8I
Date: March 24, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Hedieh Khajavi, Human Resources Director
By: Leallani Stewart, Human Resources Analyst | [email protected] Subject: Human Resources – Approve Proposed Class Specification for Project Manager - Information Technology. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Human Resources Director that City Council approve the proposed class specification for Project Manager – Information Technology.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The Information Technology Department is undergoing a comprehensive reorganization aimed at enhancing operational efficiency to support the City's growing digital needs. This strategic overhaul includes the introduction of several new class specifications, all designed to address the evolving demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape. The Project Manager – Information Technology will support the Information Technology Department by managing and coordinating diverse technology projects across the City, including enterprise systems implementation, applications development, infrastructure upgrades, audio/visual enhancements, and other IT-related initiatives. This position will serve as the primary liaison between departments, vendors, and project stakeholders, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget while meeting business objectives and regulatory requirements.
ATTACHMENT
1.Project Manager - Information Technology Proposed Class Specification 1 City of Torrance March 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
PROJECT MANAGER –
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (AT-WILL)
Definition
Under general direction, supports the Information Technology (IT) Department by managing and coordinating diverse technology projects across the City, including enterprise systems implementation, applications development, infrastructure upgrades, audio/visual enhancements, and other IT-related initiatives.
Serves as the primary liaison between departments, vendors, and project stakeholders, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget while meeting business objectives and regulatory requirements. Performs related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Distinguished from Systems Analysts and Information Technology Analysts by its primary focus on project planning, coordination, and stakeholder management rather than direct technical implementation. Distinguished from IT Manager in that the incumbent is not responsible for managing an entire division. Work is performed within a broad framework of general policy and requires considerable independence, sound judgment, and a high level of accountability to ensure alignment with the City’s strategic technology objectives.
Supervision Exercised/Received
Receives general direction from the Information Technology Director and may provide lead direction and oversight to assigned staff.
Examples of Essential Duties
The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive. • Leads, plans, and manages IT projects of varying size and complexity, including enterprise applications deployment, database modernization, cybersecurity initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and audio/visual enhancements. • Applies project management best practices based on the Project Management Institute Project Management Body of Knowledge framework, using Agile, predictive (Waterfall-style), or hybrid approaches depending on project needs. • Facilitates requirements gathering sessions with business units, translating functional and technical needs into actionable project plans and deliverables. 2 City of Torrance March 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
• Develops and maintains project documentation, including charters, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and status reports.
• Coordinates cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment between IT and City business units.
• Manages vendor relationships, including procurement, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring to ensure compliance with City policies and project goals. • Monitors and reports project progress, risks, and resource needs to senior management, steering committees, and stakeholders.
• Supports application development efforts by aligning project planning with Software Development Lifecycle methodologies (SDLC), Agile sprints, and release cycles.
• Oversees infrastructure-related projects, including networking, server upgrades, virtualization, hybrid cloud integration, and database modernization efforts. • Coordinates the deployment of audio/visual solutions, conferencing technologies, and digital workspace enhancements.
• Ensures compliance with cybersecurity standards, IT governance frameworks, and regulatory mandates.
• Mentors project team members and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conducts post-project evaluations to capture lessons learned and improve future delivery effectiveness.
Qualification Guidelines
Knowledge of
• Project management principles, frameworks, and methodologies, including PMI PMBOK, Agile, Scrum, and predictive (Waterfall-style) approaches. • Application development lifecycle methodologies, including Agile and traditional SDLC.
• Enterprise systems integration, database environments, and reporting tools. • Infrastructure technologies such as networking, virtualization, hybrid cloud, and audio/visual solutions.
• Procurement processes, contract management, and vendor oversight in a public- sector environment.
• Business process analysis and requirements gathering techniques. • Budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation strategies for complex IT initiatives.
• Risk management, cybersecurity frameworks, and regulatory compliance standards relevant to municipal IT operations.
• Project tracking and reporting tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana, or equivalent.
3 City of Torrance March 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
• City and Department Mission including strategic goals and objectives. • General City operations.
• Applicable local, State, and Federal laws and regulations.
Ability to
• Plan, execute, and manage multiple concurrent IT projects while meeting deadlines and budget constraints.
• Analyze business and technical requirements and translate them into comprehensive project plans.
• Collaborate effectively across City departments, IT staff, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Adapt project management approaches to fit Agile, predictive, or hybrid methodologies.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks. • Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, tailoring presentations and updates for executive leadership, elected officials, and the public.
• Lead cross-functional teams, provide guidance, and ensure alignment on goals and deliverables.
Core Competencies
• Action and Results Focus – Showing initiative and being focused on accomplishment.
• Adaptability – Adjusting to change or to the emergent demands of the situation. • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – Analytically and logically evaluating information, issues, and problems.
• Customer Focus – Providing exceptional service.
• Decision Making – Exercising discretion and judgment in choosing courses of action.
• Group Facilitation – Enabling constructive and productive group interaction. • Handling Conflict – Improving interpersonally strained situations. • Informing – Obtaining and sharing information.
• Involving Others – Engaging others for their input and contributions. • Leveraging Technology – Applying technology for improvements in efficiency and effectiveness
• Oral Communication – Engaging effectively in dialogue. • Professional Impact – Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization.
• Project Management – Ensuring projects are on-time, on-budget, and on- specifications
• Relationship Building – Establishing rapport and maintain working relationships. 4 City of Torrance March 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:
A bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing IT-related projects, preferably in local government or public-sector environment. Experience supporting projects in applications development, enterprise systems, infrastructure upgrades, and audio/visual technologies is highly desired.
License and/or Certificates
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license.
The following certifications are highly desirable:
• Project Management & Agile
• PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2, or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) • IT Service & Governance
• ITIL Foundation or equivalent
• Technical Knowledge Enhancement
• Certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, cloud platforms, or database administration relevant to the project scope
Special Requirements
Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands and/or working conditions:
Work is primarily performed indoors in an office setting; requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle as driving City vehicles to various locations is expected. Requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another. Requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as using a computer keyboard. Tasks require sound and visual perception and acuity, as well as oral communications ability. Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Work may involve evenings, weekends, or extended hours during critical project milestones or emergencies.
5 City of Torrance March 2026
Code: New
Class Designation: At-Will
Career Ladder Information
Experience and/or education gained in this classification may serve to meet the qualification guidelines for Information Technology Manager. 6