SENIOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR

VTA; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority seeks a Senior Construction Inspector – Prevailing Wage Specialist to oversee prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll, and labor standards for public works contracts. The role ensures contractors meet state and federal requirements, including PLAs, CUF, and apprenticeship provisions.

The ideal candidate will perform field inspections, conduct CUF interviews, and coordinate with unions, agencies, and project teams to enforce compliance and

Qualifications

• Sufficient training, education, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the above duties.
• Six years of construction or field engineering experience, including at least two years of construction inspection of buildings, transit, or public works projects.
• A valid California driver’s license is required.
• ICBO or NICET certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and train subordinates; supervise construction inspections to ensure compliance with plans, specs, and safety regulations.
• Administer construction contracts and inspect the workmanship and materials on complex transit projects.
• Coordinate materials testing, prepare records, and monitor progress payments.
• Review plans and field reports, resolve issues with contractors, and maintain project documentation.

Skills

Public works compliance

Prevailing wage administration

Labor requirements

Contract compliance

Project management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

ICBO/NICET certification preferred

Job description

Job Description

Senior Construction Inspector – Prevailing Wage Specialist

VTA’s Procurement, Contract and Business Development Department is seeking a Senior Construction Inspector – Prevailing Wage Specialist to oversee and support the administration, monitoring, and enforcement of prevailing wage and labor compliance requirements for public works and construction contracts. This position plays a key role in ensuring contractors and subcontractors meet all applicable state and federal prevailing wage laws, certified payroll requirements, worker classifications, apprenticeship standards, contractual obligations, and Project Labor Agreement (PLA) provisions.

Job Description

Senior Construction Inspector – Prevailing Wage Specialist

VTA’s Procurement, Contract and Business Development Department is seeking a Senior Construction Inspector – Prevailing Wage Specialist to oversee and support the administration, monitoring, and enforcement of prevailing wage and labor compliance requirements for public works and construction contracts. This position plays a key role in ensuring contractors and subcontractors meet all applicable state and federal prevailing wage laws, certified payroll requirements, worker classifications, apprenticeship standards, contractual obligations, and Project Labor Agreement (PLA) provisions.

The Senior Construction Inspector – Prevailing Wage Specialist will collaborate with contractors, subcontractors, project management teams, and internal departments to conduct compliance reviews, identify and resolve discrepancies, perform certified payroll and field inspections, and ensure the effective implementation and ongoing compliance with state and federal prevailing wage, apprenticeship, and labor standards requirements.

The Division

VTA’s Procurement, Contracts & Business Development (PCBD) is committed to procurement processes, contract administration, and compliance that fosters fair and open competition, compliance with federal, state, and local laws and requirements, and adheres to the highest ethical standards.

Goods and General Services, Professional Services/Technology, Design and Construction Sections and the Offices of Business Development and Labor and Stormwater Compliance comprise the PCBD Department.

Office of Labor Compliance and Stormwater Program

The Labor and Stormwater Compliance Department is responsible for monitoring VTA’s public works contracts to ensure that contractors and subcontractors comply with all applicable labor laws, prevailing wage requirements, and workforce protection standards. The department’s core mission is to protect workers’ rights, promote fair and equitable contracting practices, and ensure full adherence to federal, state, and local labor regulations.

In addition to labor compliance, the department also oversees contractor adherence to stormwater regulations mandated by the State Water Resources Control Board, ensuring environmental protection and regulatory compliance across all construction activities.

For projects governed by a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), the department provides support in monitoring and enforcing compliance with all terms and conditions established under the agreement, helping to maintain labor harmony and contractual integrity throughout project delivery.

Definition

Under direction, a Senior Construction Inspector performs the most difficult and complex work in contract administration and technical inspection to ensure compliance with plans and specifications of construction and contracted maintenance work on VTA development projects including civil, landscape, bridges, buildings, facilities, park and ride lots, permits, utility relocation, and related transit construction; and may provide supervision to subordinates.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This class is the advanced journey level of the Construction Inspector series. An incumbent in this class will normally be assigned as a resident inspector on large and/or complex transit projects and other related or multiple projects, and may provide lead supervision on a project basis. An incumbent in this class performs the full range of construction contract administration and inspection tasks and is fully competent to independently administer and inspect the largest and most complex types of construction projects of VTA.

This class differs from the next higher classification of Principal Construction Inspector in that the Principal Construction Inspector is a full supervisory classification with responsibility over a major program area of construction operations.

Ideal Candidate

A candidate with a strong background in public works compliance, prevailing wage administration, and labor requirements, along with proven experience coordinating with contractors, unions, government agencies, and community partners, is preferred. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate strong investigative, communication, documentation, and project management skills.

Preferred Skills

• Strong knowledge of public works compliance, including prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll, and state and federal labor regulations.
• Experience reviewing project specifications, daily inspection reports, certified payroll records, compliance reports, and pay applications/invoices.
• Skilled in administering Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), including pre-job meetings, required documentation, workforce goals, fringe benefit contributions, and union coordination.
• Experience representing an agency at pre-bid, pre-construction, weekly construction, and contractor meetings, and communicating compliance requirements and obligations.
• Ability to conduct on-site prevailing wage and Commercially Useful Function (CUF) interviews, identify instances of non-compliance, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors, unions, Building Trades Councils, government agencies, labor and training programs, and community organizations.
• Knowledge of local and disadvantaged business enterprise (L/DBE) programs, workforce development initiatives, and contractor assistance.
• Strong ability to investigate complaints, resolve disputes, support grievance and arbitration processes, and issue non-compliance notices when necessary.
• Ability to monitor changes in state and federal regulations and recommend updates to policies, procedures, and prevailing wage practices.
• Strong documentation, reporting, coordination, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Ability to professionally represent the organization at conferences, seminars, public meetings, and community outreach events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive, proprietary, personnel, payroll, and contract-related information in the performance of assigned duties.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

