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The City of San Carlos is recruiting for a Building Inspector I/II position. The position will be filled at the I or II level. Appointment will be made at the appropriate level depending upon qualifications.

Building Inspector I

This is the entry level position in the Building Inspector series. Under direction  from the Building Official or designated appointee, the Building Inspector I inspects buildings being constructed, altered, or repaired; Determines conformance with approved plans, adopted codes, zoning laws, statutes and ordinances; Plan checks residential and less complicated commercial projects; Responds to questions from the public at the counter and through other forms of communication; Investigates complaints and prepares  notices  and  reports;  Receives  applications  and  issues  permits  as  directed;  Maintains  and improves computer permitting and record maintenance, and performs other work as required.

The Building Inspector I level is distinguished from the Building Inspector II level due to the level of experience in the field of building inspection and the level of job knowledge.  This is a generalist class wherein incumbents are charged with conducting inspections in the less complicated phases of building construction and plan review.

Building Inspector II

This is the journey level position in the Building Inspector series.  The Building Inspector II is responsible for enforcement of codes, ordinances and approval conditions applicable to building construction, alterations and zoning, and interacts extensively with the public.  The Building Inspector II works independently in the field, and is responsible for decisions requiring technical judgment and expertise. This position reports to the Building Official or designated appointee.

The Building Inspector II position is distinguished from the Building Inspector I position due to the higher level of experience and knowledge in the field of building inspection.  Promotional appointees shall serve a 1-year probation period.  This is a generalist class wherein incumbents are charged with conducting inspections in the more complicated phases of building construction and plan review.

Essential Duties

Building Inspector I

• Inspects buildings and structures in various stages of progress using approved plans and codes to determine conformance.
• Discusses conformance problems with contractors and permit holders and assists them by indicating needed changes and possible modifications to bring the construction into conformity.
• Issues Stop Work Notices in situations where work is performed without benefit of a permit.
• Follows  a  predetermined  schedule  of  inspections  in  an  assigned  area  and  prepares  reports  of inspections made.  Schedules and coordinates field operations at request of Building Official.
• Maintains records of inspections made and actions taken.
• Prepares reports of deficiencies with respect to structural stability, sanitation, electrical, adequacy of heating and ventilating facilities, their use, and occupancy.  Submits reports to the Building Official for review.
• Accepts completed permit applications for review.
• Logs applications and updates information in the Building Department computer system.
• Reviews residential and less complicated commercial plans for conformance to adopted codes.
• Prepares plan check comments and correspondence with applicants.  Prepares permit fees and issues permits as directed.
• Responds to questions and information requests from the public regarding building codes, and status of applications or permits.
• Receives and investigates building complaints from the public.
• Investigates NPDES complaints from the public or staff as directed and prepares reports and posts necessary notices as directed by the Building Official.
• Maintains the designated permitting software selected by the City.   Suggests improvements to the overall efficiency of the system.  Relays the use of the system to other members of the Building Division staff and assists them in its use.

