COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Full Time

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING AN OFFICER OF COMMUNICATIONS (ADMINISTRATION SECTION)

(This is an at-will position)

Salary Range: $104,979.11 – $142,858.67

About Us

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world’s busiest seaports, is an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Guided by its bold new 2050 vision and a plan to double current container volumes to 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2050, the Port of Long Beach is strategically modernizing the Port’s infrastructure with $3.2 billion in capital investments over the next decade. Credited with moving approximately $300 billion in trade, the Port serves as a critical hub for international commerce and is a major transportation center. East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments. Port-related international trade has a wide-ranging economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit the region and the country.

THE TEAM

The primary objective of the Communications & Community Relations Division team is to cultivate and bolster a positive perception of the Port. This involves fostering awareness and understanding of Port operations across diverse audiences, including the international maritime industry, port complex stakeholders, local and regional communities, and Port employees. The team is dedicated to delivering strategic communication services, refining messaging, managing media relations, elevating brand awareness, and implementing community and education programs. Their responsibilities extend to addressing both anticipated and unforeseen communications challenges and opportunities.

THE ROLE

The Administration Officer, under the supervision of the Manager of Communications & Community Relations, oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of the Division, including budgeting, purchasing, and contract management. This role is responsible for managing key Port programs such as community sponsorships, scholarships, and advertising initiatives. The officer supervises a full-time administrative team, ensures compliance with policies, and provides recommendations on operational matters. Additionally, they collaborate with leadership on resource planning, handle financial and procurement issues, and represent the Port at public events.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

How You Get To Contribute

• Ensure the Ports brand is maintained in the diverse range of content-related internal and external marketing and promotional materials.
• Manage the creation and implementation of Port communications plans; gather consensus on goals and objectives; assign tasks; coordinate assignments and materials; produce communications plans.
• Train and mentor staff; provide leadership with respect to career development.
• Work alongside a team responsible for media relations, community outreach, and administrative operations, including full-time staff, consultants, and interns.
• Represent the Port at public events, meetings, and community activities to enhance relationships with external partners.
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Manage the Port’s social and corporate responsibility programs, including the community sponsorship and education scholarship programs.
• Supervise administrative functions such as procurement, contracts, invoices, and budget tracking, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Manage financial responsibilities, including collaborating on the development of the annual budget and controlling costs.
• Schedule, coordinate, and manage administrative projects such as new procurement and advertising strategies.
• Interpret, make policy recommendations, and enforce administrative and operational policies, practices, and procedures
• Advise the Manager, Assistant Director, and Director on Commission office requirements, agenda items, and m emos.

Requirements To File

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, English, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is required. Experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the position’s duties may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in administrative methods, budgeting, procurement, and brand management strategies.
• Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills, with expertise in business communication (spelling, grammar, punctuation).
• Understanding of political and community issues affecting the Port and experience with crisis communications is a plus.

Technical Skills Needed

• Ability to analyze administrative tasks and make sound recommendations for improvement.
• Proficiency in designing and implementing strategies and methods to improve internal and external communications across various channels.
• High proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and other related applications for managing documents, budgets, and presentations.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to analyze complex issues and develop effective solutions to meet goals and improve performance.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and make decisions with minimal supervision.
• Ability to correspond and handle inquiries from internal and external stakeholders, representing the Port professionally in diverse situations.

Desirable

• A Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or a closely related field is desirable.
• Local government experience is highly desired.
• Second language speaking ability is desirable but not required.
• A strong leadership background is preferred in a complex, similarly situated organization.
• Knowledge of the political and community issues affecting the Port is a plus.
• Familiarity with brand management principles and practices for maintaining consistent messaging and public image.
• Previous experience in managing large-scale public events or community outreach programs is beneficial.

To thrive, you will need strong negotiation skills, political savvy, excellent client/customer relations skills, and exceptional public speaking/presentation skills. You must also establish and maintain effective working relationships with various employees, vendor representatives, officials, and Port management.

If you require accommodation because of a disability to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please call (562) 283-7500 or email Careers@polb.com .

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/ .

The final filing date for this recruitment is Friday, May 7, 2026 @ 11:59 pm PDT.

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application in PDF format. Incomplete applications (without a cover letter and resume) will not be considered.

Individuals most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a work-related video interview assessment to further evaluate candidate qualifications. We will start conducting Sparkhire video interviews the week of May 18, 2026 ( in-person ) and conducting final round interviews the week of June 8, 2026 (in-person). Candidates should ensure availability on both dates. The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. References will be completed for finalist candidates; an employment offer is contingent on conducting a comprehensive background check. The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications. Those individuals determined to be most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.

The Benefits

The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $104,979.11 – $142,858.67

Qualifications

(placement depends on qualifications). An attractive package of benefits is included with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States:

• Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with Social Security. Current member contributions are 8.00% for CalPERS and 6.2% for Social Security, paid by the employee.
• Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Vacation – Vacation is accrued at the equivalent of two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. An employee’s vacation accrual may be adjusted upon hire to provide credit for previous full-time employment at a public service agency. Credit for public service shall only be given for completed years of service as a full-time permanent employee. Public Service credit shall not apply to any other benefits.
• Sick Leave – Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement into cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
• Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
• Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness – As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 college savings plan – The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union. Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S. college or university – or two-year technical or vocational institution.

The Port of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. www.polb.com