District Inspector (Associate Civil Engineering Specialist)

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and long-term disability

Job summary

The City of Seattle, through SDOT, seeks a District Inspector (Associate Civil Engineering Specialist) to inspect and enforce permits for right-of-way work in a designated Seattle district. You will ensure compliance with Title 15, city standards, and ROW procedures.

Ideal candidates have two years of Civil Engineering experience, an Associates Degree or equivalent coursework, and a valid WA driver’s license. The role requires strong written and verbal communication and field readiness.

Qualifications

• Requires two years of experience in Civil Engineering.
• Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or two years of college coursework in engineering and construction technology.
• Current Washington State driver’s license or ability to obtain by start date.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and articulating field reports, codes, ordinances, plans, and specs.

Responsibilities

• Enforce codes and ordinances via inspections and issue warnings, citations, and stop work orders as needed.
• Interpret and enforce installation of approved plans.
• Enforce erosion/sediment control and ROW requirements per Title 15 and other standards.
• Coordinate job starts in districts to minimize public ROW disruption.
• Maintain records of daily work and citations/stop work orders.
• Support SDOT goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Code interpretation

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Accela database

Field inspection tools

Education

Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technology

Two years of college coursework in engineering & construction technology

Tools

Accela permitting database

Level

Soil probe

Job description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Position Overview:

SDOT's Street Use Division is looking to hire a District Inspector (under the City's classification of Associate Civil Engineering Specialist) who conducts inspections and enforcement on permitted construction and temporary uses of the right-of-way (ROW) for compliance with Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code, City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications, and the Right-of-Way Improvements Manual. The District Inspector will be responsible for inspections and enforcement in a designated geographic area of the City of Seattle. This position will report to the Inspections Supervisor.

• Enforce compliance of codes and ordinances through in-person inspection visits and the issuance (if necessary) of Warnings, Citations, and Stop Work Orders.
• Interpret and enforce installation of approved plans.
• Enforce erosion/sediment control that impacts the city ROW though Best Management Practices. Enforce compliance of Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code, City of Seattle Standards Plans and Specifications, and the Right-of-Way (ROW) Improvements manual. Maintain the highest level of customer service through such actions as reviewing complaints, responding promptly to email/letters, interacting with other departments and employees, undertaking special site visits on request.
• Conduct pre-construction meetings. Coordinate job starts in districts in order to minimize disruption to the public ROW.
• Maintain record of daily work and issuance of citations, warnings, and Stop Work Orders.
• Supporting SDOT goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires two (2) years of experience in Civil Engineering;
• An Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) years of college level coursework in engineering and construction technology;

OR:

• Current Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one by start date.

Successful candidates will possess many of these additional qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

• Experience working for a municipal transportation department, a plus.
• Ability to read, interpret, and articulate Field Report Requests, applicable codes, ordinances, plans and spec, cut sheets, Right-of-Way Improvement Manual, and street/sidewalk pavement opening and restoration rules, parts of the Land Use Code, and other applicable rules and regulations. Experience in construction inspection and code interpretation.
• Experience in the use of various construction/inspection tools/equipment (e.g. level, and soil probe, ETC.).
• Experience in Engineering Plan Review, permit issuance, and/or public works maintenance and/or inspection.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate, and facilitate issues/concerns in various environments.
• Proficient with a variety of electronic devices, including Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience and/or proficiency with Accela permitting database, a plus.
• Effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including background check.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $53.60- $62.40 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Who May Apply:

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.