Senior Public Works Inspector

City of Oakley; Oakley (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Oakley is seeking a qualified Construction Inspector supervisor to oversee public works and private development inspections. The role ensures workmanship, materials, and safety compliance align with plans, codes, and regulations.

Responsibilities include directing staff, coordinating with engineers and contractors, and maintaining thorough documentation for project progress and payments. Strong leadership and communication are essential for successful project delivery.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or GED.
• Five (5) years of increasing responsibility in public works infrastructure inspection experience.
• Valid California Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to interpret complex construction documents and oversee inspection staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and supervise construction inspection staff on public works projects.
• Coordinate inspections with engineers, contractors, and consultants.
• Review materials, methods, and workmanship for conformance with plans and codes.
• Maintain reports, records, and documentation for progress payments and change orders.
• Conduct pre-construction meetings and coordinate with utility companies and developers.
• Ensure safety rules and regulations are followed on all sites.
• Interface with residents, vendors, and City staff to resolve issues.
• Prepare technical correspondence and reports as required.

Skills

Staff leadership

Construction inspection

Communication

Safety compliance

Public works knowledge

Team coordination

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Under general supervision of the Public Works Director, leads, trains, oversees, and participates in the more complex construction projects. Coordinates with other inspectors and consultants responsible for inspecting the workmanship and materials used in a variety of public works construction and capital improvement projects and private development projects that include City infrastructure, such as encroachment, grading, paving, concrete work, stormwater, landscaping, streetlights, traffic control review and implementation, traffic signals, water quality, and ensure public safety is maintained. The role ensures conformance with applicable Federal and State laws, codes, ordinances, plans, specifications, and departmental regulations; sets priorities and directs the work of assigned staff on a project or day-to-day basis; performs routine to complex work in an assigned area; provides technical and specialized assistance to the assigned management and supervisory staff; and performs related work as required. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties/ensure efficient and effective servicing function of the assigned program area. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of various positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides technical and functional direction to less experienced construction inspection staff; train in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions; reviews and controls quality of work; participates in performing routine to complex and specialized construction inspection work.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns construction inspection work in consultation with engineering staff and managers; communicates status of inspections to appropriate personnel, working in accordance with established and special operational priorities.
• Inspects and monitors all phases of public works, infrastructure, and capital improvement construction projects including streets, parks, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking lots, storm drains, underground improvements, street lighting systems, landscaping, landscaping irrigation systems, facilities, and other City capital projects; reviews and inspects materials, methods, and procedures for conformance with plans, specifications, contract provisions, and safe work practices in accordance with City, County, and State codes; inspects materials for identification; performs routine field tests as needed.
• Tracks and records daily field and inspection notes including amounts of materials used and work performed, and safety or job site issues identified; conducts pre-construction meetings with contractors and developers; prepares necessary reports for progress payments, change orders, claims, and other written documentation.
• Meets and regularly communicates with City staff, contractors, and estimators before, during, and after completion of projects; meets with surveyors and engineers to close-out projects.
• Confers with representatives of utility companies, contractors, engineers, developers, and other public agencies regarding construction and site improvements, conformance to standards, solicitations, project quotes, plans, specifications, and codes; explains requirements and evaluates alternatives.
• Consults with engineering staff regarding problems and change alternatives.
• Coordinates with testing technicians and laboratories to sample materials used to ensure appropriate composition.
• Inspects City sidewalks, curb, gutter, curb ramps, and asphalt roads for hazards in need of repair; measures and records displacements; submits locations for repair.
• Acts as liaison between the City, contractors, other agencies, and businesses and residents affected by projects; develops and maintains communication among the parties and responds to and resolves issues and complaints or refers them to the proper office for resolution; prepares work orders in response to complaints.
• Prepares a variety of correspondence, reports, correction notices, procedures, and other written materials.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Materials, methods, principles, and practices used in public works inspection and construction; including streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage, streetlights, and related facilities and appurtenances.
• Practices of construction contract administration and management.
• Technical principles and practices of engineering design, specification, and cost estimate preparation; defects and faults in construction.
• Materials sampling, testing, and estimating procedures.
• Mathematical principles and theories.
• Technical report writing and preparation of correspondence.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• City geography, street routes, and location of meters and backflow devices.
• Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Cal-OSHA and City mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Review and interpret construction documents such as plans, specifications, estimates, request for information (RFIs) and change orders (Cos).
• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Inspect capital improvement, public works, encroachment permits, and private development projects to ensure compliance with plans and specifications; detect and locate faulty materials and workmanship and determine remedy.
• Review and analyze construction plans, specifications, maps, and legal descriptions for conformance with City standards and policies; coordinate activities with multiple contractors, engineers, and property owners.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Perform accurate mathematical and statistical computations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, database, records, and tracking systems.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records; prepare clear and concise technical reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Education and Training: Possession of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).

Experience: Five (5) years of increasing responsibility in public works infrastructure inspection experience equivalent to a Public Works Inspector. Municipal experience preferred.

Licenses and Certificates: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record must be maintained throughout employment.The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The City will engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Physical: When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.