Job Abstract

The Planning & Development Services Department of the City of Palo Alto is offering an exciting opportunity for team-oriented professionals to fill the position of Building Inspector, Building Inspector Specialist, or Senior Building Inspector, depending upon qualifications. The position will work with builders, owners, designers, construction managers, and developers to ensure projects meet code requirements. The experience, exposure, and access to the industry's leading talent is a unique attribute of the Planning & Development Services Department in Palo Alto.

The successful candidate will join a well-established group of inspectors with a strong work ethic and professional aptitude. The team actively collaborates and supports each other in serving the community. Constituents look to building inspectors to help facilitate successful, code-compliant projects.


Ideal Candidate
Ideal candidates will:

• Have experience working as a building inspector
• Possess ICC certifications
• Have excellent customer service skills
• Interact effectively with co-workers and the public
• Have experience working in a municipality

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following,
For all levels:

• Makes periodic field inspections of work in progress, for example, foundations, plumbing, electrical, framing, mechanical equipment, etc.
• Approves acceptable work or indicates revisions necessary for code or ordinance compliance.
• Conducts final inspection of completed buildings or structures.
• Makes specified inspections of commercial and industrial occupancies to ensure that occupancies and conditions are in conformance with applicable codes and ordinances for use and occupancy.
• Explains code or ordinance requirements to City personnel, builders, architects, contractors, and the public.
• Maintains records of inspections, violation notices, investigations, and other related data.

• Makes periodic field inspections, review field revisions and determines if those revisions need to be submitted for review. Resolves discrepancies and conflicts.
• Collaborates with and supports code enforcement on building-related cases to document and resolve outstanding permitting and safety issues.
• Provides lead direction, monitors and assigns work for the Inspector of Record on Capital Improvement Projects.
• Acts as a liaison to minimize or resolve disputes between Building Inspection staff and developers, contractors, architects, engineers and the public.
• Coordinates and conducts training program. Identifies training needs; sources and or provides training to staff. Identifies training needs and opportunities to conduct and provide training to staff, building permit applicants and community members.
• Reviews changes and updates to all inspection Guidelines prior to publication.

• May assist in plan review of industrial and commercial buildings.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

For all the positions:
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Five years of building inspection experience.
• Possession of a driver's license.

• Possession of, or within in one year of employment, International Code Counsel (ICC) Residential Building Inspector or Commercial Building Inspector certificate.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of employment, International Code Counsel (ICC) Residential Building Inspector or Commercial Building Inspector Certificate. Must also have one specialty certification in addition as defined by the Chief Building Inspector.

• Possession of International Code Counsel (ICC) Residential or Commercial combination inspection certifications (Building Inspector, Mechanical, Plumbing, & Electrical) and one premium certification: LEED BD+C and CASp certifications or equivalent within one year of hire.

Working Conditions:
Office and construction site environment; exposure to dust, noise, odors, uneven walking surfaces, and inclement weather. Activities include climbing, stooping, light lifting, crawling, and inspecting in confined areas, in proximity to construction equipment. Required to implement the use of personal protective equipment as needed: masks, safety glasses, reflective vests, gloves, hard hats and sturdy shoes.

Benefits: Fantastic benefits package:120 hours of vacation

• 12 paid holidays
• Health insurance HMO and PPO choices available
• Fully paid dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Up to 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Retirement pension program administered by CalPERS
• Alternative work schedules, depending upon needs of the City
• Commuter incentives including the CalTrain Go Pass for qualifying staff
• and more....

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email (governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates).
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.