Engineering Inspector I/II

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

Job summary

The City of Paso Robles is seeking an Engineering Inspector I/II to perform field inspections of public and private infrastructure projects, ensuring construction complies with approved plans, standards, and regulations. This role emphasizes field problem-solving, collaboration with multiple stakeholders, and delivering durable infrastructure for the community.

Wage ranges for Engineering Inspector I and II are provided, with a 9/80 work schedule and potential adjustments based on operational

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; Engineer Inspector I requires 1 year of related public works/inspection experience; Engineer II requires 2 years in similar duties.

Responsibilities

• Inspect public/private construction projects within rights-of-way and public easements to verify compliance with plans, permits, and standards.
• Read and interpret engineering plans, specifications, surveys, and details to ensure conformity with approved designs.
• Verify construction methods, materials, dimensions, elevations, testing, and installation per regulations.
• Prepare daily inspection reports, correction notices, field records, and photos documenting activities.
• Identify deficiencies, explain corrective actions, and coordinate with contractors for timely resolutions.
• Coordinate inspections with contractors, developers, engineers, architects, utilities, consultants, testing labs, and City staff.

Skills

Field inspections

Plan reading

Coordination

Documentation

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Permit tracking systems

Document management

Job description

Build a stronger community, one project at a time. The City of Paso Robles is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative engineering inspector I/II to perform field inspections of public and private infrastructure projects, ensuring construction complies with approved plans, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for a knowledgeable professional who enjoys working in the field, solving problems, collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, and helping deliver quality infrastructure that serves the community for years to come.

Wage Range Engineering Inspector I: $34.34 - $42.92 per hour

Engineering Inspector II: $40.01 - $52.01 per hour

This position is assigned a 9/80 work schedule, with employees working nine-hour days and receiving every other Friday off. Other work schedules may be considered based on operational demands.

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the heart of California’s scenic Central Coast, Paso Robles - short for El Paso de Robles, or "The Pass of the Oaks" - offers a unique blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and modern opportunity. Originally founded around its famous mineral hot springs and rich agricultural heritage, Paso Robles has grown into a dynamic and thriving community. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool evenings, ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills, majestic oak trees, and panoramic vineyard views, Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life.

Paso Robles’ central location within San Luis Obispo County offers residents easy access to a wide array of cultural, educational, and recreational attractions. Just a short 30-minute drive south lies California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), a nationally ranked institution known for its hands-on learning and innovation. This proximity fosters strong connections to cutting edge research, continuing education, and a highly educated talent pool. To the west, scenic Highway 1 leads to the iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a historic landmark that draws visitors from around the world with its stunning architecture and sweeping coastal views. Within the county, residents can also enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Morro Bay, Cambria, and Pismo Beach, as well as the eclectic energy of downtown San Luis Obispo. From wine tasting and hiking to art galleries, surf spots, and farmers’ markets, San Luis Obispo County offers an exceptional quality of life.

Today, Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region, home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping, award-winning restaurants, and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival, California Mid-State Fair, and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options, good schools, a welcoming business environment, and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or someone looking to make a lifestyle change, the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity, community, and California charm.

The Organization

The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1, 2025, the City's population has grown to approximately 31,061, reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the City's high quality of life, strong community identity, and comprehensive municipal services.

The City is a full-service municipality, meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection, emergency medical response, water and wastewater utilities, parks and recreation, planning and development services, public works, and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive, effective, and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe, sustainable, and vibrant community.

The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor, elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees, with the exception of the City Attorney.

The City operates with a total annual budget of $148.5 million for fiscal year 2026-27 and employs 311.97 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Community Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Police, Public Works, and Utilities.

The Department

Community Development helps shape what Paso Robles looks like today and where it is headed tomorrow. From new neighborhoods and businesses to improvements that connect people and places, the department works with the community, property owners, developers, and City partners to turn plans into projects that become part of the community.

At the heart of that process is the Engineering Division, where plans become real infrastructure. The division reviews and inspects private development projects and improvements that connect to the City's infrastructure, ensuring they are built to City standards and meet applicable codes and regulations. From streets, sidewalks, and drainage to water and sewer improvements, the Engineering Division helps make sure development is safe, functional, and built to last.

The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties set forth below and/or may be required to perform additional related duties to address City needs and evolving business practices.

• Inspects public and private construction projects located within or impacting public rights-of-way and public easements, including streets, sidewalks, curb and gutter, grading, storm drainage, water, wastewater, utilities, traffic control, and other public infrastructure improvements to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, permits, engineering standards, and applicable codes.
• Reads and interprets engineering plans, specifications, surveys, standard details, grading plans, and related construction documents to verify compliance with approved designs and City standards.
• Verifies construction methods, materials, workmanship, dimensions, elevations, testing, and installation for compliance with approved plans, specifications, and applicable regulations.
• Documents inspection activities by preparing daily inspection reports, correction notices, field records, photographs, and other project documentation.
• Identifies deficiencies and deviations from approved plans; explains required corrective actions; verifies completion of corrections; and coordinates with contractors and project representatives to facilitate timely resolution.
• Coordinates inspection activities with contractors, developers, engineers, architects, utility companies, consultants, testing laboratories, and City staff throughout construction.
• Performs field observations and collaborates with City staff to resolve construction, design, and infrastructure issues.
• Reviews and processes permits related to work within public rights-of-way and public easements.
• Responds to inquiries regarding engineering permits, construction standards, inspection requirements, City policies, codes, procedures, and project status.
• Assists project applicants in understanding applicable City requirements, permit conditions, inspection procedures, and project timelines.
• Coordinates required materials testing, geotechnical testing, and special inspections with testing laboratories and consultants, and reviews related documentation for compliance.
• Maintains accurate inspection records, permit files, and project information using permit tracking and document management systems.
• Assists with the review and recommendation of revisions to engineering standards, standard specifications, design criteria, policies, procedures, and plans.
• Participates in continuing education and training to maintain knowledge of changing construction methods, engineering practices, technologies, and applicable codes.
• Provides exemplary customer service by demonstrating professionalism, responsiveness, fairness, respect, and accountability in all interactions.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, materials, and equipment used in public works and civil construction.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, engineering standards, specifications, and departmental policies governing public infrastructure construction and inspection.
• Principles and techniques of civil construction inspection related to streets, grading, concrete, stormwater, water, wastewater, utilities, traffic control, erosion control, and public improvements.
• Methods and techniques used to inspect construction work for compliance with approved plans, specifications, permits, and engineering standards.
• Construction plans, engineering drawings, surveys, specifications, standard details, and technical reports.
• Materials testing procedures, quality assurance practices, and acceptance standards applicable to civil construction.
• Safe work practices and applicable occupational safety regulations.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication techniques.
• Computer applications related to the work, including permit tracking systems, document management systems, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and email applications.
• Techniques for providing effective customer service to contractors, developers, consultants, City staff, regulatory agencies, and the public.

