Senior Public Works Inspector

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

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Flexible spending account

Job summary

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita seeks a Senior Public Works Inspector to perform field inspections of capital improvement and public works projects within the public right-of-way, ensuring conformance with approved plans, specs, and City standards.

Responsibilities include documenting deficiencies, coordinating corrective actions, and maintaining inspection records for pavement, utilities, and traffic systems, under the supervision of the Public Works Director/City Engineer.

Responsibilities

• General Public Works Construction: Oversee the work of City contractors, inspect curb and gutter, sidewalks, ramps, driveways, concrete improvements, storm drains, and other public infrastructure against plans and specs.
• Capital Improvement Inspection: Inspect asphalt overlay, slurry seal, pavement patching, crack sealing, and related street maintenance projects; observe conditions and identify maintenance needs.
• Encroachment Permits: Review proposed work and field conditions for encroachment permit processing; verify pavement restoration and pedestrian access.
• Temporary Traffic Control: Inspect traffic control plans and identify unsafe conditions for prompt correction.
• Traffic Maintenance: Inspect signs, markings, and traffic devices; initiate maintenance requests.
• Traffic Signal Inspections: Conduct routine inspections of signals, equipment, and timing; refer complex issues to qualified personnel.
• NPDES and Stormwater Compliance: Apply stormwater program requirements during inspections and identify pollutant sources.
• BMP Inspections: Inspect erosion controls, waste containment, and site housekeeping; document deficiencies and verify corrections.
• Drainage Facilities: Inspect inlets and drainage improvements for debris and damage; coordinate repairs.
• Construction Coordination: Participate in preconstruction meetings and coordinate with contractors and residents.
• Inspection Documentation: Prepare inspection reports, photos, and deficiency notices; maintain construction progress records.
• Facility inspections and maintenance: Inspect building interiors and exteriors, document deficiencies, and coordinate repairs.
• Mechanical repairs: Observe HVAC systems and coordinate with service providers as needed.
• Preventive maintenance: Develop schedules and track service histories; respond to service requests and coordinate priorities.
• Contractor coordination: Monitor contractors providing custodial and facility services; minimize disruption to City operations.
• Acceptance and payment: Review service reports; assist with change orders and payments.
• Safety and hazards: Identify hazards and coordinate corrective actions to protect occupants.
• General maintenance coordination: Maintain work orders, cost records, and maintenance logs; propose budget needs.
• Emergency response: Assist with facility emergencies and after-hours response as assigned.

Job description

DEFINITION

Under supervision of the Public Works Director/City Engineer or designee, the Senior Public Works Inspector, performs field inspections of public works construction, street maintenance, and activities within the public right-of-way, inspects pavement rehabilitation, encroachment permit work, traffic control devices, traffic signal maintenance, and stormwater best management practices for conformance with approved plans, specifications, permit conditions, and City standards. Documents deficiencies, coordinates corrective actions, and maintains inspection records, and performs routine facility condition inspections, preventive maintenance, minor repairs, and maintenance coordination for City Hall and the Community Services Building. Coordinates with the Program Manager of the Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Public Works Inspector is responsible for the inspection of the construction for all capital improvement projects and construction within Public Right of Way through encroachment permits, coordinating the maintenance of City owned, leased or rented buildings, facilities, and infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm drain and all other City-maintained infrastructure and facilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following functions are typical for this classification.

