Manager of Communications

Salary: $155,958.00 - $214,439.00 Annually
Location : 17140 S. Avalon Blvd., Suite 210, Carson, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 205
Department: Public Information & Education
Opening Date: 11/06/2026

The Position
West Basin Municipal Water District is seeking an experienced, energetic, and strategic communications professional to serve as its Manager of Communications. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, creative, and self-motivated leader who demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating communication strategies, media and community relations, education initiatives, marketing, and public affairs for the District. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned areas of responsibility, budget administration and reporting, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and supervising department staff by consistently monitoring and evaluating performance goals and project expectations. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

West Basin seeks a hands-on, working manager who leads by example, brings fresh ideas, takes initiative, and actively contributes to both strategic planning and day-to-day operations. The successful candidate will mentor and develop staff, promote teamwork, encourage creativity, and foster a positive, collaborative, and results-oriented work environment while strengthening relationships with communities, elected officials, stakeholders, and staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Planning: Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive communications, branding, and public education strategies aligned with the District's mission Internal Leadership Communications: Advise the Board of Directors, General Manager, and District leadership on public affairs, media inquiries, community engagement, reputation management, and sensitive communications matters.
• External Leadership Communications: Serve as a District spokesperson and cultivate strong network relationships with city and water retailer communications professionals within the West Basin service area, as well as local, regional and statewide partner agencies.
• Media & Public Relations: Oversee the District's media outreach strategy and contact database, supervise the writing and distribution of press releases, handling of media inquiries, and managing crisis communications.
• Community Engagement & Events: Oversee the planning and coordination of public meetings, facility tours, educational workshops, and project groundbreakings or ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
• Legislative, Technical and Regulatory Support: Manage the translation of complex topics-such as water rate adjustments, construction notices, and state conservation mandates-into clear, accessible public information.
• Digital & Content Management: Oversee content creation for agency website, social media channels, digital newsletters, video production, and collateral materials.
• Team Leadership & Administration: Supervise Public Information and Education staff and contractors, manage department budget, and track program metrics to report back to executive leadership and the board of directors

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in marketing, public relations, communications, or a closely related field, and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, public information, community outreach, intergovernmental relations, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory or management experience that includes proactive and strategic initiative, self-motivation, and the ability to mentor, inspire, and lead a collaborative team. Candidates who demonstrate a positive work ethic, creative problem-solving, sound judgment, and a commitment to professional growth and team development are encouraged to apply.
• Experience in a governmental setting and a master's degree in a related field are desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Public relations principles, planning, strategies and activities.
• Water and environmental issues.
• Media protocol.
• Research techniques.
• Effective presentation principles.

Exceptional ability and skills in:

• Speaking in public.
• Preparing public relations materials.
• Using computers and related software applications.
• Providing customer service.
• Conducting research.
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal communications skills to lead collaboration, convey information and to receive work direction from management and executive leadership and the board of directors and to effectively lead and supervise the Public Information and Education Department team.

• Required to operate standard business equipment; reach with hands and arms; and is frequently required to stand and walk, kneel, crouch or twist, and occasionally lift or carry materials up to 25 pounds.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License, proof of insurance, and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment. The employee is required to use their vehicle with mileage reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.

Supplemental Information
There is one vacancy available for this position. The salary range is $155,958.00 - $214,439.00 annually, depending on qualifications. The position is eligible for District benefits.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Apply by: Open Until Filled - First Review of Applications: December 4, 2026. Apply online at:

For questions or additional information, please contact: West Basin Municipal Water District, Human Resources Department, 17140 S. Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90746, (310) 660-6275. Email:

Application requirements: West Basin Online Application; Supplemental Questionnaire responses, cover letter, and resume. Resume-only submissions will not be accepted in lieu of a completed District Online Application and Supplemental Questionnaire responses.

The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview.

• Retirement --
  California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS):
  
  An employee who becomes a "new" member of CalPERS for the first time on or after January 1, 2013 (and who was not a member of another California public retirement system prior to that date) will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 62 benefit formula (with Social Security) with three year final compensation in accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New members will be required to pay at least 50% of the normal retirement cost (Govt. Code Section. 7522.30(c)).
  
  An employee who is a "classic" member of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with West Basin, will be enrolled in the 3% @ 60 benefit formula with Social Security.
• Health Insurance -- Fully paid employee/family coverage with expense reimbursement.
• Disability Insurance -- Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance plans.
• Life Insurance -- Up to $150,000 based upon salary.
• Vacation -- 10-20 days annually
• Holidays -- 14 paid holidays annually.
• Sick Leave -- 12 days accrued annually.
• Employee Development Program -- Tuition reimbursement of a maximum of $9,000 per fiscal year for job-related coursework. Job related license and certification renewals fully reimbursed.
• Deferred Compensation -- CalPERS 457 plan by employee contribution.
• Supplemental Insurance -- Plans include cancer protection, accident, disability and critical illness insurance by employee contribution.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) -- Fully paid EAP.
• Hybrid/9-80 schedule

01

1. Summarize your education, professional training, and any certifications or accreditations relevant to this position.
02

2. Describe a comprehensive communications or public information strategy you developed and implemented. What were the objectives, your role, and the measurable outcomes?
03

3. Describe your experience handling media inquiries, sensitive public issues, crisis communications, or reputation management.
Required Question