Community Relations Manager

Salary : $94,068.00 - $114,348.00 Annually

Location : Lakewood, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2025-36

Department : Communications

Division : Public Information

Opening Date : 02 / 03 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 19 / 2025 2 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

Under general direction of the Public Information Officer, the Community Relations Manager plans and implements community relations programs.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following :

• Organizes large and small special events
• Manages the floor at special events
• Serves as the master of ceremonies at special events
• Works directly with city council members and the city manager to determine their roles at special events
• Makes written and oral presentations to the city council and internal and external organizations about community programs
• Conducts fundraising through special event sponsorships citywide
• Writes, edits and coordinates the production of special event scripts, speeches, proclamations, news releases, news articles, social media posts, city publications, web entries, advertisements and other promotional materials
• Oversees and reviews the design of print and e-mail newsletters, brochures and other materials
• Manages civic recognition and protocol activities
• Creatively develops new community relations outreach programs
• Coordinates with staff in other city departments on the resources to conduct an annual program of special events
• Manages and continually enhances the city's database of community relations contact information
• Conducts tours of city facilities
• Supervises and trains full and part-time administrative support staff
• Serves as the city spokesperson / news media contact in absence of the Public Information Officer
• Performs related public information and community relations duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience : Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in public administration, communications, marketing, business administration, or a closely related field and four years of increasingly responsible experience in public information or community relations. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

License : Possession of a valid Class "C" Operator's license issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record are required.

Knowledge of : Principles of promotion and advertising; media, social media, e-newsletters and website communications; event management and staff supervision; public administration; written and oral communications; and English grammar and vocabulary.

Skills & Abilities to : Prepare and administer a program budget; write fluently and effectively for event scripts, publications, social media, e-newsletters and websites; compose persuasive speeches, including writing in the "voice" of those who will deliver the speech; communicate logically and cogently with residents, city officials and colleagues; utilize a wide variety of information sources to meet program goals; work with graphic designers on print and e-mail newsletters and social media posts, including personally selecting compelling photographs, text, graphics and design elements; form strong working relationships and exercise good judgment in interactions with coworkers, community leaders and city council members; have a strong customer service philosophy and ethic; skillfully handle multiple tasks and prioritize workload to meet goals; organize fundraising programs in support of program goals; creatively develop new community relations programs and events; provide "hands-on" management of public events; deal with multiple priorities effectively; perform objective research and reporting tasks; utilize word processing programs for e-newsletters, brochures, informational materials and reports; train and / or supervise program support staff.

Physical and Mental Demands : Ability to read, write, type, operate office tools and equipment such as a computer, calculator, fax machine, pencils and pens; drive city vehicles; be at work daily; communicate orally, in writing and over the phone; lift and carry up to 25 pounds; stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time; and hear and see within normal ranges.

Supplemental Information

The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes :

1. Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and / or local laws or resolutions.

2. For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1 / 1 / 2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1 / 1 / 2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula.

SELECTION PROCEDURE : All properly submitted applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Those candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the position will be invited to participate in the examination process. The examination process may consist of any one or a combination of the following examination procedures, which include, but are not limited to : oral interview, written examination, work sample exercises, qualifications appraisal interview, supplemental questionnaire and / or performance examination. Not all applicants may be tested or interviewed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

APPLICATION PROCESS : Applications must be filled out completely and clearly show that the qualifications are met. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the Eligible List, or discharge from employment. Resumes may be attached, but will not be accepted in lieu of a standard City application form. All application materials become the property of the City of Lakewood and are not returnable.

COMPENSATION : City employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, therefore, published monthly salary is for illustration purposes only, rounded to whole dollars. Actual salary is based on hourly rate rounded to four decimal places.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY : The City of Lakewood does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability status, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, or other protected class in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES : Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are encouraged to apply for City employment. Those who require a reasonable accommodation to take a test as part of the selection process must make such a request to the Personnel Department, in writing, at least three working days prior to the date of the testing procedure. Individuals requesting accommodation in the testing process will be required to provide documentation of such need.

IMMIGRATION REFORM & CONTROL ACT OF 1986 : In compliance with the Act, all new employees must verify their identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing required documentation.

FINGERPRINTING : Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

RESTRICTIONS ON NEPOTISM : The employment of relatives can create undesirable results, particularly in connection with performance evaluation, discipline, and general morale of other workers. Therefore, it is the city's policy that no relative of any City officer or employee to which this resolution applies shall be employed, if said City officer or employee is in a supervisory, lead or subordinate position over said relative in the areas of hiring, setting compensation, discipline or termination. "Relatives" for this purpose include son, daughter, mother, father, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, or persons living in the same household. The City does not prohibit employment of two people who are married to each other or who are the registered domestic partners of each other pursuant to the California Family Code (section 297 et seq.). Nonetheless, the City will not employ spouses or registered domestic partners in the same division or facility in situations where such action is determined to be inappropriate because of reasons of supervision, safety, security or morale.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION : Employment offers are conditional, based upon the successful completion of a medical examination which includes drug and alcohol screening for safety-sensitive positions. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit their jobs or give notice to their current employers until they are determined to be medically qualified.

TUBERCULOSIS TESTING : Candidates selected to work in a position requiring contact with children must submit a certificate or notice documenting that within the last two years they have been examined and found to be free of communicable tuberculosis. The certificate or notice must be signed by a licensed examining physician or public health agency.

POSSESSION OF A VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE : Employees in classifications requiring possession of a valid California driver's license will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice program, which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects the driving record.

LOYALTY OATH OR AFFIRMATION : All City employees are required to sign a loyalty oath or affirmation prior to actual employment.

EMERGENCY SERVICE : All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD : Employees appointed to positions in the classified service are required to serve a probationary period of not less than six months. All other employees are considered at-will and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes :

1 Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and / or local laws or resolutions.

2 For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1 / 1 / 2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1 / 1 / 2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula.

Which one of the following best describes your highest level of education completed :

Indicate the major of your degree

Indicate the number of years of increasingly responsible experience you possess in performing public information work :

Briefly describe examples of the type of public information work you have performed, and for which employer(s) you performed it.

Indicate the number of years of increasingly responsible experience you possess in performing community relations work :

Briefly describe examples of the type of community relations work you have performed, and for which employer(s) you performed it.

Briefly describe your experience in coordinating and organizing special events, and for which employer(s).

Briefly describe your experience in writing speeches, event scripts and / or articles, and for which employer(s).

Briefly describe your experience in making oral presentations to internal or external groups about events and programs, and the employer(s) you were working for.

Please submit three (3) examples of your writing, that include either speeches, event scripts or articles. Indicate which employer each sample was written for, and a description of who or what the speech, script or article was for. Applications submitted without three (3) examples of your writing will be considered incomplete and will not be given consideration.

Required Question

Salary : $94,068 - $114,348