Engineering Inspector

City of Santa Fe Springs; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte County is seeking a field inspector to ensure county construction and utility projects meet approved plans, specifications and regulatory standards. The role involves inspecting roads, drainage, and related infrastructure, reviewing plans and pay requests, and maintaining detailed field records.

You will work with contractors, engineers, and county departments, identifying deficiencies, verifying materials, and recommending corrections in the field.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with vocational/technical training in civil engineering or construction.
• Five years of experience in utility/road construction and inspection.

Responsibilities

• Inspect public works and utility projects (roads, drainage, bridges) and verify compliance with plans and standards.
• Review plans, specifications and pay requests; identify construction deficiencies and recommend corrections.
• Maintain detailed field records and assist with as-built drawings and project documentation.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and improved project outcomes.
• Investigate concerns related to roads, drainage, and rights-of-way in the field.
• Collaborate with contractors, engineers and county departments to ensure safe, quality work.

Skills

Field inspection

Documentation

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma + technical training in civil engineering

Tools

3M Dynatell 1420 EMS locator

Ground-penetrating radar

Microsoft Office

Job description

How You Can Help Us Make a Difference

Are you detail-oriented, technically minded, and comfortable working independently in the field?

The responsibilities highlighted in bold reflect the core functions of the position being applied for; additional responsibilities outlined below may become part of their assigned duties, based on operational needs.

In this role, you’ll help ensure County construction and infrastructure projects are completed safely, accurately, and in accordance with approved plans, specifications, and regulatory standards.

You’ll inspect a variety of public works and utility projects, including roads, bridges, drainage systems, sidewalks, utility lines, and related infrastructure. From reviewing grades, asphalt, concrete, pipes, and construction materials to observing utility testing and verifying permit compliance, you’ll play an important role in maintaining the quality and integrity of County projects.

Working closely with contractors, engineers, and County departments, you’ll review plans and specifications, identify construction deficiencies, verify materials and testing requirements, and recommend corrections when needed. You’ll also maintain detailed field records, assist with as-built drawings, review project documentation and pay requests, and help identify opportunities for cost savings and improved project outcomes.

Your expertise will also support the community by investigating concerns related to roads, drainage, excavation, rights-of-way, construction activities, and other infrastructure issues. Because much of the work is performed independently, you’ll rely on your technical knowledge, sound judgment, and problem‑solving skills to make informed decisions in the field.

If you enjoy being out in the field, working with construction and engineering professionals, and seeing projects take shape from the ground up, this is an opportunity to make a visible impact on the infrastructure that serves our community every day.

Your Purpose & Day-To-Day Journey

Education And Experience

An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent, supplemented by vocational or technical training in civil engineering, construction.
• Five (5) years of experience in utility and road construction, and inspection.

Licenses And/or Certificates

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Depending on area of assignment, may be required to possess and maintain the following certifications:
• Intermediate Maintenance of Traffic
• Work Zone Safety
• Stormwater
• Erosion
• Sediment Control
• Accessibility of Public Rights of Way
• First Aid and CPR

Education & Credentials That Power This Role

You have a strong understanding of public works and utility construction, including drainage systems, streets and sidewalks, excavation, erosion control, and water/wastewater distribution and collection systems.

You are familiar with basic civil engineering principles, County codes and regulations, construction quality standards, and safe practices for confined spaces, trenching, and shoring.

You are comfortable reading and interpreting construction plans, diagrams, specifications, and blueprints and can identify defective workmanship, construction deficiencies, and potentially hazardous conditions. You use sound judgment to evaluate work in progress, recognize when corrections are needed, and ensure construction activities meet applicable standards and requirements.

You are skilled in using hand tools and electronic utility-locating equipment, including the 3M Dynatell 1420 EMS locator and ground‑penetrating radar equipment.

You are also comfortable using Microsoft Office and other job-related software to maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and document field activities.

You are organized, dependable, and able to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and work varying hours based on construction schedules. You communicate effectively with contractors, coworkers, service providers, and the public and can provide clear guidance while applying policies and regulations professionally and consistently.

Above all, you bring strong attention to detail, a safety-focused mindset, and the ability to build positive working relationships while helping ensure County construction and infrastructure projects are completed safely and to established standards.

Extra Details You Should Know

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, climbing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work typically requires moderate exposure to one or more disagreeable conditions (i.e., irate customers, outdoors weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme heat, odors or dust).

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

This position requires moderate exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Charlotte County is an affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

Charlotte County is an affirmative action, ADA and equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

As a veterans' preference employer, certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans’ preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply. In addition, certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.

All positions with Charlotte County may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Program and/or County policy.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive benefits package to regular full-time employees.