Building Inspector Combination/Certified I/II/III/Senior – Electrical Specialty

City of San José; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 114,769 - 174,370; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement/Pension

Employee Assistance Program & life insurance

Job summary

The City of San José is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Building Inspector specializing in Electrical. This role involves conducting inspections at various city facilities, ensuring compliance with building codes and safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in construction or inspection, along with effective communication skills.

Benefits include competitive salaries ranging from $114,769.20 to $174,370.56 based on certification level, annual paid time off, medical insurance, and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Four years of construction experience in relevant fields.
• Experience with inspections in a public agency context.
• Ability to interpret technical documents and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct compliance inspections of various facilities.
• Investigate building and construction changes.
• Prepare reports and documentation based on inspections.

Skills

Knowledge of construction laws

Inspection practices

Effective communication

Customer service

Education

High school graduation or equivalent

Job description

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.

About The Department

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top cities in which to live, work, and do business. The Department of Public Works delivers capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintains City facilities and fleet assets, facilitates development activities, and provides animal care and services. The Department values Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect, and Celebration.

Benefits & Compensation

• Regular Work hours of 40 hours/week + overtime opportunity
• 15 days annual paid holiday time-off
• Approx. 10 days paid time-off (first 5 years of service)
• Accrued paid sick time
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement/Pension
• Employee Assistance Program & life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care)
• Commuter Benefit & Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Long Term Disability (LTD) & Personal Accident Insurance (AD&D)
• Long Term Care (for existing subscribers only)
• (2080 hours worked = 1 year)

Salary Ranges

Building Inspector Combination: $114,769.20 - $139,579.44

Building Inspector Combination Certified I: $118,154.40 - $143,554.32

Building Inspector Combination Certified II: $121,321.20 - $147,878.64

Building Inspector Combination Certified III: $126,169.68 - $153,709.92

Building Inspector Combination Certified Senior: $143,073.84 - $174,370.56

Position Duties

The Department of Public Works is recruiting to fill three (3) Building Inspector—Electrical Specialty, Combination/Certified I/II/III/Senior positions within the Engineering Services Division, Code Inspection Section. These positions will be located subject to business need and provide inspection support at a variety of City facilities, including the Airport, Regional Wastewater Facility and Central Service Yard.

• Conduct inspections of industrial, commercial, manufacturing and facilities to ensure compliance with codes, regulations, ordinances, standards and contract agreements, including setting up inspection schedules, gathering information and evidence, and ensuring conformance to plans, specifications and safety regulations.
• Investigate building, construction and land use changes in the field by gathering factual data to ascertain present use of land and location of structures; conduct background investigations and research; and prepare reports that serve as evidence.
• Provide technical assistance for development of codes and policies.
• Generate written reports and enforcement orders, noting deficiencies in standards and submitting final documentation.
• Review plans and specifications for compliance with codes, assisting in projects in complying with regulations, prioritizing deficiencies, and preparing timetables.
• Provide technical support for agencies and the public, inputting data into system for general public access.
• Meet with architects, engineers, City officials, and building contractors to discuss construction projects.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Experience:

• Building Inspector Combination: Four years of construction experience equivalent to a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, air conditioning mechanic, or related contractor, including one year of lead experience, or two years of combination inspection experience for a public agency and two years of construction related experience.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified I: Four years of construction experience equivalent to a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, air conditioning mechanic, or related contractor, including one year of lead experience, or two years of inspection experience for a public agency and two years of construction related experience.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified II: Four years of construction experience equivalent to a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, air conditioning mechanic, or related contractor, including one year of lead experience and one year of inspection experience for a public agency. Two additional years of inspection experience for a public agency may be substituted for two years of construction experience.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified III: Four years of construction experience equivalent to a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, air conditioning mechanic, or related contractor, including one year of lead experience and two years of inspection experience for a public agency. Two additional years of inspection experience for a public agency may be substituted for two years of construction experience.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified Senior: Four years of construction experience equivalent to a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, air conditioning mechanic, or related contractor, including one year of lead experience and three years of inspection experience for a public agency. Two additional years of inspection experience for a public agency may be substituted for two years of construction experience.

Acceptable Substitution: Closely related college level courses such as classes in construction, architecture, fire protection and engineering or equivalent from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required contractor or journey level construction experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years.

Licensing/Certification Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License.
• Building Inspector Combination: Obtain and maintain valid commercial certification issued by an agency acceptable to the City in the employee’s specialty area as soon as possible but no later than twelve months from the employee’s start date in the classification.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified I: Possess and maintain valid commercial certification issued by an agency acceptable to the City in the employee’s specialty area.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified II: Possess and maintain valid commercial certifications issued by an agency acceptable to the City in the employee’s specialty trade and in one additional commercial specialty trade.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified III: Possess and maintain valid commercial certifications issued by an agency acceptable to the City in the employee’s specialty trade and in two additional commercial specialty trades.
• Building Inspector Combination Certified Senior: Possess and maintain valid commercial certifications issued by an agency acceptable to the City in the employee’s specialty trade and in three additional commercial specialty trades either through maintaining individual certifications, or through maintaining a Commercial Combination Inspector certificate which represents commercial certifications in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical or in two additional commercial specialty trades and one other certification such as Plan Review or CASP.

Form 700

This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Background Investigation Process

Eligible candidates will complete a Class C Background packet. Upon successful completion and review of the background investigation, the hiring board will make their employment selections. Those selected will move forward in the hiring process.

Other Qualifications

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and skill in applicable construction laws, rules, codes and regulations; inspection practices; judicial procedures and practices; public administration principles; basic building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, construction and safety principles; using electrical or mechanical measuring tools; performing inspections; reading and interpreting technical documents, plans, ordinances and blueprints; operating photographic and video equipment to document evidence; preparing sketches and drawings.

Communication Skills – Communicates and listens effectively and responds in a timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat and in proper grammatical form.

Conflict Management – Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people.

Customer Service – Approaches problem‑solving by focusing on customers first; advocates for customer results point of view; demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.

Decision Making/Problem Solving – Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; ability to use good judgment, make ethical decisions and work with City policy; approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information.

Flexibility – Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.

Reliability – Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Demonstrates a positive attitude and flexibility along with the ability to develop effective relationships with co‑workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

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 job specific questions. 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. The City of San José 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.

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. Candidates are encouraged 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.