Building Inspector II

• Inspects buildings in a thorough manner, detecting errors and deviations from approved plans.  Ensures compliance with codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos.  Resolves problems in the field in a timely and friendly manner.
• Checks to ensure the quality of building materials and methods used in construction, or alterations, are in conformance with codes  and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos.
•  Ensures construction or alteration of buildings is performed safely in accordance with approved plans and specifications.
•  Provides useful and helpful information to builders and others regarding Federal, State, and local construction requirements, and   may assist the Building Official in training of other inspectors.
•  Checks building sites to ensure proper building permits have been obtained for the work performed, and takes appropriate action   to correct violations if necessary.
•  Issues correction notices for code violations and recommends action to the Building Official if corrections are not made. 
•  Makes and keeps accurate logs and records regarding building inspections, violation notices, investigations, and related   information.  Ensures the logs and records are up-to-date, legible, complete, and descriptive of the problems encountered and   how they were resolved.
•  Maintains a current, thorough working knowledge of relevant building codes and standards, and is able to correctly interpret and apply them.  Studies new materials and methods of building construction to keep abreast of changing technology in the building construction industry. 
•  Recommends issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to the Building Official after conducting a final inspection of completed work   and approval of structures and installations.
•  Anticipates construction problems, and consistently takes steps to minimize the amount of corrective work needed by   communicating with the applicant or contractor.
•  Uses work time efficiently.  Keeps up with assigned inspections and is prompt for inspection appointments.  Notifies builder or   home-owner if late for scheduled appointments.  Consistently completes a reasonable number of inspections in relation to work   time available.  Schedules and coordinates field operations at request of Building Official.
•  Reads and understands approved building plans.  Effectively interprets plans while conducting field inspections required for the     project.
•  Checks and analyzes building construction plans in a timely manner to ensure compliance with applicable codes and policies.       Identifies needed corrections and issues correction notices clearly explaining items to be addressed.
•  Ensures deficiencies identified in plans are corrected prior to permit issuance.
• Maintains up-to-date, accurate commentaries of plan errors, and assists with permits and applications at the service counter.

The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the City.

Final filing date: Before 5:00pm, Friday, October 31, 2025

Tentative 1st Interview Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Tentative 2nd Interview Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025

Resume will not be accepted in lieu of application. Application, including all work history, must be fully completed if a resume is attached. Incomplete and/or inaccurate applications may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. All communication regarding your status in this recruitment process will be conducted via email or postal mail. Be sure to include a valid e-mail address on the employment application. It is suggested that you add sancarlos@calopps.org and hr@cityofsancarlos.org to your e-mail contacts or safe senders list to help ensure that you receive our e-mails. Applicants are responsible for notifying Human Resources of any changes to contact information.

Appointment to this position is contingent upon:

*Reference Check

*A pre-employment fingerprinting criminal history records check

*Employment and education verification

Hourly Salary Range:

Building Inspector I: $52.11 - $63.34

Building Inspector II: $56.99 - $69.27

The City of San Mateo Community Development Department is looking for a

Building Inspector I/II

Why Join our Department?

The City of San Mateo is a very progressive City that encourages staff and resident engagement to develop positive solutions that meet the demands of our community. You’ll be joining a talented team in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment dedicated to serving the San Mateo community.  The Community Development Department’s core function is to ensure a quality-built environment, healthy neighborhoods, and a strong economic base in the City. 

The Community Development Department is staffed by 50 employees. The Department, which is divided into four divisions: Building, Code Enforcement, Housing and Planning, provides a broad range of functions relating to the development of the community.  The Planning Division provides long-range planning and review of applications for new developments.  The Code Enforcement Division provides maintenance of the city’s neighborhoods.  The Housing Division provides development and administration of affordable housing programs.  The Building Division provides construction permit review, issuance, and inspection for residential and commercial structures. The Building Division is currently seeking to fill a vacancy for the position of Building Inspector I/II.

Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Creativity, Transparency and Informed Risk-taking are attributes that we are seeking in the candidates.

What You’ll Do

To conduct inspections of routine and intricate structural and building systems during different phases of construction, modification, and repair projects; to collaborate with other departments and conduct investigations to ensure adherence to housing, zoning, environmental, and overall land use regulations; to assist in the examination of building plans and specifications; to maintain accurate records utilizing software and computer systems; and to perform related tasks as necessary.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at www.cityofsanmateo.org.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES ‑ Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Building Inspector I/II

