Columbia County

Washington’s Columbia County sits well in the most Northwestern part of the US state.   

According to the last census conducted, with a total of 2,260 square kilometers, the county has the third-highest population in the state.  

Bordering the county is Whitman County to the North, Walla Walla County to the West, Garfield County to the east, and Franklin County to the Northwest. Both in Oregon, Wallowa County, and Umatilla County lie to the Southeast and Southwest of the County, respectively. 

The county is named after the Columbia River that passes through the county map. Its largest city, which also serves as the county seat, goes by Dayton. The other town within the county is Starbuck. 

County Offices  

The county offices have several jurisdictions within their capacity, including; county commissioner, county clerk, and county assessor, to name a few. 

The County Assessor, Chris Mills, appraises all taxable real and personal property in the county to distribute tax liabilities fairly. He is deputized by Melanie Mings, accompanied by a chief deputy appraiser by the name Tammy Ketterman. 

Susan J. Marinella is the county clerk who serves as the Superior Court’s administrative and financial officer and as an ex-officio member of the Superior Court under the Constitution. 

Her deputy is Krissy Chapman, who is the chief deputy clerk, and Sarah Boudreau. You can contact the office via email at [email protected].  

The District Court has G. Scott Marinella as the presiding judge located at Dayton Municipal Court. He hears civil, infractions, criminal, and parking cases. He is assisted by Diane Dill, who acts as the clerk. For inquiries, you can reach the office through telephone at (509)-382-4812 or by Fax at (509) 382-2490. 

As the executive and legislative authority for Columbia County, the Board of County Commissioners aims to guarantee that the county’s business, services, and functions are undertaken with efficiency and integrity, utilizing sound judgment and best practices. The board members include; Ryan R. Rundell, the chairman, Marty J. Hall, and Charles L. Amrein. For more inquiries, the telephone is (509) 382-4542. 

The public works office is responsible for providing information on the county’s job availability, permits, fee schedule, and vendor roster information. Charles Eaton P.E is the current Public Works Director and also the County Engineer. He works hand in hand with Amber Phinney, who is the Business Manager of the county. You can reach the office on (509) 382-4724 through Fax and at (509) 382-2534 on the telephone. 

Joseph A. Helm is the current County Sheriff who is in charge of maintaining law and order and reacting to emergencies regarding the community. You can contact his office at (509) 382-2518 / 1100 on the telephone or (509) 382-4765 on Fax. You can also visit his office located on the ground floor of the Columbia County Courthouse that is open from Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. 

Columbia County Weather Conditions 

The altitude ranges from 1,000 feet to 6,000 feet above sea level. As the height rises, precipitation heads eastwards. Most of the agricultural portion receives 10 to 20 inches of annual precipitation, although the highest elevations of the Blue Mountains receive 40 inches or more.   

During the winter months, an average of 20 to 40 inches of snow falls. As early as November, there is a chance of snowfall, which can continue anywhere from a few days to two months. There is an increase in both snowfall and ground depth as one ascends the mountainside. 

In January, wintertime temperatures in the Palouse Hills and Walla Walla River valleys average around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Between 20° and 25° F, the average minimum temperature is observed. On a few nights each winter, temperatures fall to 0° to -15° F, with a range of -25° to -35° F. 

During the summer months, the average high temperature is in the upper 80s, and the average low temperature is in the mid-50s. The temperature reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a few afternoons, with temperatures ranging from 105 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit being recorded.  

Columbia County Employment Opportunities  

The County Government invests heavily in providing employment information through up-to-date advertisements on its official website including all public records. Among the current vacancies include:

An Engineering associate 

Columbia County Public Works is looking for an entry-level engineer who is eager to learn and work on a wide range of transportation projects. The engineering department is accepting applications for the position of Engineering Associate. 

On-call District Court Jury Bailiff 

District Court on-Call is seeking a Jury Bailiff. 

The Jury Bailiff maintains order and security in the courtroom and protects the jury from outside contact during jury trials and deliberations. The job is a part-time on-call contract position. The work schedule varies according to court hours and demands.  

Among the requirements set for the job are: 

• Well informed on legal proceedings and security experience is of high preference
• Ability to solve problems in various situations
• A high school diploma or an equivalent qualification
• Ability to read and decipher instructions given or memos written even when impromptu
• Easily present data to attorneys, members of the public, or other county employees

District Court Judge 

Applicants for District Court Judge positions in Columbia County are now being accepted from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. Candidates for re-election in 2022 will be allowed to fill the remainder of the term with whoever is available. All candidates must meet eligibility standards established by the state.  

The application deadline is on November 24, 2021, at 4.00 pm.  

Senior GIS Specialist 

The Public Works Department of Columbia County is seeking a Senior Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist. As a GIS analyst, this job is responsible for preserving GIS data relating to public works (such as pavement and road inventories). Maps of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Public Works and other County departments developed and operated the GIS system using ESRI software.  

Emergency Management, 911, the Assessor’s Office, the Auditor’s Office, and Planning and Building are just a few of the clients who have inquired about GIS. Major technological and geographic information are some must-do system-related activities. 

Columbia County Offices by Type