Mechanical Inspector I

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego seeks a Mechanical Inspector I to perform plumbing, gas, and HVAC inspections in new and existing buildings. The role includes preparing reports, issuing correction notices, and maintaining records while ensuring compliance with codes at municipal facilities and sites.

Applicants must meet one of several education/experience paths, including a mechanical eng degree or related trades apprenticeship, with potential for ME Inspector II advancement.

Qualifications

• Four options satisfy minimum requirements: degree + experience, or experience with government/contractor inspections, or design review experience, or journey-level plumbing/HVAC work.
• Associates degree or trade certificate can substitute one year of experience as described.
• Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering can substitute two years of experience as described.
• Apprenticeship programs can substitute multiple years of experience as described.

Responsibilities

• Inspect plumbing, gas, HVAC in new buildings and repairs.
• Inspect multi-family, commercial, and industrial structures for code compliance.
• Prepare reports, notes, and correction notices; maintain records.

Skills

Mechanical inspection

Plumbing knowledge

HVAC knowledge

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

AS degree or certificate in Construction Inspection/Building Construction Technology

Mechanical/Plumbing Apprenticeship Program certification

Job description

See NOTE(S) below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT:

• Mechanical Inspector II

Mechanical Inspector I positions perform mechanical and plumbing inspections of plumbing, gas, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) in new buildings, and repair or renovation work in existing buildings; inspect multi-family residential, commercial and industrial buildings for compliance with local, state, and federal codes and regulations; prepare reports and maintain records; prepare correction notices; may assist in training; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Mechanical Inspector I employees may be required to perform job-related work in high‑rise structures.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. One year of full‑time experience performing general plumbing or heating, ventilating, air‑conditioning (HVAC) installation and repair work AND a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
2. Two years of full‑time professional experience with a governmental jurisdiction or a private company contracting with a governmental jurisdiction performing mechanical/plumbing inspections of multi‑family residential and/or commercial structures.
3. Three years of full‑time experience reviewing/designing mechanical/plumbing plans for conformance to mechanical/plumbing codes with a governmental jurisdiction or a private company contracting with a governmental jurisdiction.
4. Four years of full‑time experience performing all phases of journey‑level plumbing or heating, ventilating, air‑conditioning (HVAC), installation and repair work.

NOTES:

• An Associate of Science Degree/Community College Certificate in Construction Inspection, Building Construction Technology, or Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (Environmental Control Technology) can be used to substitute one year of experience as detailed in option 2.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering can be used to substitute two years of experience as detailed in option 3.
• Completion of a state‑accredited four or five‑year Mechanical/Plumbing, or Air‑Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship Program can be used to substitute three years of experience as detailed in option 4.
• Possession of a contractor's license is NOT qualifying as a substitution for a college degree or certificate.
• City of San Diego employees using Out‑of‑Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

CERTIFICATION

A valid International Code Council (ICC) Mechanical or Plumbing Inspector certificate will be required within two years from date of hire.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

NOTE:

• You must provide your own vehicle for which mileage will be reimbursed.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• A current International Code Council (ICC) Mechanical (M2) or Plumbing Inspector certificate (P2).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of degree/transcripts, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• Proof of certificate, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• Proof of apprenticeship completion, if utilized to match the minimum requirements.
• Proof of Out‑of‑Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: [phone]; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days).

For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre‑employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 8- September 25, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)