Building Inspector / Senior Building Inspector

City of San Pablo (CA) • Full-time • CA, CA • $8.00k - $10.69k / month • 4d ago

Filing Deadline: Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. or first 100 applicants (whichever occurs first)

Applications MUST be submitted online at www.governmentjobs.com

The City of San Pablo is recruiting to fill one vacancy in the Building Inspector Series. Depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate, the position may be filled at either the Building Inspector level or the Senior Building Inspector Level.

DEFINITION

Under supervision (Building Inspector) or general directions (Senior Building Inspector), the incumbent performs inspections of new constructions, alterations, and repairs; conducts code enforcement and Residential Health and Safety program activities; ensures work complies with adopted building codes and City ordinances; and provides technical assistance to staff and the public. At the Senior level, the incumbent additionally leads and oversees the inspection of complex building systems, and coordinates and schedules inspections, participates in the review of building plans and specifications, and provides training to lower-level inspectors.

DISTINGUSHING CHARACTERISTICS

Building Inspector:

This is the journey level in the single-level technical Building Inspector Class. Incumbents initially perform the more routine duties assigned to positions in this class and work under close supervision. As experience is gained, incumbents are expected to perform the full range of duties with increasing independence.

Senior Building Inspector:
This is an advanced journey-level class in the Building Inspector Series. Incumbents perform the most complex building inspection work requiring the use of considerable independent judgment and initiative. A Senior Building Inspector is expected to assume responsibility for inspection scheduling, coordinating inspection activities with other departments, and providing training to lower-level Building Inspectors.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Building Inspector:
Receives general supervision from an assigned supervisor

Senior Building Inspector

General Direction is provided by the Chief Building Official/Plan Checker. Assignments may require the indirect supervision of a lower-level building inspector.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following. Duties marked (Senior) are generally performed at the advanced journey level.

Schedule and perform building inspections at various stages of progress of new and remodeled commercial and residential buildings, code enforcement investigations, mobile home park local enforcement, and the Residential Health & Safety program.
Conduct periodic field inspections of buildings to ensure compliance with structural, accessibility, electrical, mechanical, energy, fire, and green codes and standards.
Inspect buildings for code enforcement cases and evaluate commercial and residential structures, including rental units and mobile homes, for compliance with housing code requirements.
Approve acceptable work or indicate revisions necessary for code or ordinance compliance; issue notices of improper or hazardous structures to owners or builders, including stop work orders.
Calculate and impose civil penalties, fines, and fees as needed.
Inspect foundation, concrete, framing, plastering, structural members, accessibility, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, fire, and green codes and standards, and a variety of other building system elements. (Senior: routine and complex systems.)
Check commercial and residential building plans and specifications for compliance with the International Code Series as adopted by the City of San Pablo, the California Building Code, Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), Buildings and Construction Code (Title 15), Health and Safety Code (Title 8), Subdivisions Code (Title 16), Signs Code (Title 18), and other related codes and ordinances. (Senior)
Prepare and issue Plan Check review reports in consultation with the Chief Building Official. (Senior)
Interpret codes and ordinances and respond to questions and concerns/complaints from engineers, architects, contractors, and the public relative to inspection activities, plan checks, and building permit requirements.
Receive, check, and process requests for building permits; approve building permit applications and issue permits as appropriate, including the calculation and determination of appropriate fees in coordination with the Permit Technicians. (Senior)
Complete and maintain a variety of records, reports, documents, and correspondence related to field inspections, including the use and maintenance of an automated permit tracking system.
Coordinate inspection activities with other departments and outside agencies, and coordinate the City's code enforcement and abatement program (along with the Police Department) and the Residential Health and Safety program.
Investigate and work to resolve code compliance complaints by tenants, residents, other public agencies, and other interested parties.
Provide emergency inspection services on an as-called/as-needed basis, when required by the Chief Building Official, to evaluate incidents such as building fires, vehicle-into-building crashes, and natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. (Senior)
Provide training to other inspection staff as necessary. (Senior)
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service; foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Methods, practices, and materials used in commercial and residential building construction, alteration, and repair.
California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, and Housing Codes.
California Building Code, Title 24, Accessibility, and Green Codes.
Federal, State, and local laws, statutes, codes, and ordinances relating to commercial and residential building construction.
Principles and practices of building inspection work and code enforcement.
Public contact and communication skills.

