Construction Inspector

Note: Proposed salary increase of 3.83% at beginning of 2025, subject to City Council's approval.
 
Public Works Department is an exciting environment committed to serving the residents through a variety of programs. The Department is accredited by the American Public Works Association (APWA) demonstrating use of best practices for the industry and a dedication to continually improving/enhancing operations.

The Engineering Division of Public Works provides in-house construction inspection for City capital projects as well as permitted utility, sanitary sewer repairs, developer extensions, and development projects within City right-of-way. City Construction Inspectors provide, but are not limited to, the following services:
 

• Constructability review of capital project plans and specifications.
• Construction compliance with approved plans, specifications, permit conditions, City codes and regulations.
• Response to questions and inquiries from contractors, developers, and the general public regarding construction activities.

The City's mission is to fulfill the community’s vision through highly valued public service. Our employees work relentlessly to achieve organizational goals while embracing the City’s values. City Mission, Values, and Goals   

DEFINITION
To provide construction inspection on a variety of projects including capital projects, sanitary sewer repair, developer extension, franchise and other utilities, and development projects to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, ordinances, codes and regulations; to review and approve permits for development and utility projects within the City right-of-way; and to respond to questions and inquiries from contractors, developers and the general public regarding construction activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
 Receives supervision from Construction Services ManagerESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Essential Functions:

1. Perform construction inspections and plan review on City capital projects, sanitary sewer repair, developer extensions, private development projects and utility construction projects in the City of right-of-way or other City property; ensure compliance with applicable ordinanc­es, codes, regulations and permit conditions.
2. Inspect construction practices and materials utilized to ensure conformance with approved plans and specifications.
3. Checking grades and lines, quality of materials and conformity with requirements of underground utilities.
4. Review and approve permit applications, technical plans, reports and as-built drawings for development projects in the City right-of-way.
5. Record inspections and update permit status through the City permit tracking software.
6. Read, understand, interpret and analyze engineering plans, specifications, engineering drawings, reports and other documents.  Perform construction inspection to ensure construction meets plans and specifications.
7. Communicate effectively with property owners, contractors, utility representatives and City staff to coordinate project progress, issues, and resolve concerns and/or conflicts.
8. Inspect and inventory City assets to update and maintain the asset management system.
9. Prepare, submit and maintain a variety of written and electronic reports, documentation and project files including daily inspection reports, field note records, material quantity calculations, City asset inventory and photographs.
10. Keep and maintain a conformed set of drawings including revisions, RFIs, change orders; review as-builts prepared by contractors to ensure they are accurate and complete.
11. Coordinate and/or perform field sampling, data collection and materials testing and interpret the results.

Marginal Function:
 Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of construction inspection and testing for private and public projects.
• GIS principles and techniques.
• Principles, practices, materials and terminology related to a variety of construction activities including roadways, parks, storm water, American Disability Act (ADA), water, sanitary sewer, telecommunication, and other utility installation.
• Methods, materials, practices, and techniques involved in the construction of underground utilities, and the ability to perform standard engineering field tests and inspections of sewers and sewer structures.
• Principles and practices of permit processing and plan review.
• Principles and procedures of construction record keeping.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.
• Inspection of federally-funded projects.
• Administration of public works construction contracts including WSDOT Standard Specifications.
• Principles and practices of construction safety.
• Methods and standards for material testing in areas such as soils, concrete, asphalt and utilities.
• Methods and standards of traffic control.

 Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.  
• Inspect development projects in the City's right-of-way and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and ordinances. 
• Examine and interpret plans and specifications, equipment specifications and maintenance diagrams.
• Review and approve permit applications for construction activity in the right-of-way access associated development projects.
• Inspect construction practices and materials.
• Identify and solve problems in the field.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Interpret, apply, and enforce applicable right-of-way codes, ordinances, and regulations. 
• Operate appropriate equipment including a computer, vehicle, smart level, and miscellaneous hand tools.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy, judgment and discretion while remaining courteous and helpful under pressure.
• Prepare and review construction documentation and records.
• Perform math calculations associated with the computation or estimation of project progress, dimensions, quantities, and costs.
• Read, understand, interpret, and analyze engineering plans, specifications, reports and other documents.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with property owners, contractors, utility representatives and City staff to coordinate project progress and resolve concerns or conflicts.
• Read and interpret survey notes and perform basic survey related computations.
• Read and interpret material testing reports and data.
• Utilize computers and technology including spreadsheets, word processing, web-based tools, and pdf editing.

Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:             Possession of CPR/first aid certificate.
      Possession of an appropriate, valid, traffic control card.
      Possession of Certified Erosion Sediment Control Lead (CESCL).
      Possession of valid state-issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
 
 Note:
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing state/federal pre-employment background checks.Conditions Of Employment:

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• This position requires completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment.
• This position requires a valid state-issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record that must be provided prior to start of employment. 

Application Process: 
To demonstrate skills and interest, please complete the application and provide answers to the Supplemental Questions which will help us determine your qualifications for the job. (This application does not allow for attachments.)

Environmental Conditions: Field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, moving equipment, and traffic; inclement weather conditions; work or inspect underground; work on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Salary : $40 - $50