Building Inspection Manager - Building Division, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San José is seeking a Building Inspection Manager in the Building Division to oversee inspection programs and ensure safety and compliance with California codes across mechanical, plumbing, and electrical trades.

Reporting to a Division Manager, the role manages inspectors, develops work plans, reviews plans, and guides staff through training and performance reviews while engaging with developers and the public to improve service; salary ranges from $166,573.68 to $213,049.20

Qualifications

• Demonstrates knowledge of applicable professional/technical principles and practices.
• Experience supervising inspectors or related staff.
• Ability to interpret code requirements and apply regulations.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to lead and develop a team.

Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates the operations of a field inspection section; oversees staff performance.
• Reviews budgets, fees, and staffing needs; supports budget submissions.
• Enforces building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes and related laws.
• Sets operating procedures and performance standards for inspections; mentors staff.
• Oversees code interpretation, policy development, and dispute resolution.
• Coordinates with designers, contractors, and public to ensure code compliance.
• Provides training and outreach to professionals and stakeholders.
• Represents city interests in code development and regional standardization.
• Monitors inspections data to improve efficiency and customer service.

Skills

Knowledge of building codes

Supervisory leadership

Budgeting & cost analysis

Communication & collaboration

Education

High school education or G.E.D.

Job description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at [e-mail].

About The Department

The City of San Jose’s Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement serves to ensure the orderly and safe development of private properties, compliance with all applicable building, zoning, and quality of life ordinances and regulations, and to promote healthy and safe community standards. This is accomplished by departmental staff in service to customers by:

• Assisting and guiding land use and development to promote long-term goals and objectives that render safe, beneficial, and more sustainable communities

• Providing orderly administration and compliance of building codes, as mandated by the various levels of government, to ensure the construction of buildings, homes, and structures meet intended life safety and structural requirements

• Investigating and resolving citizen complaints of municipal code violations on private property in order to promote, maintain, and improve quality of life issues that better allow for safe and harmonious conditions in all neighborhoods

About The Division

The City’s Building Division provides oversight and assistance towards the City's growth and development in relation to construction activity on private property within the City. The goal is to ensure the safety of buildings and to support the health and wellbeing of all persons living and working in San Jose through the implementation of the State of California’s current building codes and laws.

The Building Division is divided into the following four sections:

• Permit Center: Plan intake and routing to plan review and Development Services Partners, over the counter permit processing, permit issuance, addressing, assistance desk/public information, and ADU Ally.

• Plan Review: Review of private development project plans and calculations for compliance with the California Building Codes and state laws, coordination with Development Services partners, expedited review, and coordinated review.

• Inspection: Inspects active private construction projects for compliance with the approved plans and adopted building codes and state laws.

• Support Services: Development Services call center, document imaging, records requests, and general support for the building division.

What We Do

The Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department’s Building Division ensures compliance with the all the above-mentioned obligations by annually reviewing, analyzing, conducting, researching, processing, issuing, inspecting, and providing:

• 30,000 building permits

• 6,000 plan reviews

• 150,000 inspections

• 21,000 customers assisted

• 52,000 calls answered

Position Duties

The Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department is currently seeking to fill one full-time Building Inspection Manager vacancy in the Building Division.

The salary range for the Building Inspection Manager classification is $166,573.68 - $213,049.20 annually. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Reporting to a Division Manager, the Building Inspection Manager position is a full-time position responsible for the overall administration of one or more inspection programs and technical code requirements relating to inspections. Building Inspection Managers have extensive involvement in the direct oversight of the construction and inspection processes related to the structural, architectural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, and accessibility requirements of the California Building Codes. Building Inspection Managers also supervise Building Inspector Supervisors, who are directly responsible for a variety of inspections and plan review projects.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates the operations of a field inspection section, using inspection data and performance metrics to develop and adjust work plans, set priorities, and allocate staff resources; manages inspection projects through subordinate Building Inspector Supervisors.

• Analyzes fee structures and workload data relative to work expenditures required to accomplish service, and recommends changes to fee structures based on cost and performance trends. Provides written budget input to balance fees with cost of required work, and submits data-informed estimates of personnel and material requirements for budget purposes.

• Enforces adopted codes and regulations pertaining to building construction; applying knowledge of applicable Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical codes and related laws, City Municipal Code, And City Ordinances relating to construction inspections; evaluates new methods, materials, and technologies of construction, including emerging tools for inspection and code compliance.

• Establishes operating procedures and performance standards for field inspections within the section; holds Building Inspector Supervisors and inspection staff accountable for timeliness, quality, and consistency of inspections. Oversees supervisors’ assignment of work to inspectors, reviews reports and correspondence, and directs subordinates on new and difficult inspection problems. May assist on difficult inspection problems and perform occasional inspections or re-inspections on complex projects.

• Plans and formulates policies for the application of regulations; makes decisions on code interpretation in cases of conflict between inspectors and contractors; establishes and monitors inspection standards and outcomes. Resolves disputes between inspectors and customers (contractors, owners, developers).

• Reviews construction plans and specifications on complex projects where code interpretation problems are delaying City approval, providing timely resolution to keep projects moving.

• Provides educational outreach and training to design architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners to facilitate compliance with building codes.

• Facilitates public outreach to identify customer needs and establish measurable customer service goals; acts as a liaison between City and contractor organizations, using customer feedback and service data to drive continuous improvement.
• Represents City's interests in the code development process by participating in code development, recommending code revisions and ordinance amendments, and providing leadership in establishing regional code uniformity with other municipalities.
• Tracks State and Federal legislation having impact on codes and inspections and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Supervises, mentors, and develops Building Inspector Supervisors and other technical and administrative staff: prioritizes and assigns work; sets clear performance expectations and holds staff accountable through regular coaching and performance evaluations; ensures staff receive ongoing training and professional development; makes hiring, termination, disciplinary recommendations and other recommendations related to changes in employee status.
• Promotes and implements department policies and programs, such as remote inspections, small business support, combination inspections, and emergency preparedness, leveraging data and technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and customer service.
• Uses inspection data, permitting metrics, and workload analytics to identify trends, forecast staffing needs, and continuously refine section workplans and priorities.

Currently, the vacant position oversees inspectors specializing in mechanical/plumbing and electrical trades.

Minimum Qualifications

High school education or G.E.D.

Experience

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible and directly related experience in building inspection within the associated trade discipline, including two (2) years performing work of a similar nature and level as a Building Inspector Supervisor with the City of San Jose.

Acceptable Substitution

College education may be substituted for up to two years of experience on a year-for-year basis; however, there is no substitution for the two years of supervisory experience.

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)

• A valid California driver's license
• Possession of Inspector certification in the inspection trade discipline(s) being managed, from the current code-writing organization of adopted codes, or equivalent certification organization

Form 700

This position is designated under the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and/or California Government Code Section 87200 and requires disclosure of certain financial interests through the Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). Upon hire and annually each spring, the incumbent must also file the Family Gift Reporting Form with Form 700, as required by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise

Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Any additional certifications in addition to the required valid commercial certification in the inspection trade discipline(s) being managed are highly desirable.

Communication Skills

Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Conflict Management

Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspective and interests of the audience.

Leadership

Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational support and direction.

Supervision

Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Problem Solving

Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of the problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Initiative

Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promote job performance.

Customer Service

Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

Additional Information

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

If you have questions about the duties of the position, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Zoe McChesney at [e-mail].

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.