Ability To:

Keep all certifications current and up to date with the International Code Council (ICC).
Read, interpret, and understand the various codes and ordinances relating to building inspection work.
Read and interpret plans and specifications and detect defects and faulty workmanship and materials.
Evaluate the quality of materials and workmanship used in residential and commercial building construction.
Perform inspections, including complex and difficult inspections at the Senior level.
Enforce codes, regulations, and ordinances firmly, impartially, and with tact.
Prepare a variety of reports using specialized software; operate modern office equipment, including computers and applicable software.
Learn, interpret, and explain applicable codes and regulations; use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
Provide training to other inspection staff (Senior).
Safely operate a city vehicle and maintain a safe and insurable driving record.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Maintain regular attendance and adhere to a prescribed work schedule; utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.

Experience and Education:

Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities is described below for each level.

Building Inspector:

Experience: Two years of responsible inspection experience with a public agency, or four years of increasingly responsible experience in the building trades.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

Senior Building Inspector:

Experience: Three years of experience in the building inspections field performing journey-level, complex, and difficult inspections. One or more years of past experience in at least one of the construction trades is preferred.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by specialized courses in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field.

License or Certificates:

All Levels:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.

Building Inspector

Possession of, or ability to obtain within 12 months of appointment, a Residential Building Inspector certificate from the International Code Council (ICC), and at least one specialty inspector certificate (plumbing, electrical, or mechanical).

Senior Building Inspector

Possession of at least two specialty inspector certificates (e.g., plumbing, electrical, mechanical) from the ICC.
Possession of a Residential and a Commercial Building Inspector certificate from the ICC, or ability to obtain such certificate(s) within 12 months of employment.
Possession of a Plan Checker certificate from the ICC, or ability to obtain such certificate within 12 months of employment.
Possession of a Combination Residential and Combination Commercial Building Inspector certification from the ICC is desirable.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

The work requires a combination of the following physical requirements depending upon a given task on a given day: up to 3 hours of standing, sitting, bending, crouching, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, balancing, turning, or jumping; between 3 to 6 hours of walking, lifting, and carrying supplies and material up to 50 lbs., and pushing or pulling material up to 10 lbs.; up to 3 hours of verbal contact face-to-face, on the phone, or with the public (speech and hearing); up to 3 hours of reaching forward and overhead; finger dexterity, grasp (firm and light), pinching grasp; and vision accuracy (near and far), depth perception, field of vision, and color vision.

Work is performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to extreme heat and cold; unprotected heights; moving machinery; changes in temperature and humidity; dust, fumes, smoke, and gases; toxic/caustic chemicals; excessive noise; solvents, grease, or oil; and work is frequently performed on uneven, sloping, or slippery surfaces. Work is performed around others and alone; hard hats and protective footwear are required.

How to Apply:

Applications will only be accepted online at http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanpabloca.

For general questions, call the Human Resources Division at (510) 215-3000. Applications must be submitted to GovernmentJobs.com by the posted date and time. Applications not submitted by the posted date and time will not be considered. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the subsequent phases of the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements of the position does not guarantee advancement in any phase of the selection process. Final selection will be made from an eligibility list.

Recruitment Timeline:

Although dates may change, we suggest planning your calendar accordingly, as these are currently the only interview dates.

First Round Interviews: Week of July 13
Second Round Interviews: Week of July 20
Estimated Start Date: September 1, 2026

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Background investigation and pre-employment medical examination: Successful candidates will undergo a complete background investigation, fingerprinting, and a pre-employment medical examination, which may include a TB test.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Please contact the Human Resources Department on, or before, the filing deadline if special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process. Every attempt will be made to consider your request (medical documentation must be provided upon request).

Immigration Reform & Control Act: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all potential employees will be required to provide proof of United States citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy: In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, it is the objective of the City of San Pablo to achieve a drug-free workplace.