Communication and Engagement Officer in Arcadia

Nestled along the rolling foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest, Arcadia is a charming, family-oriented community with a population of just over 57,000. Located only 13 miles east from downtown Los Angeles, regional transportation networks like the Metro Gold Line connect Arcadia as a premier residential, shopping, and entertainment destination in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia is known for its top-rated schools, iconic landmarks, and serene neighborhoods.

Arcadia is an award-winning community having been twice named as the Best City in California in which to Raise Kids and has been recognized as a business-friendly City in Los Angeles County.

With many exciting new developments underway including the downtown revitalization around the Metro A Line Station, new hotels, affordable housing projects, and a thriving regional shopping mall, joined with the conveniences and amenities of a full-service, mid-size city, Arcadia's "Community of Homes" provides a quality of life that will go Above & Beyond your expectations.

The City Manager's Office is searching for a skilled Communication and Engagement Officer. Someone who lives and breathes community engagement and fostering connections to and amongst residents. The ideal candidate will focus on proactive communication by providing timely, accurate information to the public, the media, and internal stakeholders. The messages created should support the City's brand and help maintain community trust.

This position will serve as the backup Public Information Officer (PIO) for the City, providing essential support in maintaining consistent and effective communication.

In this role, you will focus on Arcadia's storytelling! Stories are a powerful communication tool and this position will be responsible for planning, designing and implementing the messages that tell our story as a City. Embedded within 'our story' is the need to create and manage City marketing and communications, social media content, and print and digital communication mediums like the monthly utility insert, the monthly email newsletter, and the City's website.

Strong experience in digital editing, photography, and videography is highly desired, as these skills are key to producing high-quality content that represents the City's initiatives and values. While not a direct supervisory role, this position may offer internal leadership by contributing to communication strategies and collaborating across departments.

If you want to join a team that inspires you to go above and beyond, we invite your application!

What We Offer:

• Three tier monthly benefit allowance of up to $2,150
• $300/month deferred compensation match through Empower
• City paid Vision Plan for employee and family
• City paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Expected salary increases of 5% effective 07/01/2026
• Tuition reimbursement/advancement upon the completion of probationary period

Key Qualities:

• People-oriented with great interpersonal skills
• Excellent presenter with distinguished communication skills
• Proactive team player who takes initiative
• Bilingual in Mandarin and/or Cantonese is desirable

Recruitment Process and Important Dates:

Application Filing Deadline: 1/09/2026 11:59 P.M Pacific

Submit a detailed, thorough online application.

Process:

• Telephone interviews:
  Week of January 19, 2026 (Pass/Fail)
• In Basket Testing (20%) / Qualifications Appraisal Interviews (80%):
  Week of January 26, 2026 (Tentative)

Requirement:

All applications must be detailed and inclusive of a resume and a cover letter.

Definition:

Under general direction, perform a variety of professional and technical duties in support of Citywide marketing and promotion programs; will perform some video production duties to include simple recording and production for social media and website content; create, manage, and maintain consistency in branding and marketing across all communication platforms used by the City, including graphic design, social media, website content, promotional material, media placement, special projects, and departmental requests;

develop and implement communication and marketing strategies for the City to maintain and further develop positive relations with the public and emphasize timely, accurate information to the public, media, and other stakeholders; coordinate and participate in advertisement for City functions and events; interact with the public, staff, elected officials, and stakeholders; perform other duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties:

May exercise direct supervision over part time, temporary employees.

Represent the City's Public Information Officer in their absence.

Assist in development and implementation of both internal and external communication, marketing and branding strategies, media relations, and public outreach campaigns.

Develop and facilitate the implementation of a social media strategy for the City and its various departments; develop a consistent look, feel, voice, style, message, and brand for all City…