• May lead and train subordinates; assign and review work, and counsel personnel;
• Administers construction contracts and supervises or inspects the quality and workmanship of the materials and contractor’s methods on complex and difficult VTA construction projects to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, and applicable safety regulations;
• Monitors and coordinates the collection of samples of sand, aggregates, soils, concrete and other materials for testing to ensure the quality of the materials as well as mechanical and electrical equipment used in VTA construction projects;
• Estimates quantities of work completed and prepares the progress payment forms;
• Supervises or performs the preparation of records, reports, red‑lined drawings, and other field office engineering work;
• Checks quality of materials and construction methods by personal inspection or use of supporting staff and ensures maintenance of records regarding quality and acceptance of materials used and delivered;
• Coordinates materials testing, construction surveying and electrical inspections;
• Maintains a complete set of project records, reports, and correspondence for each assigned project;
• Notes errors and deviations and consults with higher-level inspectors or project engineers;
• Inspects VTA right‑of‑way activity and land grading operations performed under VTA permit;
• Assists in developing specifications, plans, and schedules for the bid process and performs constructability reviews;
• Evaluates and prepares documentation for change orders and contract claims;
• Investigates complaints and resolves disputes which develop between the Authority, contractor, outside agencies, or the public;
• Schedules final inspections and recommends acceptance of projects;
• Arranges and conducts pre‑construction meetings, and makes suggestions in establishing or modifying the procedural guidelines for the project;
• Reviews and interprets plans, specifications, and sites to become familiarized with various aspects of VTA construction projects;
• Participates in meetings to discuss construction details and resolves issues; acts as a liaison and coordinates with the general contractor, architects, engineers, project consultants, contractors, utility companies, and government agencies;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all parties concerned in a project;
• Receives and processes underground service alert notices from regional utility notification centers; Performs related site visits and utility locating services as necessary;
• May serve as a backup to the Permit Technician in the processing and issuance of Construction Access Permits and Restricted Access Permits; May provide information to interested parties regarding VTA’s permit process, permit fee structure, and related procedures as required;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Sufficient training, education, and public or private sector experience which demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks and the possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of high school and six years of construction or field engineering experience, including at least two years of construction inspection of buildings, transit or public works projects, or equivalent. (Sixty semester units in engineering, construction technology and methodology or building inspection may be substituted for two years of the required construction experience.)

Demonstrated training (with proof) in six areas of construction testing/inspection is also required (i.e., concrete, asphalt, electrical, mechanical, etc.).

Possession of a valid California driver's license is required.

Possession of International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) or National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) certification is preferred.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge Of

• Mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, and its application to construction inspection work;
• Construction and inspection practices, procedures, and techniques, including utility installation and relocation;
• Construction contract administration procedures, including claims avoidance techniques and construction scheduling techniques;
• Principles of lead supervision and training;
• VTA bidding and project formation procedures and VTA minor construction standards;
• Defects and faults in construction;
• Basic soil mechanics and geology;
• Principles, practices, and terminology of engineering, including drafting and surveying;
• Construction methods, materials and equipment;
• Safety practices and traffic control procedures in the construction industry;
• Laws, codes, ordinances, and standards applicable to the construction industry;

Ability To

• Read and interpret engineering and architectural plan and specifications;
• Inspect materials, workmanship, and the construction and installation of various systems on large or complex projects; detect and locate faulty materials and poor work quality, including testing of soils, concrete and related samples; and enforce compliance with plans, specifications, codes, and special requirements;
• Perform contract administration duties including supervision and/or preparation of daily construction reports, weekly statement of working days, change orders, work orders, progress payments, general correspondence, checking payroll records, material submittals, certificates of compliance, and enforcement of contract provisions;
• Meet and consult with engineers, contractors and their representatives on difficult construction matters, and maintain effective relationships with those contacted through the course of work;
• Plan, organize, and direct the work of others;
• Review and evaluate unusual field conditions not specified in plans and specifications;
• Effectively resolve and coordinate problems with construction and engineering personnel;
• Use appropriate level and hand tools to establish and verify elevations;
• Understand and follow oral and written communications;
• Make field engineering estimates, calculations, and computationals;
• Measure and calculate quantities accurately for preparation of progress payments;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with contractors, contractor’s personnel, the general public, property owners, engineers, and agency representatives;
• Interpret, coordinate, and enforce a variety of laws, codes, ordinances, special requirements, and other standards applicable to the construction industry;
• Perform drafting functions;
• Ensure permit applications are processed in a timely manner;
• Collect and analyze data, prepare clear and concise technical reports, and keep comprehensive records.

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.

For safety-sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans With Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone] or email [e-mail] at least five business days before the test.

Veterans’ Preference Program

VTA welcomes and encourages the employment of veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Qualified veterans may be eligible to receive additional veterans’ preference credit in the selection process for this recruitment.

To be considered for Veterans’ Preference credit, please attach a PDF copy of your DD Form 214 (Service Copy 2) or other official discharge documentation showing your enlistment and discharge dates and character of service (i.e., type of discharge) in the “Attachments” section of your application. Applicants requesting preference based on a service-connected disability, please submit Standard Form 15 (SF-15) along with any required supporting documentation.

Veterans’ Preference credit will only be applied after the required documentation has been received and eligibility has been verified.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTA's benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

• Classic Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
• New Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employee's bi-weekly salary.