Building Inspector I/II

City of San Carlos

San Carlos (CA)

On-site

USD 71,786 - 95,426

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A local government agency in California is seeking a Building Inspector I/II. The role involves inspecting buildings, ensuring code compliance, and preparing necessary reports. Ideal candidates possess relevant experience and knowledge of building codes. This is a full-time position with a competitive hourly pay range depending on the level. Opportunities for advancement available based on performance.

Qualifications

Possession of a high school diploma is required.
Two years of experience in building construction or inspection.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

Inspects buildings and structures for code conformance.
Issues stop work notices for unpermitted work.
Prepares reports of structural deficiencies.

Skills

Knowledge of building codes

Communication skills

Inspection techniques

Safety standards knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate Science / Arts Degree in construction

Job description

Overview

Building Inspector I/II role at City of San Carlos. Appointment will be made at the I or II level depending upon qualifications.

Base pay range

$52.11/hr - $69.27/hr

The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the City.

Final filing date: Before 5:00pm, Friday, October 31, 2025

Tentative 1st Interview Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Tentative 2nd Interview Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025

About the Position

The City of San Carlos is recruiting for a Building Inspector I/II position. The position will be filled at the I or II level. Appointment will be made at the appropriate level depending upon qualifications.

Building Inspector I

Inspects buildings and structures in various stages of progress using approved plans and codes to determine conformance.
Issues Stop Work Notices in situations where work is performed without benefit of a permit.
Prepares reports of deficiencies with respect to structural stability, sanitation, electrical, adequacy of heating and ventilating facilities, their use, and occupancy. Submits reports to the Building Official for review.
Accepts completed permit applications for review.
Logs applications and updates information in the Building Department computer system.
Reviews residential and less complicated commercial plans for conformance to adopted codes.
Prepares plan check comments and correspondence with applicants. Prepares permit fees and issues permits as directed.
Receives and investigates building complaints from the public.
Investigates NPDES complaints from the public or staff as directed and prepares reports and posts necessary notices as directed by the Building Official.
Maintains the designated permitting software selected by the City. Suggests improvements to the overall efficiency of the system. Relays the use of the system to other members of the Building Division staff and assists them in its use.

Building Inspector II

Inspects buildings in a thorough manner, detecting errors and deviations from approved plans. Ensures compliance with codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos. Resolves problems in the field in a timely and friendly manner.
Checks to ensure the quality of building materials and methods used in construction, or alterations, are in conformance with codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos.
Provides useful and helpful information to builders and others regarding Federal, State, and local construction requirements, and may assist the Building Official in training of other inspectors.
Checks building sites to ensure proper building permits have been obtained for the work performed, and takes appropriate action to correct violations if necessary.
Issues correction notices for code violations and recommends action to the Building Official if corrections are not made.
Makes and keeps accurate logs and records regarding building inspections, violation notices, investigations, and related information. Ensures the logs and records are up-to-date, legible, complete, and descriptive of the problems encountered and how they were resolved.
Maintains a current, thorough working knowledge of relevant building codes and standards, and is able to correctly interpret and apply them. Studies new materials and methods of building construction to keep abreast of changing technology in the building construction industry.
Recommends issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to the Building Official after conducting a final inspection of completed work and approval of structures and installations.
Anticipates construction problems, and consistently takes steps to minimize the amount of corrective work needed by communicating with the applicant or contractor.
Reads and understands approved building plans. Effectively interprets plans while conducting field checks and analyzes building construction plans in a timely manner to ensure compliance with applicable codes and policies. Identifies needed corrections and issues correction notices clearly explaining items to be addressed.
Maintains up-to-date, accurate commentaries of plan errors, and assists with permits and applications at the service counter.

Job-Related and Essential Qualifications

Building Inspector I

Knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes and the ordinances enforced by the City of San Carlos; Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of building inspection, building materials, and construction tools; Knowledge of accepted safety standards and modern methods of building construction. Computer proficiency is required.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster cooperative working relations with all constituents, including co-workers, in the course of work.

Building Inspector II

Knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes and the ordinances enforced by the City of San Carlos; Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of combination inspection; Knowledge of building materials, construction tools, accepted safety standards, and modern methods of building construction.

Ability and skills to read and interpret building plans, diagrams, specifications and building codes. Detect poor workmanship, inferior materials, hazards from fire or collapse, and deviations from plans. Ability to recognize workplace safety hazards and necessary corrective action. With firmness and tact, enforce laws, codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos. Schedule and coordinate own workload and work independently. Maintain accurate and complete records. Analyze facts and exercise good independent judgment. Learn, retain, interpret and use technical knowledge related to changes in Federal, State and local laws related to building. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster cooperative working relations with all constituents, including co-workers, in the course of work.

Education and Training

Building Inspector I

Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency, or a high school proficiency certificate is required. Two years of experience in the building construction field as a licensed contractor, journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber or equivalent experience; or two years inspection experience with a municipal building department with at least one year experience above the trainee level. Possession of an Associate Science / Arts Degree with a major in construction and building inspection may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Building Inspector II

Graduation from high school, and any combination of training or experience equivalent to engineering, architectural, or building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspection; or four years of journey level experience in the building trades; or four years as a building construction contractor performing a wide variety of work in the building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical fields.

Special Requirements

Speak clearly and understandably. Ability to read and hear voices and telephones. Visual acuity to quickly and accurately review and interpret plans and diagrams and make inspections. Ability to inspect construction sites requiring physical flexibility and dexterity, including the ability to continually stand, bend, stoop, reach, crouch and climb. Normal color vision required.

Licenses and Certifications

Building Inspector I

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license with a satisfactory driving record. ICC Building Inspector certification required within the first year of employment.

Building Inspector I position may expect advancement to Building Inspector II position upon completion of 2 years with the City of San Carlos as a Building Inspector I; and performance evaluation ratings of satisfactory or above; and ICC certification as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Inspector, or equivalent; and upon recommendation by Building Official.

Building Inspector II

Possession of minimum Class C California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. ICC certification as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Inspector, or equivalent, is required.

Hourly Salary Range

Building Inspector I: $52.11 - $63.34

Building Inspector II: $56.99 - $69.27

Seniority level