Principal Engineering Construction Inspector - Jefferson County (Roads & Transportation)

Irondale; United States; On-site; USD 57,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Jefferson County in the United States seeks a Principal Engineering Construction Inspector for its Roads & Transportation department. The role reviews construction plans for compliance with laws and standards, and oversees inspection of drainage, roads, bridges, subdivisions, and utilities. You'll supervise staff, review inspector reports, approve contractor payments, and ensure material quality meets specifications. The position involves coordinating with project engineers and the public.

Qualifications

• Driver's license is required.
• Experience inspecting civil/public works projects to ensure contract compliance.
• Experience calculating data (quantities, areas, volumes, grades) for construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Communicates with project engineers, contractors, attorneys, and the public to convey project status.
• Oversees inspection of public infrastructure projects to ensure compliance with specifications and codes.
• Reviews plans and prepares for on-site inspections by examining maps and drawings.
• Oversees contractor work, reviews payment requests, and ensures material quality and quantity.
• Supervises staff, assigns tasks, provides training, and monitors progress.

Skills

Driver's license

Construction inspection

Public works knowledge

Tools

APPIA

Oracle

Procore

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Target close date: 10/30/2026. Pay grade: Grade 22. Type: Full time.

JOB SUMMARY

Jefferson County is seeking a well-qualified Principal Engineering Construction Inspector for its Roads & Transportation department. Principal Engineering Construction Inspectors are responsible for examining and reviewing the plans of construction and maintenance projects to determine compliance with existing laws, regulations, and professional standards. Incumbents conduct and oversee the inspection of construction and maintenance projects involving public infrastructure such as drainage structures, roads, bridges, subdivisions, utilities, etc. Incumbents oversee and approve contractors’ work on public infrastructure projects (e.g., subdivisions, bridges, roads) by reviewing inspectors' reports, approving payment to contractors, and ensuring the appropriate quality and quantity of materials are used or removed according to specifications. Work involves planning and reviewing the work of employees who apply engineering practices and principles to a variety of public works assignments.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Jefferson County provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.

The pay range for this job is presented below: $57,075 - $88,524

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Driver's license.
• Experience inspecting the work performed in the construction of civil or public works projects (e.g., roads, bridges, sewers, utilities) to ensure adherence to contract specifications.
• Experience calculating data (e.g., quantities, areas, volumes, and grades) for construction projects using advanced mathematical calculations, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Supervisory work experience to include assigning and reviewing work, guiding and directing staff, and training.

TARGETED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience completing daily construction reports including quantity calculations, material testing results, and overall construction activities.
• Experience using project management software (e.g. APPIA, Oracle, Procore).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES

• Communicates with a variety of individuals orally and/or electronically by providing appropriate information to project engineers, contractors, attorneys, and the general public in order to inform them on the status of construction projects and utility issues.
• Oversees and participates in the inspection of construction and maintenance work on public infrastructure by inspecting drainage structures, sanitary sewers, wastewater treatment plants, roads, bridges, subdivisions, and utilities using accepted civil engineering practices, national, state, and local engineering codes, standards, or regulations to ensure that projects are completed according to job specifications.
• Oversees contractors’ work on public infrastructure projects (e.g., subdivisions, sewer lines, bridges, roads) by monitoring the progress of work, approving payment to contractors and ensuring the appropriate quality and quantity of materials (e.g., steel, concrete, asphalt, soil) are used or removed in order to ensure projects are completed according to specifications.
• Examines and reviews plans of assigned projects by attending pre-construction meetings, examining utilities at construction sites, and reading maps and drawings in order to prepare for on-site inspections during construction and maintenance projects on public infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, sewer lines).
• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.
• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job involves moderate physical exertion required for occasional prolonged periods of lifting, carrying, climbing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 75 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is conducted both indoors in an office setting as well as during regular field visits to external construction worksites and government facilities. May be exposed to weather conditions, such as extreme hot or cold temperatures, or other potentially hazardous conditions such as near roadway traffic or active construction sites.

EEO STATEMENT

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION

To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at [e-mail] or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The accommodation process is reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the job application process.

NOTE

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System.

DISCLAIMER

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.