Public Works Inspector

Interwest Consulting Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Interwest Consulting Group is seeking a seasoned Public Works Inspector to join our county-focused team in Orange County, CA. The role involves inspecting construction to verify compliance with city standards and specifications, reviewing plans, and maintaining thorough field records.

You will coordinate materials testing and manage multiple sites with minimal supervision. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of inspection experience, familiarity with Greenbook/Caltrans, and certifications

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of Public Works Inspection Experience.
• Familiar with City Standards and Caltrans guidance.
• Strong ability to review plans and ensure compliance.
• Capability to perform field measurements and calculations.
• Experience with project documentation and punch lists.
• Knowledge of SWPPP/BMP reporting.

Responsibilities

• Participates in inspection of public works construction to ensure compliance with specifications and safety.
• Review plans for completeness and conformity, recommend changes.
• Maintain daily inspector reports and photographic records.
• Prepare field sketches and as-built drawings reflecting changes.
• Coordinate materials testing and review reports for conformance.
• Issue notices of non-compliance and field orders as needed.
• Travel to multiple construction sites and work independently.

Skills

Public works inspection

Caltrans Standards

SWPPP compliance

Record-keeping

Reading and interpreting drawings

Engineering calculations

Communication skills

Team collaboration

MS Word

Bluebeam

MS Excel

Education

QSP certification

CESSWI certification

Tools

MS Word

Bluebeam

MS Excel

Tablet/Field iPad

Job description

PUBLIC WORKS INSPECTOR - Orange County, CA

Interwest Consulting Group was founded in 2002 and has become a leader in providing municipal services to cities and counties throughout the Western United States. We currently have over 400 employees specializing in public works, building and safety, planning, engineering, and real estate acquisition. In our twenty‑two plus years, we have attracted the best in our professions and are positioned for continued growth and success.

We are seeking experienced and motivated Public Works Inspector to join our Public Works Group. This is an exceptional opportunity to become a key member of our highly qualified, collaborative, and motivated public works inspection team.

JOB DUTIES:

• Participates in the inspection of public works construction to assure compliance with specifications, city standards, regulations, and safety conditions.
• Ability to handle multiple encroachment permit inspections in a single day utilizing the clients preferred database and process for intake.
• Review project plans and specifications for completeness, accuracy and compliance with city standards and specifications; recommend changes and improvements as appropriate.
• Understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications associated with civil engineering projects.
• Maintain detailed records and information to include daily inspector’s reports and digital photographic records of work.
• Make field measurements and calculations as necessary. Report works of improvement not in accordance with specifications and recommend work stoppage for non‑compliance.
• Prepare inspection checklists, interim and final punch lists, conduct final walk‑through and verify project completion.
• Prepare field sketches and maintain a current set of as‑built drawings reflecting all changes to the plans, maintain documentation for each change to plans.
• Coordinate materials testing, and review reports for conformance with specifications. Simultaneously handle multiple projects with varying degrees of complexity under pressure of deadlines. Issue notices of non‑compliance, stop notices, and field orders, as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel to and from multiple Construction Sites as assigned.
• Work independently and remotely.

SKILLS:

• Comprehensive understanding of City Standards and Specifications and other applicable regulations and standards related to construction inspection.
• Familiar with methods, procedures, and materials used in construction (Greenbook/Caltrans Standards).
• Familiar with proper public works inspection methods, practices, and reporting.
• Familiar with SWPPP/BMP compliance procedures and reporting protocols
• Understanding of basic math as applied to construction inspection.
• Familiar with AASHTO Materials testing procedures.
• Ability and familiar with Record‑keeping techniques.
• Ability to plan and organize work.
• Ability to Inspect construction projects for quality control/quality assurance and compliance with plans, specifications, codes, and regulations with minimal oversight.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply Specifications, Standards, codes, and regulations with minimal oversight.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, plans, and specifications with minimal oversight.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to perform required engineering computations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use laptop, field I‑pad/Tablet and various software (i.e. MS Word, Bluebeam, MS Excel)

CERTIFICATIONS:

• QSP, CESSWI (desired or able to obtain within 6 months of employment)

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 10 years of Public Works Inspection Experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (ADD FOR INSPECTORS, CE OFFICERS AND ANY POSITION DOING FIELD WORK)

Mobility & Movement:

• Frequent walking, standing, climbing, bending, stooping, crawling, or kneeling to conduct inspections.
• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, or unfinished stairways to access roofs, attics, crawl spaces, and other elevated or confined areas.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving objects up to 25–50 pounds (e.g., inspection tools, plans, or small equipment).

Vision & Hearing:

• Visual acuity sufficient to read construction plans, technical documents, and observe construction details.
• Ability to detect safety hazards and defects through visual and auditory inspection.
• Hearing sufficient to communicate with contractors, workers, and the public in noisy environments.

Manual Dexterity:

• Use of hands and fingers to handle tools, operate inspection equipment, and use computers/tablets for reporting.
• Work performed in both office and field settings.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow) and construction site environments (noise, dust, uneven terrain).
• Frequent driving between inspection sites and company locations within a region.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

SAFEbuilt pays competitive wages and has a comprehensive benefit offering. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, paid holidays, paid time off, matching 401K Plans, wellness programs and more. SAFEbuilt is committed to Career Progression through paid training and step increases for additional certifications and licenses.

Salary Range: $50 - $55 per hour

Interwest Consulting Group is a municipal consulting firm focused on providing thoughtful, tailored solutions that build thriving communities. Founded in 2002, Interwest provides City Engineering, Building Code Compliance, City Planning, Traffic Engineering, Capital Project Delivery and Real Estate Acquisition throughout CA and NV. Interwest joined the SAFEbuilt family in 2020.

More About SAFEbuilt: http://safebuilt.com/

SAFEbuilt has the technical expertise to provide Community Development services, but the reason for our success is our people. Over 1600 experts make up our team from across the country, with experience in a full range of services and skills. Each Team member values integrity, improvement, service, teamwork, and respect. These Core Values are the foundation of positive relationships among coworkers, our clients, residents, and anyone invested in the continued success of their community.

Our employees are our greatest asset, with exceptionally certified individuals in all departments, including Planning & Zoning, Code Enforcement, Fire Prevention, and Engineering, as well as full-service and supplemental Building Department services. SAFEbuilt invests in developing our employees, exploring innovative technology, and giving back to our communities.

In partnership with over 1200 communities, our talented experts make a difference in the cities and towns where we live and work. Through quality people and consistent service, SAFEbuilt plays an important role in continually improving lives by developing safe, thriving communities.

SAFEbuilt is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail] or you may call us directly on 970-292-2200.