Utility Construction Inspector

City-of-Suffolk; Hall (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Suffolk is seeking a Construction Inspector to supervise and inspect local projects for compliance with planning and development policies. You will assess materials, methods, and site layouts, test construction materials, and document findings for city review.

Responsibilities include coordinating with owners, developers, contractors, and engineers; reviewing plans, conducting final inspections, and preparing regular reports.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent with 1–2 years in construction or inspections.
• Valid driver’s license and DEQ certifications within 18 months of employment.
• Ability to read blueprints and apply building codes; conduct site inspections.

Responsibilities

• Inspects construction projects and enforces city ordinances governing minimum standards for sanitary sewer, water main construction, roadways, and related infrastructure.
• Examines construction methods and materials; reviews project plans and revisions for compliance.
• Confers with contractors, owners, developers, architects, engineers to discuss inspection requests and methods.
• Tests construction materials to ensure adherence to codes and standards.
• Oversees construction projects in the city and ensures site safety and erosion control compliance.
• Meas­ures quantities, calculates percent completion, adjusts drawings, and resolves engineering issues.
• Conducts final inspections on city/state ROW improvements for acceptance and maintenance.
• Prepares monthly estimates for capital projects and maintains records and reports.
• Attends construction meetings and coordinates with stakeholders.
• Fuels and maintains vehicles used in field inspections.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills

Construction inspection

Blueprint reading

Project coordination

Communication

Math calculations

Education

High school diploma

Civil engineering coursework

1–2 years inspection experience

Tools

DEQ Erosion & Sediment Control Certification

DEQ Stormwater Inspector Certification

VDOT certifications

Job description

Under general supervision, performs technical work inspecting local construction projects to ensure compliance with City planning and development policy. Works includes inspecting construction projects by both the City and private developers to ensure that materials, methods, sizing, and locations in project development meet City specifications; testing of the materials utilized in such construction; and investigating construction practices and recommending changes when necessary. Employee is also responsible for preparing various reports on construction projects. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in performing inspections. Employee must also exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, developers, contractors and the general public. Reports to the Construction Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Graduation from high school, and 1 to 2 years of experience in the construction trade or building inspections, college-level course work in civil engineering or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Possession of a valid driver's license. Must possess Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector Certification, or obtain within 18 months of employment. Must possess Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Stormwater Inspector Certification, or obtain within 18 months of employment. May require various VDOT certifications depending on department assigned.

• Inspects construction projects and enforces City ordinances governing minimum standards and requirements of new sanitary sewer and water main construction, alterations, and repairs; roadway and associated infrastructure.
• Examines construction methods and materials and construction project location; ensuring compliance with City planning and development policy. Review project plans, revisions, and corresponding documents.
• Confers with contractors, property owners, developers, architects, engineers, and others regarding inspection requests, construction codes, building plans, etc.; examines and investigates methods and practices employed in local construction projects, recommending changes when necessary.
• Tests various construction materials to ensure adherence with applicable codes and standards.
• Oversees construction projects in the city.
• Inspects construction projects for work zone safety, and that erosion and sediment control practices are being adhered to.
• Measures installed quantities of construction; calculates percent completion; adjusts construction drawings to reflect actual work; diagnoses and solves engineering problems and reviews construction contracts and oversee test.
• Conducts final inspections on city and state right-of-way improvements for acceptance and maintenance of roadways.
• Prepares monthly estimates for capital projects.
• Prepares and maintains various records and reports pertaining to status of ongoing construction projects; schedules appointments; conducts final project inspection and recommends acceptance of work.
• Conducts required testing of systems during construction.
• Interprets site plans.
• Performs data collection activities as warranted; i.e. GPS valve and hydrant locations.
• Attends construction meetings with contractors, engineers, and inspectors.
• Fuels vehicles; takes vehicles to shop for maintenance and repairs; maintains appearance of vehicle.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of modern construction practices, materials, and equipment, and of the various stages of construction when violations and defects should be observed and corrected.
• Knowledge of structural engineering practices as applied to construction and inspection of commercial and industrial buildings.
• Knowledge of State and local building ordinances and codes.
• Knowledge of City geography.
• Ability to detect and locate defective workmanship in construction or repairs.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, diagrams, specifications, codes and building regulations.
• Ability to extract water samples on construction locations for bacteriological testing.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and firmness in dealing with contractors, property owners and the general public.
• Ability to physically maneuver on scaffolds, structural members, and in cramped quarters to accomplish thorough inspections.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to read a variety of correspondence and reports, architectural drawings, electrical diagrams, balance sheets, diagnostic reports, inspection slips, blueprints, inspection requests, etc.; prepares correspondence and reports, forms, permits, activity logs, etc., using prescribed format.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to use and interpret building codes, engineering, mechanical and electrical terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; and to utilize basic systems of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, and ratio and proportion.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office machinery and equipment; to operate motor vehicles.
• Ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.
• Knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including calculators, copiers, telephones, two-way radios, and motor vehicles. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt