Building Inspector I/II

County of Riverside; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Riverside is seeking Building Inspectors across multiple regional offices to perform complex residential and commercial inspections for compliance with state and local codes. The roles emphasize field work, customer service, and accurate documentation in a county-wide setting.

Positions require knowledge of construction methods and safety requirements, with opportunities for growth to Inspector II with additional prerequisites and certifications.

Qualifications

• High school graduation required; California Certificate of Proficiency or satisfactory GED
• ICC B1 Residential Inspector or B2 Commercial Inspector certification required for advancing to interview
• Experience inspecting both residential and commercial projects and explaining regulations

Responsibilities

• Assist the public with permit applications and plan checks; provide forms and information
• Perform field inspections at required stages of construction and document results
• Review plans for compliance with building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and accessibility codes
• Enter inspection data into permit tracking systems and communicate findings to stakeholders
• Coordinate with applicants and other agencies; attend training and update knowledge on codes

Skills

Field inspections

Code knowledge

Communication

Public service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

California Certificate of Proficiency or GED

ICC B1/B2 Residential/Commercial Inspector certification

Tools

Permit tracking software

Word processing software

Job description

The County of Riverside’s Transportation & Land Management Agency (TLMA) – Building & Safety Department is seeking motivated, knowledgeable, and customer-focused Building Inspectors to join our team across multiple regional offices. These positions perform complex residential and commercial building inspections to ensure compliance with state and local codes, ordinances, and regulations.

Competitive candidates at all levels will demonstrate:

• Hands-on experience conducting field inspections for residential and commercial projects
• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, safety requirements, and state/local building codes
• Experience overseeing construction projects through all phases — foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and final occupancy inspections
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with contractors, property owners, developers, and the public
• A commitment to excellence, accuracy, and timely service delivery

These roles offer the opportunity to contribute directly to community safety, support responsible development, and ensure high-quality building practices throughout Riverside County.

Building Inspector I: $34.69 - $46.55 hourly
Building Inspector II: $40.85 - $54.85 hourly

MEET THE TEAM!

The County of Riverside Transportation & Land Management Agency (TLMA) is the umbrella agency for seven county departments. They are the Planning Department, Building & Safety Department, Transportation Department, Code Enforcement Department, Environmental Programs Department, Aviation Department and the Administrative Services Department.

BUILDING INSPECTOR I: To advance to an interview, a valid International Code Council (ICC) B1: Residential Inspector or B2: Commercial Inspector certification must be listed in your application.

BUILDING INSPECTOR II: To advance to an interview, a valid International Code Council (ICC) B5: Building Inspector [Prerequisites: B1: Residential Building Inspector and B2: Commercial Building Inspector].

BUILDING INSPECTOR I

• Assist the public in completing applications for building permits; receive building plans for plan checks and provide necessary procedures, forms, and information.
• Learn to determine whether proposed structures conform to accepted standards regarding type of construction, specified construction materials, occupancy, building location, and appropriate land use requirements; input data into the permit tracking and financial software programs according to established procedures.
• Provide public information over the counter and by telephone concerning the issuance and fee schedule for building and water quality permits.
• Make field inspections of simple structures under the direct supervision of a qualified building inspector; with experience and proficiency, check non-technical building plans, collect fees, issue permits, and perform field inspection work under less close supervision.
• Attend in-service training classes covering all phases of plan check and building inspection work; confer regularly with supervisory staff concerning training needs and progress.

BUILDING INSPECTOR II

• Inspect buildings and structures being built, altered, moved, or rehabilitated for compliance to building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and accessibility, and mobile home codes, regulations, and ordinances; inspect work at each of the required stages of completion and indicate corrective action if necessary.
• Review plans for compliance to building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and accessibility, and mobile home codes, regulations, and ordinances; determine whether proposed structures conform to accepted standards regarding type of construction, specified construction materials, occupancy, building location, and appropriate land use requirements.
• Receive permit applications and issue permits at the public counter; coordinate with other permitting agencies; input data into the permit tracking and financial software programs according to established procedures.
• Conduct initial and follow-up inspections/investigations pertaining to environmental enforcement, including, but not limited to, water quality, habitat conservation, grading inspections, or code violations.
• Explain regulations to builders, contractors, property owners, and the general public regarding necessary plans and information needed for the issuance of permits; attend continuing education classes as required.
• Route scheduled inspections and enter inspection requests and results into laptop/tablet; print inspection corrections for the builder; enter detailed time and labor data into the automated information system on a daily basis.

ALL LEVELS

Education: Graduation from high school, possession of a Certificate of Proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.

Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

BUILDING INSPECTOR I

OPTION I

• Experience: 6 months to 1 year as a permit technician, framing, constructions with the County of Riverside.
• AND
• Valid International Code Council (ICC) B1: Residential Inspector or B2: Commercial Inspector certification.

OPTION II

• Experience: One year of performing building or construction related work or inspection (College level course work in building construction, inspection technology, engineering, architecture, or a closely related field to the assignment may substitute for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 semester/45 quarter units equaling one year of experience.)
• AND
• Valid International Code Council (ICC) B1: Residential Inspector or B2: Commercial Inspector certification.

Knowledge Of: Building and grading codes and regulations, modern building materials, terminology, and practices; the principles of environmental enforcement inspection procedures and methods; permit tracking, financial and word processing software programs.

Ability To: Read and interpret building and grading plans and specifications; read, understand and interpret complex, technical written material; analyze, interpret and accurately review water quality permits and best management practices; make inspections, enforce regulations and detect substandard materials and workmanship; deal tactfully and effectively with builders, contractors and the general public; make accurate data entries and use automated inspection and time labor information using a personal computer.

BUILDING INSPECTOR II

OPTION I

• Experience: One year as a Building Inspector I with the County of Riverside.
• AND
• Valid International Code Council (ICC) B5: Building Inspector [Prerequisites: B1: Residential Building Inspector and B2: Commercial Building Inspector].

OPTION II

• Experience: Two years of experience performing building inspection, grading inspection, plans examining, civil engineering, architecture, or environmental enforcement experience. (College level course work in building construction, inspection technology, engineering, architecture, or a closely related field to the assignment may substitute for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 semester/45 quarter units equaling one year of experience.)
• AND
• Valid International Code Council (ICC) B5: Building Inspector [Prerequisites: B1: Residential Building Inspector and B2: Commercial Building Inspector] Plumbing Inspector and P2: Commercial Plumbing Inspector] certification.

Knowledge of: Building and grading codes and regulations, modern building materials, terminology, and practices; the principles of environmental enforcement inspection procedures and methods; permit tracking, financial and word processing software programs.

Ability to: Read and interpret building and grading plans and specifications; read, understand and interpret complex, technical written material; analyze, interpret and accurately review water quality permits and best management practices; make inspections, enforce regulations and detect substandard materials and workmanship; deal tactfully and effectively with builders, contractors and the general public; make accurate data entries and use automated inspection and time labor information using a personal computer.

For questions regarding this recruitment: Please contact Angela Tavaglione at [e-mail] or [phone]. Please allow 1-2 business days for response.