• Conduct combination field inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential buildings during various stages of construction and remodeling; ensure proper and safe installations of routine and complex building systems; ensure building progress conforms to all applicable California Building Standards (Title 24, California Code of Regulations), City adopted codes and ordinances, and pertinent provisions of Federal, State and County health and environmental ordinances.
• Respond to emergencies when called upon by supervisor, or emergency dispatchers, to assist as technical expert in evaluation of safety.
• Issue permits for work to be performed.
• Review plans and specifications.
• Assist in the plan checking of residential and commercial projects.
• Participate in Fire Department and County Health Department inspections as required in one or more inspection disciplines such as electrical, plumbing, or mechanical.
• Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments to ensure compliance with conditions attached to projects by the Development Review Board, the Planning Commission or the City Council.
• Conduct inspections with the Code Enforcement officers to verify complaints and/or conditions violating building and zoning codes; conduct follow up inspections to check and verify that conditions are completed.
• Conduct inspections, prepare reports and serve as needed to assist the City Attorney in legal actions initiated by the Building Division.
• Respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints regarding the City's building inspection function.
• Advise property owners, contractors, and others on matters relevant to construction and repair methods and materials; interprets codes and regulations and explains inspection programs; investigates and resolves complaints and problems.
• Retrieve, investigate and analyze building, assessor's parcels, files and other computerized records from computer database as required.
• Confer with architects, contractors, builders and the general public in the field and office; explain and interpret requirements and restrictions; review reports from special inspection agencies, engineers, and architects relating to specific projects.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records and prepare reports.
• Monitor compliance, including after violations.
• Provide public assistance and information over the counter.
• Conduct review of complex technical documents for conformance with accuracy, industry standards, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Prepare reports, warning letters, citations, calculations, analysis, grants, diagrams, or technical materials for City, City Committees, public vendor, state and federal filings, and advisory reports.
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures and make recommendations on programs and projects.
• Proficient in using computer software and specialized equipment relevant to job duties.

The City of Foster City is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Building Inspector who is knowledgeable of Building codes and local ordinances to join the Building Division of our Community Development Department. The Department consists of Building, Planning, and Code Enforcement Divisions and is headed by Community Development Director. 

Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way would be:

Education: Graduation from high school or the equivalent. A desired course of additional education would include two (2) years of college course work in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Inspection, or completion of an Apprenticeship Program in a building construction related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of experience including a minimum of two (2) years of full-time plan check experience and two (2) years of progressively increasing responsibility in a variety of municipal building inspection work. Each year of college education in building construction, engineering, drafting, architecture or related courses may substitute for a year of experience.

Licenses, Certificates, Registration

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment. For positions where the ability to drive is not an essential function, the employee must be able to arrange reliable and timely transportation through private or public transportation for attendance at off-site meetings, events, and trainings.
• Possession of the International Code Council (I.C.C.) Full Combination Building Inspector Certificate is required at the time of appointment.
• Incumbents must acquire an ICC Plans Examiner Certificate within one year of hiring.

To review the full job announcement, click on the "Foster City Principal Building Inspector Flyer" below.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for relevant education, experience, training and other job related qualifications. Based upon a review of employment applications received, a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process. 

The process will consist of an Oral Panel Interview. An eligibility list will be established from those who pass the examination process with a score of 70% or higher. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain in effect for at least one year unless exhausted sooner. 

The department will invite the most qualified candidates from the eligibility list to a final department interview. The Community Development Department will make the hiring decision. 

Expected Dates for Examinations (subject to change): 
Oral Panel Interview: Week of November 3 (exact date TBD)
Department Interview: Week of November 10 (exact date TBD) 

Note: Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the selection process. The City of Foster City reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process. 

Application Filing Period: Closes at 5:00pm on the date stated in the job announcement; however, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended. 

Under general supervision, the Plan Checker performs professional work in checking plans, calculations, specifications, technical reports, and other submittal documents for compliance with state and local building codes, ordinances, regulations and energy standards; receives and checks plans and designs new and remodeled commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to ensure compliance; assists inspectors, contractors, design professionals, and the public regarding construction requirements; performs related work as required.

