Are you passionate about improving the built environment and helping people? Do you have a keen eye for detail and a desire to develop your career in construction governance? Our Community Development Department seeks qualified individuals to fill the Building Inspector position. A building inspector performs field and office work related to inspecting various structures during construction, reconstruction, or alteration to ensure adherence to approved plans, specifications, and the requirements of applicable codes and regulations. Our inspectors may also engage in building code enforcement to ensure existing buildings provide the minimum health and safety-related building components.
Annual salary for this classification is as high as $104,125.00 at the top of the range. Additionally, City-paid benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, four weeks of paid parental leave, and more! All benefit information can be found in our Benefits Summary.Incumbents in this class are generally assigned to conduct site inspections in any one or combination of the following areas: architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, energy, and mechanical. Work is usually performed independent of direct supervision.
The ideal candidate: - Has already started a career in building inspections by gaining experience at a consulting company or another jurisdiction and/or completing building code classes at a community college.
- Can communicate construction issues in both technical and plain language.
- Is a team player and a kind person.
Desirable characteristics: - International Code Council (ICC) certified commercial inspector across multiple trades.
- Tech-savvy and adaptable to change
- Detail-oriented
The intent of this job specification is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.- Performs multi-trade inspections on various phases of building construction and equipment installations for compliance with applicable codes.
- Provides technical and referral information to contractors, owners, and permittees on construction and alteration methods and materials as needed during actual construction or installation.
- Inspects work at each of the required stages of completion and approves or indicates necessary corrective action of defects in workmanship, materials, or equipment. Makes final inspections, prepares inspection reports, and records results of inspection work completed.
- Inspects the structural parts of buildings such as foundations, floors, framing, roofs, and masonry.
- Inspects electrical installations such as services and subpanels, and ensures that all wiring materials are approved for the purpose intended.
- Inspects plumbing equipment, fixtures, and installations of sewer, water, and gas lines, and drain, waste, and vent systems.
- Inspects heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and mechanical installations, parts, and equipment.
- Investigates code violations, posts stop work notices, and reports findings.
- Makes field checks of construction, alterations, and repair work being done without proper permits.
- Inspects installations for compliance with applicable codes.
- Maintains records and files of inspections made.
- Performs related work as required.
Required Education and Experience - High school diploma or GED equivalent, preferably supplemented by additional training in building inspection technology, structural engineering, public administration, or a related field.
- Two (2) years in one of the related building or construction trades, or in the application of municipal code enforcement related to zoning, building construction, or permit administration.
- Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities
Required Licenses or Certifications- Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) Building Inspector certification at the time of appointment, or the acquiring of the certification by the completion of the probationary period, is required. Certification must be maintained as an ongoing requirement.
- Possession of a valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record is an ongoing requirement.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
The City’s policy is that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated, including the booster, for COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources. REQUIRED KSA FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:- Modern office practices and equipment, including applicable software
- Principles, practices, techniques, and terminology relating to building inspection, building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing construction methods and materials
- State and City laws, codes, and ordinances relating to building construction, rehabilitation, and zoning
- Types of building materials, and the variations and their qualities
- California Code of Regulations Title 24 (California Building Standards Code)
- Applicable provisions of the California Health and Safety Code and the Richmond Municipal Code
Skill in:- Organization and time management
- Mathematics
- Customer service
Ability to:- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with engineers, architects, contractors, and the general public
- Interpret applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations enforceable by the City
- Apply technical knowledge of building trades work to the practical application
- Make sound independent judgments in inspection work within established guidelines
- Detect deviations from plans, specifications, and standard installation practices
- Accurately estimate cost of materials and labor
- Read and interpret diagrams, plans, and specifications
Application and Selection Process
To Apply: Each applicant must
apply online and submit a complete City of Richmond Employment Application, including detailed work history and responses to the supplemental questions by the final filing date. Incomplete applications will be subject to rejection. Please fill out the Employment Application completely (including places of employment with complete addresses; i.e., number and street name, city and state, names of supervisors with telephone numbers, etc.).
All communication regarding this recruitment will be via email; each applicant must apply with a monitored email address. Qualifying Phase: All completed applications will be evaluated based on job-related qualifications criteria, which could include desirable qualifications and the specific needs of the hiring department.Examination Phase:The most suitably qualified candidates will be asked to respond to an additional set of supplemental questions. Eligibility for placement on the Employment Lists will be solely determined by
the responses to these questions (weighted 100%). For passing candidates, the candidate's qualifying experience will be used to determine placement on the employment list.
Having all of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement nor placement on the employment list.
Employment List: A ranking of "A" (Best Qualified), "B" (Well Qualified), or "C" (Qualified) is required to achieve a position on the employment list. The list will be in effect for a maximum of two (2) years; however, the list may be canceled, without notice, after six (6) months.About the City of Richmond
The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond’s numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more segments of the Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks and open space. The City has substantial economic resources but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities. Our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged.
Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose!
Immigration Reform Control ActIn compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United State as a condition of employment.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The City of Richmond is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, and prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, citizenship, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law.
Disaster Service Workers
California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declare all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found
here.Analyst: J. Somera
03/2025
