Building Inspector/Senior Building Inspector

The Community

El Paso de Robles, or "The Pass of the Oaks," is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, in San Luis Obispo County. Paso Robles is surrounded by scenic rolling hills and California’s premier wine regions and is only 27 miles from beautiful beaches. This thriving community of over 30,000 actively engaged residents possesses the benefits of a suburban-rural community while retaining a small-town feel. With over 200 wineries nearby and a bustling downtown with a variety of excellent restaurants and specialty retail, Paso Robles is fast becoming one of the most desirable places to live, work, and play.

Paso Robles has a long history of agriculture and hospitality resulting in a strong work ethic and an enjoyable quality of life. Once hailed as the “Almond Capital of the World”, Paso Robles is now known for top quality food, wine, beer, distilled spirits, and an annual calendar filled with events that celebrate everything from wine to pioneers to classic cars. Paso Robles has been honored by the national media, including Country Living’s “10 Best Small Towns in America”; Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “Best Small Towns to Retire to in America”; the Today Show’s “Top Summer Destination for 2021”; a New York Times “Must Visit Region”; Sunset Magazine’s “Best Travel Spots for 2021”; and Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “Wine Region of the Year”.

The City understands the importance of business development and works hard to attract commerce in a diverse array of industries. The economic outlook for Paso Robles continues to be strong. The housing market is robust and offers a wide array of housing choices including new neighborhoods, houses with acreage, infill, and charming Victorian homes, with a median home price of about $634,500. Paso Robles also has excellent schools, both public and private. Approximately half an hour away is the nationally ranked Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and within the city of Paso Robles is Cuesta College, North County Campus.

The Organization

The City was incorporated in 1889 as a general law City that operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a general population of 30,907 as of January 1, 2024. The governing body consists of a five-member City Council and, beginning in 2020, the City is now divided into four voting districts, each district represented by one City Councilmember residing in that district; the Mayor’s position remains at-large. The voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is the Chief Executive Officer, and is empowered to appoint all non-elected employees, except for the City Attorney.

The City has a total annual budget of $170 million for fiscal year 2024/2025, and a total of 304.4 FTEs across the departments of: Administrative Services, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Community Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Police, Public Works, and Utilities.

• Inspects commercial and residential buildings and structures to determine compliance with codes and approved plans
• Confers, collaborates, and assists with architects, engineers, contractors, builders, homeowners, tenants, and the general public in the field and in the office regarding the interpretation of building code requirements and restrictions
• Provides oversight and work instruction/review to lower-level staff
• Provides training to staff regarding building codes and other related requirements
• Performs plan checks to confirm conformance with codes
• Inspects potentially substandard, damaged, illegally constructed, and poorly maintained or dangerous buildings
• Identifies and enforces a variety of codes, ordinances, and standards violations
• Works with approved construction documents including working drawings, specifications, and structural calculations
• Reads and interprets building construction and engineering plans, supporting documents, and building codes
• Prepares and maintains reports, letters, and correction notices on code issues and variations from approved plans; prepares reports as necessary 
• Maintains and updates records of permits and licenses issued utilizing permit tracking software and performs related information research and retrieval
• Participates and engages in continuing education activities on an on-going basis
• Performs related duties as required

• Basic supervisory principles and practices
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise written correspondence, reports, and recommendations
• Federal, state, county and city codes, regulations, policies, laws, rules, agreements, technical processes and procedures related to city and departmental activities
• Principles, safety standards, and techniques of commercial, industrial, and residential building construction and inspection
• Methods, practices, and materials used in construction work
• Building codes, ordinances, and policies applicable to fire, life safety, disabled access, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural codes
• Common sense approach to inspection and plan check 
• Computer applications related to the work, including email, word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, representatives of other agencies, and City staff

• Serve as a technical resource in solving difficult problems or assignments
• Recognize correct installations of building systems
• Conduct special projects involving difficult, critical, and/or technical work responsibilities 
• Enter data and retrieve information from various computer systems
• Detect deviations from approved construction documents and City standards and specifications
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, applicants, contractors, and the public
• Interpret and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations
• Compile information from varied sources and prepare accurate records and reports
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines
• Organize assigned work, initiate processes, coordinate projects, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments
• Read and interpret complex drawings, surveys, plans, schematic diagram, blueprints, codes, and regulations. 
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine work for conformance with codes and the approved plans, regulations, and standard construction practices. 
• Research and interpret codes, plans, reports, survey documents, and legal agreements
• Maintain knowledge of pertinent construction standards and practices including those related to transportation, domestic water, wastewater, stormwater, flood control, natural gas, electric, telecommunication, traffic control, and erosion control
• Maintain personal and professional standards of continuous improvement; update job knowledge as to changing products, technologies, and codes
• Take appropriate safety precautions to prevent accidents, be responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment, use all required safety equipment and follow all safety regulations, policies, and procedures, and report all accidents/damage to city property
• Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills, strong attention to detail, and mathematical aptitude

• Equivalent to graduation from high school 
• Four years of responsible related technical experience conducting building inspections and/or enforcement, in the building or construction trades as a contractor, construction journeyperson, builder, or construction supervisor, or a related field.

Salary : $76,239 - $106,319