ABOUT THE POSITION:

The position is housed within the City Manager’s Office and operates under the administrative direction of the Assistant City Manager. It plays a critical strategic role in an organization and community that place a strong emphasis on high-quality, two-way communication with both internal and external audiences. The selected candidate will have direct access to senior leadership and will actively contribute as a member of the City’s decision-making team.

In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and applying strong, hands-on expertise in creating and delivering content across print, web, social media, and video platforms. The role may include supervising management, professional, technical, and clerical staff, as well as leading committees and cross-functional workgroups.

Explore the Communications & Engagement Manager Opportunity

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

For planning purposes, panel interviews are scheduled for the week of July 6, 2026, and will be conducted virtually. Final interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of July 20, 2026, and will be conducted in person. 

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY: Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

WHY WORK FOR US? The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

Application Process

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems. Positions that require work on a military installation will involve job duties performed on-site and therefore require passing a background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Candidates who successfully progress through all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12 months and may be used to fill additional positions including lower-level positions, regular part-time, and part-time temporary seasonal, determined to have similar duties and requirements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Monterey provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

SUMMARY: Under general supervision of the Assistant City Manager, the Communications & Engagement Manager coordinates the development, implementation, and support of the City's community engagement, public, and internal communication efforts. Acting as a strategic guide and partner to all departments, the incumbent fosters a culture of transparency and accessibility by providing staff with the tools and guidance needed to uphold high communication standards and effectively tell the City’s story. The position works with subject-matter expert staff to disseminate complex, sensitive, and high-profile information regarding the city programs, projects, policies, initiatives, and events, as well as manages the City’s website, email marketing, unified graphics, and digital platforms with a focus on user experience.  The position manages the City’s broad marketing programs and outreach efforts, utilizing creative outreach strategies to build authentic connections with diverse populations and traditionally underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the Communications & Engagement Manager is a core member of the City’s Emergency Management Team, ensuring that emergency communications are inclusive, accessible, and reach all members of the Monterey community. Additionally, the Communications & Engagement Manager supports the City’s legislative and intergovernmental advocacy, leveraging strategic communications to advance policy initiatives and support the City’s competitive position for grant funding.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Communications & Engagement Manager is a management level classification with broad responsibility for the coordination and maintenance of an effective community engagement, public information, website administration, internal communications, and outreach program for the City of Monterey. This position reports to the Assistant City Manager and is distinguished from other program managers by its specialized knowledge of community engagement, public relations and outreach, and website management. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Journalism, or a closely related field. An advanced degree in a relevant field is highly desirable but not required. 
• Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible public information, public affairs, or media relations experience. At least one year of recent experience must have included management/supervisory experience. Two years of experience of performing public relations in a public agency is highly desirable.  

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION: 

• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is desirable but not required.