COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER (AT-WILL)
Salary: $129,468.00 - $197,328.00 Annually Location: Torrance, CA Job Type: Permanent Full-time Job Number: 26031333 Department: CITY MANAGERS OFFICE Opening Date: 03/09/2026
Description We strongly encourage applicants to read the job announcement in its entirety before submitting an application for this position.
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
The City of Torrance is currently seeking innovative and strategic communications professionals for the position of Communications Manager in the City Manager's Office and Torrance Police Department.
The Departments The City of Torrance City Manager's Office provides executive leadership and administrative oversight for City operations, working closely with the Torrance City Council to implement policy direction and coordinate strategic initiatives that support high-quality municipal services in the City of Torrance.
The Torrance Police Department delivers comprehensive law enforcement and public safety services through proactive policing, community partnerships, and specialized programs designed to protect residents, businesses, and visitors. Together, these two departments work collaboratively to ensure effective governance, responsive public safety services, and a strong commitment to serving the Torrance community.
Why Join the City of Torrance?
• Meaningful Work: Help keep a vibrant community informed, connected, and prepared during both everyday operations and critical situations. • Leadership Opportunity: Lead a talented communications team and work directly with City leadership to shape messaging and community engagement. • Innovation & Technology: Leverage modern communication tools, multimedia storytelling, and emerging technologies-including AI-to expand outreach and improve accessibility. • Community Impact: Your work will directly support transparency, trust, and civic engagement for more than 140,000 residents and local business.
The Positions The City of Torrance is seeking dynamic and strategic leaders to serve as Communications Managers. The Communications Managers will manage comprehensive internal and external communications programs in each department, ensuring timely, accurate, and transparent information for the community, media, and City leadership.
The Communications Manager in the City Manager's Office leads the planning, development, and implementation of citywide communication strategies and public engagement initiatives. The Communications Manager directs and manages the City's Communications Division and oversees a wide range of public communication functions, including:
• Social media • Digital communications • Public access television programming • Government cable operations
The Communications Manager also serves as the City's official Public Information Officer (PIO) and media spokesperson, coordinating media relations, emergency alerts, and crisis communications during incidents and high-profile events.
The Communications Manager in the Torrance Police Department will serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) who oversees the Department's communication strategy, including media relations, social media, and public outreach. The PIO serves as the official spokesperson liaison for the Department and is responsible for providing accurate, timely, and transparent information to the public, media, and community stakeholders.
Monthly Salary Range: $10,789 (Minimum) - $14,300 (Reference) - $16,444 (Maximum)
Appointments are typically made between the minimum and reference point, depending on qualifications.
The City offers ample opportunities for career growth throughout the organization with its 14 departments, which work together to provide quality service, enriching programs, and exciting events to keep the community safe and thriving.
Employee Benefits and Perks The City also proudly offers exceptional employee benefits and perks! Please click here for more information on Employee Benefits, Discounts, & Incentives!
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education and Experience Any combination of education and experience that would have provided the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in public agency communications, media production, public information, broadcast operations, or related fields, including two years in a supervisory or managerial role.
License and Certificates Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Drivers License.
FEMA ICS/NIMS training (ICS-100, 200, 300; IS-700, 800) required or ability to obtain within 12 months. PIO or Crisis Communications certification preferred.
Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator and collaborative leader with strong media relations experience and the ability to manage complex communications in a municipal environment. This individual will demonstrate sound judgment, political awareness, and the ability to deliver clear messaging across multiple platforms.
Successful candidates will possess the following:
• Strong leadership and staff management skills • Expertise serving as a media spokesperson or Public Information Officer • Knowledge of crisis communication and emergency messaging practices • The ability to work effectively with elected officials, City leadership, staff, the community, and the media • A commitment to transparency, accessibility, and responsive public communication
HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS
Interested candidates must submit an online application at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. First review of applications will be those received by Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only those candidates who best meet the City and Departments needs will be invited to participate in the testing process, which will consist of an Oral Interview weighted 100% tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026.
SPECIAL NOTES
Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date.
As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check. Candidates assigned to the Police Department must pass a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical and psychological evaluations, drug screening and a polygraph.
The City of Torrance Conflict of Interest Code requires that employees in this classification file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Information about this requirement may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!
Retirement Benefits The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.
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Employer Information Employer: City of Torrance Address: 3231 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, California, 90503 Phone: 310-618-2915 Website: http://www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs