in areas concerning employee performance.

The position also serves as the city’s chief labor contract negotiator, the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, the city’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, and the Chief Examiner of the Civil Service Commission.

Sutherland, a Tumwater resident, has been the administrative services director for the City of Shelton since 2019. Prior to this role, she was the HR manager of a correctional facility in Michigan.

Sutherland has a degree in psychology and business administration and is currently working on a master’s degree in management and leadership at Western Governors University.

“I would say that from my own perspective, we really appreciated Michelle's strategic thinking and plan experience,” Parks said about Sutherland.

“She has extensive HR experience, including labor negotiations. She also has extensive experience with the Civil Service Commission, which is something that's really important for the city of Tumwater with our police and fire departments,” Parks added.

Sutherland will assume her new role on October 2, with a starting monthly salary of $11,904.

The role of administrative services director was last held by James Trujillo who vacated the position in February.