• General Public Works Construction: Oversee the work of City contractors, some of the typical duties include: Inspect construction and/or repair of curb and gutter, sidewalks, curb ramps, driveways, concrete improvements, storm drains, and other public infrastructure. Verify observable dimensions, grades, alignment, materials, workmanship, and construction sequencing against approved plans and specifications.
• Capital Improvement Inspection: Inspect asphalt overlay, slurry seal, pavement patching, crack sealing, and related street maintenance projects. Observe pavement conditions and identify maintenance needs; inspect surface preparation, pavement removal and grinding, base repairs, material placement, pavement transitions, utility adjustments, and completed surfaces.
• Overlay and Slurry Seal Quality Control: Verify that contractors follow approved materials requirements, construction methods, application procedures, weather limitations, and curing or traffic-opening requirements. Coordinate required sampling and testing; review available test results and document deficiencies for corrective action.
• Encroachment Permits: Review of proposed work and field conditions to support encroachment permit processing. Inspect permitted utility installations, trenching, driveway improvements, street cuts, and other activities within the public right-of-way for compliance with permit conditions and approved plans. Verify pavement restoration, pedestrian access, and protection of existing improvements.
• Temporary Traffic Control: Inspect construction traffic control, lane closures, detours, signs, barricades, and pedestrian routes for conformance with approved traffic control plans and applicable standards. Identify unsafe or deficient conditions and coordinate prompt correction within delegated authority.
• Traffic Maintenance: Inspect the condition and placement of traffic signs, pavement markings, striping, raised pavement markers, and related traffic control devices. Identify damaged, missing, obscured, or worn devices; initiate maintenance requests and verify completed work.
• Traffic Signal Inspections: Conduct routine visual and operational observations of traffic signals and associated equipment, including signal indications, pedestrian displays and push buttons, vehicle detection, poles, cabinets, and intersection lighting. Document apparent malfunctions or damage, coordinate response by qualified signal maintenance personnel, and verify completion of assigned maintenance work. Refer signal timing, programming, and specialized electrical issues to appropriate personnel.
• NPDES and Stormwater Compliance: Apply working knowledge of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements and the City’s municipal stormwater program when inspecting public works projects and right-of-way activities. Identify potential pollutant sources, prohibited discharges, and conditions requiring follow-up.
• BMP Inspections: Inspect construction and maintenance best management practices (BMPs), including erosion and sediment controls, inlet protection, material storage, waste containment, concrete washout, spill prevention, and site housekeeping. Review applicable stormwater pollution prevention plans and erosion control plans; document deficiencies and verify corrective measures.
• Drainage Facilities: Inspect accessible storm drain inlets, catch basins, channels, outlets, and related drainage improvements for debris, sediment accumulation, damage, obstructions, and evidence of illicit discharges. Coordinate cleaning, repairs, or further investigation.
• Construction Coordination: Participate in preconstruction meetings and coordinate field activities with contractors, utility companies, testing laboratories, City staff, businesses, and residents. Identify conflicts and discrepancies and refer proposed changes to the project manager or City Engineer for approval.
• Inspection Documentation: Prepare daily inspection reports, photographs, quantity measurements, deficiency notices, and correspondence. Maintain records of construction progress, testing, permit compliance, and corrective actions; assist with review of payment quantities and potential change order documentation.
• Conduct scheduled and complaint-driven inspections of building interiors, exteriors, and associated equipment; identify deterioration, damage, operational deficiencies, and needed maintenance or repairs.
• Inspect the observable condition and operation of doors, windows, hardware, walls, ceilings, flooring, restrooms, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and other building components; document findings and recommend corrective action.
• Observe heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system performance; investigate occupant comfort concerns, perform routine maintenance within assigned capabilities, and coordinate diagnosis and repairs by qualified service providers.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance schedules, inspection checklists, equipment inventories, and service histories; track recurring maintenance and manufacturer-recommended service intervals.
• Receive and evaluate facility service requests; establish work priorities with the supervisor, respond to urgent conditions, and communicate repair status and anticipated disruptions to affected departments.
• Coordinate and monitor contractors providing custodial, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, pest control, elevator, fire protection, and other facility services, as applicable. Arrange access and schedule work to minimize interference with City operations and community activities.
• Inspect completed maintenance and repair work for conformance with approved scopes, specifications, and service agreements; document deficiencies, coordinate corrections, and recommend acceptance to the supervisor.
• Prepare basic scopes of work, obtain estimates, and assist with maintenance purchasing and contractor selection under City procedures; review service reports and invoices for consistency with work performed and recommend payment approval.
• Identify and promptly report potential facility hazards, including leaks, damaged walking surfaces, unsecured building components, obstructed exits, and apparent accessibility concerns. Take authorized interim measures to protect occupants and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
• Coordinate required inspections, testing, and servicing of specialized building systems by qualified providers; maintain related reports and track corrective actions.
• Maintain work orders, inspection reports, photographs, cost records, and maintenance logs; identify recurring problems and recommend equipment replacement, facility improvements, and future maintenance budget needs.
• Assist with facility emergencies, including water intrusion, equipment failures, and building security concerns; provide after-hours response when assigned.

Benefits:

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita offers rewarding employment opportunities for motivated, career-minded individuals. In addition to competitive salaries and wages, we offer a comprehensive benefit package including: retirement benefits through the California Public Employees Retirement system (CalPERS), medical, dental, and vision coverage, a flexible spending health account option, and other attractive employee benefits choices.