Senior Public Works Inspector

City of Mission Viejo; Mission Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Public Works Inspector to oversee complex construction inspections and ensure compliance with safety standards. This role involves collaborating with engineers, contractors, and city staff to manage public works projects effectively. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to providing high-quality service to the community. Join a dedicated team focused on enhancing public infrastructure and making a positive impact in the community. If you are passionate about public service and have a strong work ethic, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Two years of college or an Associate degree in related fields.
• Five years of journey-level construction inspection experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex inspections of contractors' work to ensure compliance.
• Prepare reports and maintain daily activity records.
• Coordinate with contractors and city staff on project modifications.

Skills

Construction Inspection

Project Management

Communication Skills

Customer Service

Technical Report Writing

Knowledge of Public Works Standards

Education

Associate of Arts Degree in Engineering

Two Years of College Coursework

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

CRM Software

Job description

City of Mission Viejo Invites Applications for

SENIOR PUBLIC WORKS INSPECTOR

$40.53- $59.02 per hour

APPLY BY: 3:00 P.M., FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025

The City of Mission Viejo is accepting applications from qualified applicants for the position of Senior Public Works Inspector. The eligibility list established for this position may be used to fill future full-time, part-time or temporary Senior Public Works Inspector vacancies.

Currently, there is one (1) full-time vacancy in the Public Works Department assigned to City Hall. This position is scheduled to work Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may vary depending on the needs of the City including on-call and callback assignments, after-hours emergency response, weekend assignments, and special events. This classification is FLSA non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.

SEARCH SCHEDULE:

The first round of Zoom interviews is scheduled for May 29, 2025. Only one date will be available for an applicant to attend. The City will not accommodate applicant scheduling requests for alternate dates. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly when you apply.

Your impact

This position performs the most complex inspections of the work of contractors constructing or modifying City infrastructure to ensure safety and conformance with plans and specifications, requiring a higher level of expertise. Responsibilities include working closely with City Engineering staff, developers and contractors to effect project modifications to meet field contingencies. This position is distinguished from the Public Works Inspector I/II classes in that it has the authority to stop work on projects within specified guidelines until modifications in design, materials or practices are accomplished, participates in long- and short-range planning, and to exercise considerable judgment and creativity in functioning with only occasional direction. Provides project management and inspection of arterial street widening projects and residential street resurfacing projects.

Some essential duties include:

• Records amounts of materials used and work performed; selectively measures quantities of materials used; prepares necessary reports for progress payments;
• Assists in the development of plans and specifications for Capital Improvements Projects;
• Inspects Encroachment Permits to ensure compliance with approved plans, City standards, and Special Provisions;
• Reviews plans, specifications and permits for a variety of large-scale or complex public works infrastructure and capital improvement construction projects; attends pre-construction conferences to discuss work needs;
• Inspects all phases of construction of public works and private development projects;
• Confers with contractors and developers regarding conformance to standards, plans, specifications and codes; explains requirements and evaluates alternatives;
• Investigates and participates in the resolution of resident complaints;
• Prepares, reviews, implements, and administers various public works contracts;
• Prepares and maintains daily activity records and reports; investigates and prepares reports on special problems, technical data, and other designated subjects;
• Reviews and interprets codes and ordinances and recommends changes and additions, as needed;
• Acts as liaison between the City, contractors, other agencies and businesses and residents affected by projects; maintains communication among the parties and responds to and resolves issues and complaints or refers them to the proper office for resolution; and
• Prepares a variety of correspondence, reports, correction notices, procedures and other written materials.

Applicants are encouraged to review the entire Senior Public Works Inspector job descriptions by visiting the City’s website athttps://cityofmissionviejo.org

YOUR TEAM

The Mission Viejo Public Works Department is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses. They are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a strong work ethic to join their team.

The department's mission includes providing essential services and implementing improvement projects for the community. Key activities include maintaining and improving public roads, enhancing traffic flow and safety, managing waste and recycling programs, overseeing stormwater pollution prevention, and supporting development initiatives. Additionally, the department actively engages in community outreach to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. If you're passionate about making a difference, consider joining their committed team!

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Someone who can provide a high level of customer service to the public, contractors and City staff, in person, over the telephone, and in email while handling a high volume of daily inspections and plan reviews;
• Someone who can organize their workload, set priorities, and follow-up with contractors and the public with minimal direction;
• Knowledge of materials, methods, principles and practices used in public works and private development construction, including streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage, streetlight and related facilities and appurtenances;
• Skill in inspecting capital improvement and public works projects to ensure compliance with plans and specifications;
• Ability to interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, codes and departmental policies governing the construction of private development projects;
• Knowledge of and embraces the use of computer applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and wants to learn new computer programs such as CRM GoRequest customer relations management module; and
• Great oral and written communication skills.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee and contract management and supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Materials, methods, principals and practices used in public work construction, including streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage, streetlights and related facilities and appurtenances.
• Principles and practices of public works construction inspection.
• Practices of construction contract administration and payment in a public agency setting.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations and departmental policies governing construction practices.
• Technical principles and practices of engineering design, specification and cost estimate preparation.
• Defects and faults in construction, landscaping, and related systems.
• Materials sampling, testing, and estimating procedures.
• Engineering mechanics of construction.
• Weed abatement programs.
• Pavement management systems.
• Basic groundwater issues in a hillside community.
• Mathematical principals including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Standard specifications involving Public Works Construction and Public Works Inspector's Manual.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of public works maintenance and inspection.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Techniques for dealing with the engineers, developers, contractors, City staff, and representatives of other agencies in an effective manner.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Safe work practices.

Skill in:

• Planning, organizing, assigning, coordinating, supervising and evaluating the work of assigned staff and/or contractors.
• Inspecting large and complex capital improvement and public works projects to ensure compliance with plans and specifications.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining applicable laws, regulations, codes and departmental policies governing the construction and maintenance of public works and landscape areas.
• Reviewing and authorizing change orders, claims and progress payments within specific procedural guidelines.
• Providing technical engineering review and processing assistance to City staff.
• Detecting and locating faulty materials and workmanship and determining the stage of construction during which defects are most easily found and remedied.
• Reviewing and analyzing construction plans, specifications and maps for conformance with City standards and policies.
• Coordinating and dealing tactfully with contractors, engineers, landscape architects and property owners.
• Inspecting assigned areas for a wide variety of maintenance, repair, and risk management issues.
• Responding to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Assisting with the preparation of biddable specifications for a variety of public works construction.
• Developing cost estimates and budgets for public review.
• Performing the entire range of construction inspection activities with a minimum of supervision.
• Researching, writing, and recommending programs and schedules including requests for proposals and budgets.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Making accurate mathematic computations.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Preparing clear, effective and accurate reports, correspondence, change orders, specifications and other written materials.
• Representing the department and the City effectively in meetings with other departments, public and private organizations and individuals.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Operating a motor vehicle safe.

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of two years of college or possession of an Associate of Arts degree with major course work in engineering, engineering technology, construction technology, construction inspection, the building trades, or a related field and five (5) years of recent increasingly responsible journey-level construction inspection experience, preferably in a public agency setting, including two (2) years of lead responsibility. Additional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.

License and Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.