Ability to:

• Inspect public infrastructure improvements for compliance with approved plans, specifications, permits, engineering standards, and applicable regulations.
• Accurately read, interpret, and apply engineering plans, specifications, surveys, standard details, technical reports, maps, and legal descriptions.
• Detect deficiencies and deviations from approved construction documents and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Interpret and consistently apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, engineering standards, and departmental policies.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and complete inspection reports, correspondence, correction notices, and project documentation.
• Effectively coordinate inspection activities with contractors, engineers, consultants, utility companies, regulatory agencies, City staff, and property owners.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies, procedures, and technical standards.
• Organize and prioritize multiple inspections and assignments while meeting project schedules and deadlines.
• Research and interpret construction documents, permits, reports, survey information, easements, and legal agreements.
• Operate computer systems and software related to inspection, permitting, documentation, and recordkeeping.
• Perform accurate mathematical calculations related to construction measurements, quantities, grades, elevations, and materials.
• Communicate technical information clearly and professionally.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, developers, consultants, City staff, and the public.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable construction methods, engineering practices, technologies, codes, and regulations.
• Follow safe work practices; use required personal protective equipment; identify potential hazards; and perform inspections safely in active construction environments.

Human Relations and Communications Skills

Requires frequent internal and external contact to carry out organizational programs, explain specialized matters, or enforce laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures. May include occasional contact with higher-level officials requiring cooperation, explanation, and persuasion.

Analytical Skills and Complexity

Engineering Inspector I: Applies a variety of procedures, policies, and/or precedents and uses moderate analytical ability to adapt standard methods to specific facts and conditions.

Engineering Inspector II: Exercises considerable analytical ability to select, evaluate, and interpret data from multiple sources. Requires interpretation and application of guidelines, policies, and procedures to determine appropriate actions.

Education and Experience

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Possession of a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; and
• Engineering Inspector I: One year of increasingly responsible experience in public works, construction, utilities, engineering support, surveying, construction management, inspection, or a related field involving the interpretation of plans, specifications, or technical standards.
• Engineering Inspector II: In addition to the qualifications listed above, two years of experience performing duties comparable in scope and complexity to those of an engineering inspector I.

Licenses and Certifications

Requires possession of the following:

• A valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record.

A Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII) certificate issued by the American Public Works Association is desirable.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Engineering inspector I is the entry-level classification in the series. Incumbents perform basic to intermediate level work involving the inspection of public and private improvements while developing knowledge of construction methods, engineering standards, applicable codes, inspection techniques, departmental procedures, and permit requirements. Work is performed under guidance within established policies and procedures. Employees develop proficiency in interpreting plans and specifications, documenting inspection findings, coordinating with contractors, and ensuring compliance with approved plans and City standards sufficient to advance to the journey level.

Engineering inspector II is the journey-level classification in the series. Incumbents independently perform the full range of intermediate-level work involving the inspections of public and private improvements. Assignments are broader in scope and greater in complexity than those assigned to the engineering inspector I and require the exercise of independent judgment in interpreting approved plans, specifications, engineering standards, permits, and applicable laws and regulations; coordinating construction activities with contractors, engineers, utility companies, consultants, and regulatory agencies; resolving field issues; documenting construction progress; and recommending acceptance of completed improvements. Employees possess comprehensive knowledge of engineering inspection practices, applicable construction standards, and departmental procedures; independently analyze field conditions, identify compliance issues, determine appropriate corrective actions, and serve as a technical resource to staff, contractors, and the public.

Career Advancement

The engineering inspector I/II classification is a flexibly staffed series. Advancement within the series shall be based on demonstrated proficiency in the work; possession of the required knowledge, skills, competencies, and abilities; and recommendation of the department director.

Employees eligible for advancement to the next level in the series must have served a minimum of six months satisfactory performance at their current wage step prior to reclassification. Reclassification shall become effective the first day of the pay period following written approval from the department director. If a performance evaluation has not been completed within the preceding 6 months, a current evaluation demonstrating continued satisfactory performance must accompany the recommendation for advancement.

The full job description, including physical demands and working conditions, is available on the Job Descriptions page of the City’s website.

This is a confidential recruitment. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. All information provided in application materials is subject to verification. False statements may result in disqualification or discharge.

Appointment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, psychological examination, and polygraph examination, and successfully completing a background investigation and criminal history check. Before beginning employment, applicants must provide documentation of identity and authorization