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Help Build the Infrastructure That Keeps a Community Moving

As a Public Works Inspector, you’ll spend your days in the field ensuring that streets, sidewalks, drainage systems, and other infrastructure are built safely, correctly, and to the highest standards – work residents experience every time they drive, walk, or bike through town. It’s a strong fit for someone who enjoys hands‑on work, real‑time problem‑solving, and collaborating with contractors, engineers, and the public, and you’ll be part of a team that values service, teamwork, and delivering projects that make a visible difference.

Lafayette blends a welcoming small‑town feel with easy access to the Bay Area’s transportation network, cultural amenities, and recreation. With BART service at the Lafayette Station and quick connections via Highway 24, commuting is simple. Working for the City of Lafayette means enjoying a balanced, high‑quality lifestyle in a community that values thoughtful growth, open space, and public engagement.

What You'll Do

This position offers a mix of fieldwork, technical review, and public interaction. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being outdoors, thrives in active construction environments, and takes pride in ensuring high quality public infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect public works and capital projects – including streets, storm drains, sidewalks, grading, and related infrastructure – for compliance with plans, specifications, codes, and safety standards
• Review construction plans, specifications, and permit applications
• Administer encroachment and transportation permits from issuance through closeout
• Prepare daily inspection reports and maintain project documentation, including support for payments and change orders
• Guide contractors on proper construction methods, materials, and standards
• Oversee field testing for soils, asphalt, and concrete
• Perform survey work and assist with traffic engineering studies
• Investigate resident concerns and coordinate solutions with contractors and City staff
• Serve as a liaison among the City, contractors, utilities, businesses, and property owners
• Support interns and assist with training related to permit processing
• Perform light maintenance tasks such as traffic signal timing adjustments

Who We're Looking For

The City is looking for someone with strong construction knowledge, good judgment, and a commitment to public service. Success in this role comes from being detail‑oriented, confident in the field, and able to communicate clearly with contractors, residents, and colleagues.

Build Your Career. Serve Your Community. Grow with Lafayette.

If you’re looking for a place where your Public Works Inspection skills will be put to work — and where your contributions truly matter — the City of Lafayette is ready to welcome you.

If you're ready to join our Team as our next Public Works Inspector, submit your resume and optional cover letter and apply today!

The City of Berkeley is seeking PE-licensed candidates who are passionate about improving infrastructure for a more sustainable and resilient city. As an Associate Civil Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to apply your engineering knowledge and experience toward the creation and maintenance of state-of-the-art infrastructure, amenities, and facilities. 

When assigned to Public Works, the Associate Civil Engineer will contribute to exciting new projects across the City. Upcoming developments include large mix-used buildings in downtown Berkeley as well as UC Berkeley projects that will require review for impacts to public right-of-way. Other assignments include Construction Management and Inspection, Buildings/Facilities, and Streets. 

When assigned to the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department, the Associate Civil Engineer functions as a project leader for Capital Projects with an emphasis on engineering design. Capital improvement teams are responsible for coordinating with stakeholders and managing contracts to get projects ready for bidding and construction. 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering and three (3) years of professional engineering experience in design and construction work at a level equivalent to the Assistant Civil Engineer class.

Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.

Other requirements include possession of a valid California Registration as a professional Civil Engineer and possession of a valid California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit a completed application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that attachment of a resume is not a substitute for a completed application. 

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.