Principal Construction Inspector - Department of Transportation (20636236)

About the Department

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation’s largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visitwww.sanjoseca.gov/transportation.

The Infrastructure Maintenance Division is responsible for maintaining the City’s 2,500 miles of streets and related infrastructure, including paved street surfaces, bridges, traffic signals, streetlights, signs, markings and striping, trees, sidewalks, and landscaping, as well as the public sanitary and storm sewer collection systems. Areas of focus include ensuring a safe workplace, building strong teams, expanding the use of technology, and enhancing analytical skills and ability.  While many of the staff have ‘grown-up’ within the Division, the organization has been successful in attracting and assimilating new talent.

Position Duties

The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill 1 vacancy for the Principal Construction Inspector position in the Pavement Maintenance Division. 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. 
 

The Pavement Maintenance Division plays a critical role in the maintenance and rehabilitation of approximately 2,500 (30-ft equivalent) miles of pavement, overseeing the maintenance of approximately 250 bridges, and over 29,000 ADA curb ramps citywide. 

In the DOT Pavement Maintenance Division, the Principal Construction Inspector performs  the following duties:

• Assist in project scoping, planning, and delivery services through close collaboration with the Pavement Engineering team

• Supervise the pavement maintenance inspection team that consists of Senior and Associate Construction Inspectors

• Plan, coordinate, and allocate inspection resources across multiple projects to ensure adequate coverage, balanced workloads, and timely completion of assignments, while effectively managing competing deadlines and priorities

• Coordinate work of the inspection staff with the Senior Engineers

• Conduct spot check inspections on the pavement maintenance and ADA curb ramp projects, review, and interpret construction plans and specifications ensuring that contractor work meets City Standards Specifications, and signs final inspection notices

• Cross train field inspection staff across programs to ensure proficiency in a variety of inspection areas

• Provides administration and oversight of project management system by assisting users, reviewing project daily logs, ensuring continuity across projects, reviewing and approving pay letters, and troubleshooting software issues

In the DOT Sidewalks team, the Principal Construction Inspector performs the following duties:

• Supervise and track inspection team performance

• Provide quarterly performance measures reports

• Verify inspectors assigning maintenance work are within the allocated budget 

• Knowledge of contract specifications as it pertains to sidewalk, curb/gutter, etc. repair criteria

• Knowledge of ADA requirements as applicable to contract requirements

• Knowledge of concrete mixture specifications, limitations, and requirements as it relates to contract specifications

• Utilize computer-based inventory, spreadsheets, and documents, such as MS Excel, MSWord, MS Outlook, and One Drive

• Completion of performance appraisals

• Review and approve contractor invoices

• Coordinate contractor meetings

• Trains and evaluates work of subordinates; reviews completed work and prepares required records and reports

• Supervises and trains front desk administrative staff

• Perform and coordinate field training of inspection staff

• Manage contractor purchase orders capacities

• Assigns and track progress of contractors 

• Verify services provided by contractor 

• Act as intermediary between public and contractors

• Use tools as necessary to identify slope and ponding issues and recommend corrective action/s as needed

• Responds to resident emails within 48 Hours

The DOT Landscape Inspection and Contract Management Construction Inspector’s key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide oversight to 23 Special District areas, General Fund parcels (Beautify SJ and GF contractual), Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Weed Abatement parcels, Unique Item Inventory (Pedestrian Overcrossings) and Residential Street Sweeping

• Supervise a team of Senior and Associate Construction Inspectors in the field inspection and documentation

• Supervise and track inspection team performance

• Provide quarterly performance measures reports

• Provide monthly Residential Street Sweeping reports

• Verify inspectors assigning maintenance work are within the allocated budget for each assigned maintenance district/s

• Coordinate with budget analyst on special district source and use funding

• Completion of performance appraisals

• Review and approve contractor invoices

• Coordinate contractor meetings

• Trains and evaluates work of subordinates; reviews completed work and prepares required records and reports; participate and support department-wide safety programs

• Perform and coordinate field training of inspection staff

• Cross train field inspection staff across programs to ensure proficiency in a variety of inspection areas

• Oversight of purchase order and contracts management

• Manage contractor purchase orders capacities

• Collaborate with Landscape Designer on potential renovations within Special District areas

• Assist Ops. Manager with new purchase order bids

• Collaborate with the Special District Assistant Arborist on budget and tree maintenance plans

• Utilize computer-based inventory, spreadsheets, and documents, such as MS Excel, MSWord, MS Outlook, and One Drive

• Responds to resident emails within 48 Hours

More information on the typical duties can be found in the Class Specifications for Principal Construction Inspector.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of training and experience equivalent to successful completion of high school

Experience: 

• Nine (9) years of increasingly responsible sub-professional engineering/construction inspection work, including three (3) years at the level of Senior Construction Inspector, Senior Engineering Technician, Party Chief, or equivalent 

• (Completion of a terminal curriculum in engineering technology equivalent to that given in an accredited California junior college or two (2) years of college engineering courses may be substituted for two (2) years of the required remaining experience)

Certifications/Licenses: Possession of a valid driver's license in the State of California

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the most desirable combination of training, skills, and experience, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

JOB EXPERTISE: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

CONSTRUCTIVE ENERGIES: A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others

COMPUTER SKILLS: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

LEADERSHIP: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

PLANNING: Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

SUPERVISION: Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

TEAMWORK & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.