Examples of typical job functions:

• Checks for compliance with requirements of applicable state and local codes and ordinances relating to architecture, and plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and energy systems.
• Uses digital plan review or other prescribed method to assist in the review of building plans and specifications and permit tracking software during the building permit process.
• Drafts plan review comments relative to code requirements in a matter that is technically sufficient for the professional and fundamentally understandable by the owner or builder.
• Provides expedited plan check services at the customer counter.
• Assists with and participates in the meetings between design professional, owners, builders, and others to explain, clarify and/or discuss comments on the submitted projects.
• Works with other state and county departments to ensure a complete and accurate plan review.
• Identifies project data necessary for permit processing such as project valuations type of construction, use, quantity, building size and provides that information in an easily understandable format to permit processing staff.
• Communicates with field inspectors, permit technicians and other departments to gain additional knowledge on projects that might affect the permit process to coordinate project if needed.
• Prepares plan review reports, comment sheets, and correspondence noting plan deficiencies and building code enforcement issues; maintains records of plan checking activities.
• Refers to a variety of manuals, documents and books including California Building Standards Code and reference documents and ICC Research Reports.
• Responds to public inquiries over the telephone, email or at the counter concerning questions regarding permit processing, building, or other construction-related questions; assists applicants in achieving compliance with various codes and regulations.
• Attends meetings to review and discuss plans, documents, and code requirements; performs field reviews as necessary.
• Conduct plan checks on commercial and residential projects.
• Maintains accurate records, reports, and tracks ongoing activities and outcomes.

This is a Temporary Provisional position.  

A provisional appointee must participate and be successful in a Civil Service Examination process for this classification and be selected through an open competitive process in order to be considered for a permanent appointment. 

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

• Applications Open: May 19, 2023
• Applications Close: No earlier than Sunday, June 9, 2023
• Salary $116,272

Are you passionate about Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, and the Community we serve? Are you a dedicated professional who wants to maximize their impact in the lives of some of San Francisco’s most marginalized youth? If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to join a team that is devoted to re-imagining Juvenile Justice, committed to racial equity, and focused on ensuring long-term public safety through the development, enrichment, and accountability of young people we serve throughout San Francisco. Read more about the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (JPD). 

Job Description

Under general supervision, operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs a wide variety of pumping, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and auxiliary plant machinery and equipment in a large complex or multi-faceted facility. Ensures that all equipment, machinery and systems are functioning normally and safely, and complies with all applicable safety rules and regulations.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Operates, maintains and repairs a wide variety of pumping, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and power generating equipment in a large complex or multi-faceted facility to ensure the safe, correct and efficient functioning of the facility and equipment may be required to operate computerized building management systems, preventative or predictive maintenance computer systems or Computerized Data Gathering System (SCADA).2. Inspects and tests: machinery and equipment for safe, efficient and proper operation by visual and audio inspection during walk-throughs and by standard monitoring; fire prevention equipment to ensure safe and proper functionality; water storage and multiple distribution systems, high pressure zones, wood and steel storage tanks, pumps and relief valves, and samples of water.

3. Makes entries and keeps records on shift operation by taking and entering gauge readings and accurate water laboratory analysis readings and temperatures on operating log sheets or into a computer data system to ensure preventative maintenance and equipment history; and changes charts and recordings accordingly.

4. Receives, records and stores large amounts of treatment chemicals and may handle hazardous chemicals in confined or enclosed areas; must be capable of safely and properly handling chemical spills; may also include handling and treatment of industrial or hazardous waste.

5. Contacts, communicates and is required to deal with contractors, building tenants and/or the general public in order to be able to discharge assigned duties.

6. Maintains keys, communications equipment, and security (in the absence of Security Personnel), in order to ensure the security of a plant and buildings and grounds, including public safety. As part of an emergency response team, recognizes, evaluates, and responds to potentially hazardous situations.

7. Performs control tests on water samples to determine chlorine and fluoride residual, pH, alkalinity, turbidity, color, saturation index and flocculation factors; under supervision, conducts water analysis and regulates treatment chemical dosages to maintain water quality in filtration plant, distribution system, or other large complex facility may also be required to perform water analysis on water/wastewater as required by the State of California; performs boiler water and cooling tower chemical tests, including pH, alkalinity TDS, etc., to monitor and control growth of organisms in water.