Public Works Director

APPLY BY MARCH 19, 2026 AT: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/torranceca/jobs/5240313/public-works-director

The City

Torrance California, the eighth largest city in Los Angeles County, is a vibrant coastal city situated in the South Bay region of Southern California. With nearly 150,000 residents and a peak daytime population that grows to 250,000 or more, Torrance spans an area of almost 22 square miles, including a picturesque mile of beach. Known for its diverse culture and strong sense of community, the city offers a blend of natural beauty and urban convenience, boasting a rich history, an array of parks, excellent schools, and a thriving business sector. The City of Torrance is governed by the Council-Manager form of government with an elected Mayor and six Council Members who appoint a City Manager, a City Attorney, and members of 14 advisory commissions, boards, and council. The Executive team works under the direction of the City Manager based on merit principles. Torrance is a full-service city with an annual operating budget of $586.5 million, capital improvement plan of $249.6 million and a staff of over 1,500 organized in 14 departments.

Torrance features world-class medical and research facilities, vibrant shopping, four-star dining, as well as an intricate mix of burgeoning industrial and commercial facilities. Torrance is one of the few cities in the South Bay to feature its own municipal airport and support facilities. It is also considered to be a "headquarters" city, with major corporations such as Sunrider International, Alpinestars USA, Health-Ade Kombucha, Pelican Products, L3 Harris Technologies, RapiScan Systems, American Honda Motor Company, and Robinson Helicopter Company all calling Torrance home.

The Department

The Public Works Department is a dynamic organization that readily adapts to the needs of the Torrance community by providing quality and reliable services to the public; maintaining and operating the public infrastructure and designing and managing capital improvement projects. The Department has 6 Divisions (Administrative Services, Engineering, Street Operations, Sanitation, Streetscape and Water Operations) with a combined Operating and Capital budget of over $150 million, and a staff of 208. These divisions, although different in nature and range of responsibilities, are focused and directed in the City’s strategic plan for priority of infrastructure. The collaborative functional responsibilities of the six divisions include: maintaining sewer and storm drain infrastructure, including pump stations; catch basins and storm water retention basins; street sweeping; residential refuse, green/organic waste and recycling collection; maintaining concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters throughout the City; maintaining roadway surfaces along with traffic signals, traffic striping, pavement marking and street signage; maintaining and operating the Torrance Municipal Water System that includes transmission and distribution mains, storage reservoirs, pump stations, groundwater production wells and imported water connections, as well as performing water quality assurance testing. The Department also serves as liaison to both the Traffic and Water Commissions.

The Position

The Public Works Director is well suited for a visionary and innovative leader that under general administrative direction from the City Manager; plans, organizes, directs, and integrates departmental functions which include: Administration (departmental support services and customer service); Engineering (design, construction, and management of the Capital Improvement Program, including traffic engineering); Street Operations (streets, sidewalks, and alleys); Traffic and Lighting; Streetscape (public right-of-way trees and landscaped areas); Sanitation (storm drains, sewer collection systems, solid waste and recycling, street sweeping, and illegal dumping abatement); and the Torrance Municipal Water System (water supply and distribution, water resources, and water quality). Provides executive oversight of the Traffic Commission and Water Commission Represents the Department to City management, the City Council and the community; and performs related work as required.

The Public Works Director is directly responsible to the City Manager for the performance of duties. Distinguished from division managers in that the incumbent is responsible for managing the entire department rather than a specific division or section. Work is accomplished within a broad framework, with sole authority and responsibility for a broad service area. Discretion is involved in applying goal and policy statements and in resolving complex organizational and technological problems.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced public works executive with a strong commitment to public service and a demonstrated ability to lead and integrate a large, complex municipal department. This individual brings a comprehensive understanding of public works operations, including engineering, capital improvement planning, infrastructure design and construction, street and traffic systems, sanitation, water systems, and regulatory compliance, while maintaining a strong focus on customer service, safety, and organizational accountability. The successful candidate will exercise sound judgment and discretion in applying City goals and policy direction, resolving complex operational, organizational, and technical challenges within a broad service framework.

As a full-service city committed to high-quality infrastructure and service delivery, Torrance seeks a strategic, results-driven leader capable of developing and implementing long-term plans, goals, and objectives aligned with City Council priorities and the City’s mission. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven strength in executive leadership, fiscal stewardship, and performance management, including directing large departmental budgets, overseeing a multi-year Capital Improvement Program, and establishing performance standards while coaching and developing managers and staff for continuous improvement. Experience working in a unionized municipal environment, managing employee relations matters such as meet-and-confer and grievance processes, and navigating politically sensitive issues with professionalism and integrity is essential.

This candidate will possess a strong track record of building and sustaining effective working relationships with elected officials, executive management, commissions, employees, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the community. As a member of the City’s Executive Management Team, the Public Works Director will collaborate across departments, advise the City Manager and City Council on critical infrastructure and operational issues, monitor industry trends and regulatory developments, and lead change initiatives that enhance efficiency, service quality, and long-term organizational resilience.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Manages and directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, policies, and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards.
• With managers, develops, implements, and monitors long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused on achieving the City’s mission and City Council’s priorities.
• Directs, plans, and organizes, through subordinate staff, the operation and maintenance of streets, highway and traffic and lighting systems; sewer and storm drain facilities; municipal water systems; streetscape (curb, gutter, sidewalks, street trees and roadway landscape areas); sanitation and wastewater collection and disposal.
• Directs, plans, and organizes, through subordinate staff, the design and construction of public works infrastructure and the coordination of capital improvement programs.
• Manages and directs the development of a five (5) year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of public infrastructure projects.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the performance of managers and their assigned staff as well as coaches for improvement and development.
• Establishes performance requirements and personal development goals; takes disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies.
• Experience in identifying, securing, and administering grants to fund projects

For more information about the duties of the position, click here.

SALARY INFORMATION

$17,467.00- $22,044.50- $26,622.00Monthly  Benefits

 (Min.)     (Ref. Point)    (Max.)

Appointments are typically made between the minimum and the reference point of the range, 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. 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 provides the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the necessary knowledge and abilities would be:

Bachelor’s degree from a college or university in Civil Engineering or a related field; or Registration as a licensed Civil Engineer in the State of California; and

ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the administration and management of a comprehensive Public Works/City Engineering program which includes at least five (5) years of experience at the management level.

Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Public or Business Administration or a related field is desirable.

License and/or Certificate

Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Registration as a licensed Civil Engineer in the State of California is highly desirable.