Public Works Director

APPLY BY MARCH 19, 2026

Lead Infrastructure. Shape a Community. Deliver Lasting Impact.

The City of Torrance is seeking an innovative, strategic, and service-driven leader to serve as its next Public Works Director.

Located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, Torrance is a vibrant coastal community of nearly 150,000 residents, known for its strong civic pride, diverse economy, excellent schools, and exceptional quality of life. As a full-service city operating under the Council-Manager form of government, Torrance maintains a $525 million operating budget, a $182 million Capital Improvement Plan, and a workforce of more than 1,600 employees across 14 departments.

This is a rare opportunity to join a stable, high-performing organization and lead one of the City’s most visible and impactful departments.

The Department

The Public Works Department delivers essential infrastructure and environmental services that support the daily life and long-term sustainability of the community.

The Department includes six divisions:

• Administrative Services
• Engineering & Capital Improvement
• Street Operations
• Sanitation
• Streetscape
• Water Operations

With 208 employees and a combined operating and capital budget exceeding $150 million, the Department oversees:

• A multi-year Capital Improvement Program
• Municipal water production, distribution, and quality assurance
• Sewer and storm drain systems
• Street maintenance, traffic signals, and lighting
• Solid waste, recycling, and environmental compliance
• Landscape maintenance

The Public Works Director also serves as executive liaison to the Traffic and Water Commissions.

The Position

Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Public Works Director provides executive leadership over a complex, multi-division department responsible for maintaining and enhancing critical public infrastructure.

This role requires:

• Strategic long-range infrastructure planning
• Oversight of a five-year Capital Improvement Program
• Fiscal stewardship of significant operating and capital budgets
• Leadership through subordinate managers
• Policy advisement to the City Manager and City Council
• Public communication on high-profile and technically complex issues

The Director exercises broad discretion in implementing Council priorities, resolving organizational challenges, and ensuring operational excellence across all divisions.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned public works leader with a strong foundation in engineering, infrastructure management, and municipal operations. They bring both operational depth and strategic vision.

Key attributes include:

• Demonstrated success managing large, complex public works functions
• Experience overseeing multi-million-dollar capital programs
• Strong fiscal and performance management capabilities
• Experience in unionized municipal environments
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive matters with integrity and professionalism
• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust across departments and with the community

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable discussing regulatory compliance, water system operations, and pavement management as they are advising elected officials and mentoring senior managers.

This is a highly visible executive role requiring sound judgment, executive presence, and the ability to lead change while preserving organizational stability.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess:

A Bachelor’s degree 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 or City Engineering program, including at least five (5) years at the management level.

A Master’s degree is desirable.
California Professional Engineer registration is highly desirable.
A valid California Class C Driver’s License is required.

Compensation & Benefits

$17,467 – $26,622 monthly
($209,604 – $319,464 annually) + comprehensive executive benefits package

Appointments are typically made between the minimum and reference point, depending on qualifications.

The City of Torrance offers competitive benefits, retirement options, professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to a high-performing municipal organization.