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The ideal candidate for Plan Check Engineer with our Office of Building Safety will possess strong technical background in structural engineering and/or building life safety in a wide range of residential and commercial projects.  This candidate will be proactive, customer service-oriented, and a team player and demonstrates effective communication skills.  Analytical skills, initiative, independent judgment, along with strong time management and attention to detail, are key attributes for success in this role.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB ANNOUNCEMENT URL BELOW.

SENIOR BUILDING INSPECTOR
Salary: $58.52 - $74.69 Hourly

The final filing date is, Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

We build community trust by delivering exceptional services. Our Core Values of Public Service: Integrity, Leadership, and Respect. The City of Sunnyvale is hiring (1) full-time Senior Building Inspector in the Department of Community Development.

Sunnyvale is a dynamic city in the heart of Silicon Valley. Construction activities continue to grow with a wide range of project types, including tech manufacturing, hazardous occupancies, single-family residential, and multistory mixed-use, multifamily, and commercial buildings.

This position shares the responsibility of supervising 9 experienced inspectors with another Senior Building Inspector. The Building Division is a cohesive and supportive unit that helps each other navigate code compliance and enforcement issues.

The list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies in the Community Development Department.

The City of Sunnyvale provides an excellent benefits package. A complete application consists of a City application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.  The position opens Monday, February 9, 2026 and final filing date is Monday, March 23, 2026 5:00 PM. For complete information regarding this current opportunity, please visit: Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
An Associate's degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units in engineering technology, architecture, construction management or related field; AND
Four years of professional, full-time experience as a building inspector with a public agency, OR
Graduation from high school or tested equivalent; AND
Four years of professional, full-time experience as a building inspector with a public agency and two years as a licensed general contractor.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid Class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.
Possession and continued maintenance of ICC Certifications:  Building Inspector (B1 and B2), Electrical Inspector (E1 and E2), Plumbing Inspector (P1 and P2), and Mechanical Inspector (M1 and M2).

Description

The Department:

The Community Development Department strives to enhance the community’s safety, welfare, quality of life, and economic opportunities by providing advanced planning, development review, permitting and inspection services, as well as administration of programs related to affordable housing. To learn more about the City of Santa Clara's Department of Community Development/Housing click here.

The Position:

The Combination Inspector is responsible for performing the building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections.  Each Inspector may be assigned to one or more of the following Programs or specialties: Code Enforcement, Building, Electrical, Permit Center, and Plumbing & Mechanical.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment. 

Additional Information:

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This position is continuous: First review of applications will be on November 7, 2025. After the initial review, applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position.  If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.

The annual salary range for this position is $125,115.24 - $159,613.32 annually. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

*Please note: Tentative testing date will be the week of November 17 – 21, 2025.*

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education Requirements:

Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

Five (5) years of experience as a journey person in the building construction or related trades

OR

Three (3) years of experience as a Combination Inspector in a city or county inspection jurisdiction

OR

Possession of a State of California license as a general (B-l) or electrical (C-10) or plumbing (C-36) or heating, ventilating, air conditioning (C-20) contractor for a minimum of two (2) years

Acceptable Substitution:

None

License/Certifications:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required. 

Certification by the International Code Council or other recognized agency, as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical Inspector is required within one (1) year of appointment and for continued employment in this class

Desirable Qualifications:

Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification is desirable

Other Requirements: 

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job assignment

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.