City of Bellingham
Marilla Blethen Walker, PHR, is an experienced human resources professional with a strong background in employee benefits management and general HR practices. Currently serving as the Employee Benefits Manager for the City of Bellingham since October 2021, Marilla previously held roles such as HR Generalist - Benefits and Compensation for the King County Library System and HR Talent Manager at Catholic Community Services. With a career spanning over two decades, Marilla has expertise in employee compensation, benefits administration, recruitment, policy development, and regulatory compliance, having served in various capacities across multiple organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and ARAMARK. Marilla holds a Master’s degree in Counseling-Human Relations from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College.
City of Bellingham
Join the City of Bellingham, where throughout our organization talented, dedicated employees are delivering quality public services and stepping up every day to address the opportunities and challenges of our growing community. Together with our active, engaged residents, we're doing the important work of building a sustainable, equitable and thriving city. Bellingham is located in the northwest corner of the United States, with the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands to the west, snowcapped Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains to the east, and the area surrounding the city dotted with lakes, rivers, forests and farms. Bellingham is 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, Canada, with a city population of over 93,000 and the city limits encompassing 30.1 square miles. A majestic setting, extensive recreation and cultural opportunities, comprehensive local government services, an active non-profit sector, strong business community, excellent K-12 schools, local options for quality higher education, and robust local and regional economies contribute to making Bellingham one of the best places in the country to live, work, play and learn. Our employees play a vital role in our community. We employ nearly 1,000 people in 15 departments, many represented by collective bargaining units and a civil service system. From seasonal workers to full-time positions, we offer a wide range of employment opportunities for all skills, interests and backgrounds. Available positions are posted continuously at cob.org/jobs Learn more about the City of Bellingham via our website, news releases, newsletters, and BTV – our television station, all available through cob.org