ENGINEERING INSPECTOR

City of San Marcos; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

9/80 schedule

Medical premiums 90%

Dental and vision

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

CalPERS retirement

Social Security participation

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The City of San Marcos is seeking a full-time Engineering Inspector in the Construction Management Division to oversee and inspect private land development and capital improvement projects. You will ensure construction complies with approved plans, standards, and contract requirements.

Responsibilities include field inspections of streets, drainage, sidewalks, and related Public Works improvements; prepare daily reports, review plans, coordinate with consultants, and enforce safety and traffic

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to high school graduation; additional Public Works training is desirable.
• 3–5 years of Public Works inspection experience or 5–10 years of Public Works construction experience.
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

Responsibilities

• Inspect grading, streets, drainage, concrete structures, and related public works improvements.
• Review construction plans and specifications with contractors and discuss interpretations.
• Prepare daily reports, SWPPP, progress payments, and maintain project files.
• Coordinate with City consultants to align scheduling with construction progress.
• Enforce traffic control plans and safety requirements with firmness and tact.

Skills

Public Works inspection

Construction plan interpretation

Traffic control plans

SWPPP knowledge

Field inspections

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

The City of San Marcos' Construction Management Division of the Development Services Department is excited to offer a great full-time Engineering Inspector position!

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a qualified candidate with experience in public works inspection who can effectively oversee and inspect construction activities associated with private land development and capital improvement projects. Under general supervision, the ideal candidate will have experience inspecting grading, street and drainage improvements, concrete structures, general surface improvements, stormwater pollution prevention practices, and other public works construction. This position is responsible for ensuring construction is performed in accordance with approved plans, specifications, applicable standards, and contract requirements.

THE RIGHT PERKS

The Engineering Inspector position offers an outstanding benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary
• 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off
• Employer-paid medical premiums at 90%
• Dental and vision benefits
• Fourteen paid holidays annually
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• Participation in the CalPERS retirement system
• Social Security participation
• Tuition reimbursement program, which may also be used toward eligible student loan payments

Please review the Benefits tab for complete details regarding the City's benefits package.

Application Period Closes: 4:00pm, October 26, 2026

First Interview: November 5, 2026

Second Interview: November 16, 2026

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Inspects the construction methods and materials used in the construction of Public Works improvements; inspects Public Works improvements such as streets grading, structural sections, asphalt and concrete pavements, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting, related traffic signal construction, retaining walls, inlets, cleanouts, storm drain systems, outlets, basins, post construction BMPs (per TCBMP), dissipaters, pipe, trench excavations, backfill, and various conduits.
• Inspects new construction and construction within existing improvements; inspects and ensures traffic control setups comply with approved traffic control plans; also inspects work related to right-of-way and encroachment permits.
• Reviews and interprets construction plans and specifications; interacts with contractors on interpretation and requirements of plans and specifications; consults with supervisor and/or design engineer on interpretations, deviations, and changes.
• Reports, records, and documents inspections, observations, and conditions found during the inspection process for Capital Improvement and Private Development Projects; measures items of work and prepares working documents related to Capital Improvement Project construction and contract administration such as daily reports, weekly statement of working days, quantity sheets, employee interview forms, etc.
• Prepares daily reports, SWPPP and progress payment applications and maintains project files.
• Obtains, reviews, and files documents related to construction such as soils reports, materials testing results, survey documents, delivery tickets, etc.
• Coordinates the timing of work performed by City consultants, such as soils engineering and survey parties, to the progress of construction; examines conditions existing within rights-of-way.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Approved street construction methods and materials; approved drainage system construction methods and materials; survey party techniques of setting line and grade; compressive strength values of earth and aggregates; methods and materials of underground construction and safety requirements; and basic formulas for converting material volumes to weight and other units of measure; knowledge of proper traffic control implementation and requirements; understands ADA standards and specifications.

Ability to:

Read and interpret public works construction plans, SWPPPs, traffic control plans, grade sheets and specifications, apply proper inspection techniques to obtain specified construction defined by City requirements and contract award documents; gauge grades and mixes of asphaltic and cement concrete construction materials; estimate quantities; make accurate arithmetical calculations; utilize in the field wireless technology and desktop technologies for updates, reports and communications; proficiency with modern office technologies including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with City employees, contractors, utilities and members of the public; enforce requirements with firmness and tact; and demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training

Education equivalent to graduation from high school. Additional education and certifications in areas related to Public Works construction methods, techniques, quality control and management are highly desirable.

Experience

Three (3) to Five (5) years of Public Works inspection Experience OR Five (5) to Ten (10) years of Public Works Construction experience in related fields which enables the employee to successfully perform the duties outlined above.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record.

Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) certificate must be obtained within 18 months of appointment.