Construction Inspector

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange is seeking an experienced Construction Inspector to provide inspections of horizontal public works projects and ensure compliance with plans, specs, and safety requirements. You will work on roads, bridges, and flood control channels, documenting conditions and coordinating with contractors and laboratories.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of field construction experience, an AA or higher in a related field (preferred), and proficiency in MS Office.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of horizontal construction experience.
• AA degree or higher in related field or certificate in Public Works Construction desirable.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Enforces compliance with the project specifications and construction plans
• Regularly meets with the contractor or their representatives to discuss the progress of construction
• Inspects the construction activity, including earth-moving operations, paving, and major concrete placements
• Coordinates with OC Surveyor and Materials Laboratory for construction staking and materials testing
• Inspects temporary structures such as shoring, concrete forms, and falsework
• Writes daily inspection diaries, keeps records of materials quantities, and supports monthly pay applications

Skills

Inspection knowledge

Earth-moving operations

Pavement knowledge

MS Office

Education

AA degree or related field / Public Works cert

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Construction Inspector positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PT

OC CONSTRUCTION / OC PUBLIC WORKS

OC Construction provides project management and construction management services for projects on OC Public Works' Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Maintenance Improvement Program (MIP) as well as OC Parks and other County department projects. OC Construction focuses on horizontal projects such as roads, bridges, bikeways, and flood control channels.

OC Public Works (OCPW) provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works’ guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.

OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services; Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Fleet Services; OC Facilities Design & Construction; OC Facilities Maintenance; OC Infrastructure Programs; and OC Operations & Maintenance.

THE OPPORTUNITY

OC Construction is seeking an experienced Construction Inspector to provide critical inspection support within the Capital Project Management Section. Construction Inspectors are responsible for inspections of horizontal public works projects, such as roadways, bikeways, bridges, and flood control channels, and assure that projects are constructed per plans and specifications, comply with regulatory permits, meet standards for stormwater pollution prevention, adequately address public safety and detour requirements, and are completed within the construction contract work duration and price.

Responsibilities and duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Enforces compliance with the project specifications and construction plans
• Regularly meets with the contractor or their representatives to discuss the progress of construction
• Inspects the construction activity, including earth-moving operations, placement of engineering materials and paving for roadway and storm drain improvements, and major concrete placements
• Coordinates with OC Surveyor and Materials Laboratory for construction staking and materials testing
• Inspects temporary structures such as shoring, concrete forms, and falsework
• Writes daily inspection diaries
• Keeps daily records of material quantities, produces supporting documents for monthly payments, and reviews and processes monthly pay applications

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate would possess two (2) or more years of horizontal construction experience (such as general construction field experience, pavement maintenance, materials lab, field surveying, or a combination). Possession of an AA degree or higher in a related field or completion of a certificate in Public Works Construction is highly desirable but not required.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge | Experience

• General knowledge of the principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the technical duties related to the job of a Construction Inspector
• Performing inspections on various horizontal public works projects, including, but not limited to, road, bridge, and flood control
• Basic principles of land surveying, engineering construction, and design
• Familiar with County Standards and Specifications
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and similar software
• Ability to perform basic calculations for Area and Volume of construction quantities

Communication Skills

• Interact effectively with contractors, agencies /departments, and other persons with tact and good judgment
• Effective verbal and written skills
• Foster and maintain positive working relationships
• Demonstrate decisiveness and soundness in judgment
• Work collaboratively in groups

Organizational | Analytical Skills

• Read and interpret related equipment policies & procedures and apply regulations
• Research, collect, analyze cost & other data, and prepare recommendations of findings
• Recognize and prioritize workload
• Identify problems, gather relevant information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Maintain moderately complex records requiring independent judgment and accuracy

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform the job-related essential functions of the position.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Structured Oral Interview (SOI) (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Brian Quinlan at [e-mail] or 714-667-9750.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.