Job Description

Posting number: 0871/0171-0726

Department: Public Works Department

Division: Engineering

Job classification: CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Construction Trades

Summary

This promotional recruitment is

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on August 10, 2026. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.

This posting is a job series in which applications will be accepted, reviewed, and considered based on the qualifications listed on the application. The candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and best meet the City's current needs will be invited to test at the appropriate job level within the series. Only ONE APPLICATION needs to be submitted to be considered for this job series.

Salary:

Construction Inspector: $69,846.40-$98,280.00 Annually

Senior Construction Inspector: $85,238.40-$119,932.80 Annually

In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that becoming the best beach city in the world starts with finding the right people to join our team. We currently have two outstanding career opportunities available and are looking for qualified candidates to serve as a Construction Inspector or Senior Construction Inspector in our Public Works Department.

The ideal candidates would have experience in various public facilities, utilities, and other right of way projects.

Public Works Department

The Public Works Department delivers a wide range of services to the public as well as other City departments. The Department is responsible for the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of City-owned infrastructure. The infrastructure includes buildings, streets, parks, landscaping, flood control, beach facilities, and utilities. Engineering processes and coordinates conditions of approval, plan checks, and permits required for the entitlement of private developments. Engineering oversees right-of-way permits, dock modifications, and road use. The Water Quality Section inspects, monitors, and administers the stormwater program for compliance with various regulations and permits governing urban runoff and stormwater. Inspection reviews developer-installed infrastructure, landscaping, utility work, and capital improvement projects. The Capital Projects Section plans and designs City-funded public improvement projects such as streets, water, and drainage facilities. This program provides construction management services for new public facilities such as parks, recreation centers, fire stations, and beach improvements.

The Positions

Under direct to general supervision, the Construction Inspector performs basic to intermediate level public works construction inspections in the public right-of-way, including capital improvement, subdivision, utilities, and maintenance projects. Construction Inspector is the entry-level classification within the Construction Inspection series and initially performs basic to intermediate public works infrastructure construction and project inspections.

Under general supervision, the Senior Construction Inspector conducts inspections of public works construction projects in the public right-of-way for capital improvements including subdivisions. Senior Construction Inspector is the advanced journey level classification within the Construction Inspection series responsible for performing the most specialized and complex work assigned to the series.

Examples of duties

Construction Inspector

• Inspects a variety of public works, infrastructure, and capital improvement construction, and maintenance projects to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, contract provisions and City, County, and State codes
• Performs inspections of grading, concrete sidewalk, curbs and gutters, driveway approaches, street lights, traffic signing, asphalt paving, structural road sections, sewage systems, water systems, storm drainage systems, catch basins, culverts, and other work required on permits, subdivision developments and minor contracts
• Reviews plans and specifications of assigned construction projects
• Prepares necessary field records and reports as required for approval of assigned work
• Enforces provisions for public safety, pedestrian and vehicle safety in accordance with Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) and City standards
• Coordinates work with project managers, engineers, contractors, developers, other departments, other public and private agencies and all other parties involved
• Provides support to all Public Works Divisions
• Investigates complaints and requests related to the inspection requirements of the Public Works Department
• Travels to offsite locations within and outside the City
• Reports to work as scheduled; may work a variety of schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required

Senior Construction Inspector

• Inspects a variety of complex public works infrastructure, capital improvement, subdivision and maintenance construction projects to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, contract provisions and City, County, and state codes
• Inspects subdivisions, residential, commercial and industrial developments for grading, erosion control, dust control, storm drainage, reinforced concrete structures, street improvements, street lighting, traffic lights, dry utilities, street appurtenances and landscaping
• Reviews plans and specifications of assigned complex construction projects
• Inspects both above and below ground in confined spaces all types of construction work and projects completed in the public right-of-way, including street improvements, sewers, storm drains and buildings, water facilities, pump stations, public utilities, lighting, traffic signals, etc. for conformance to plans and specifications
• Performs field contract administration activities for projects including monitoring, coordinating, evaluating and reporting of contractor activities
• Reviews and monitors traffic control; ensures quality control and testing coordination for a variety of City and outside agency requirements
• Inspects new water facility construction; disinfects and tests new or repaired water systems; performs hydrostatic testing of new water systems
• Enforces National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements; collects water samples and maintains records for public health purposes
• Assists contract administrators on construction projects
• Responsible for overseeing the preparation of "as built" records and drawings
• Provides customer service to engineers, contractors and residents; answers questions and resolves complex construction problems on-site
• Maintains detailed records of all contract activities, bid item quantities, time and materials and work progress on a daily basis
• Monitors compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act as necessary
• Recommends field adjustments and redesign decisions to resolve problems or conflicts
• Provides input to change orders as appropriate
• Reviews and approves soil reports for compaction of grading and trench backfill
• Reviews and approves engineering specifications for rough grade, line and grade of buildings, and final grading and drainage
• Performs a final inspection of an entire subdivision or development before final approval and release of bonds
• In a lead capacity, performs field and technical review of work and progress performed by contract and other City construction inspectors and assists in training as assigned
• Reports to work as scheduled; may work a variety of schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required
• Travels to offsite locations within and outside the City

Click here to view the full job description for Construction Inspector

Click here to view the full job description for Senior Construction Inspector

Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

Construction Inspector

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent certificate. An associate’s degree or certificate from an accredited university or college in public works, civil engineering, drafting, surveying, or other related field desirable.

Experience: Two (2) years’ full-time experience in public agency engineering, public works infrastructure construction or inspection.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Senior Construction Inspector

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent certificate, supplemented by college level coursework in construction management, engineering or a related field. An Associate’s degree or certificate from an accredited university or college in public works, civil engineering, drafting, surveying or other related field desirable.

Experience: Five (5) years’ experience performing public works construction inspections, which include public facilities, buildings, bridges, pump stations, and structural foundations.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Must possess two (2) of the following certificates:

• Public Works Inspector's Certificate
• Public Works Certification or equivalent
• Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII) issued by the American Public Works Association (APWA) or registration as a Construction Inspector issued by the American Construction Inspectors Association (ACIA)
• International Code Conference (ICC) certificate or equivalent as a Special Inspector (concrete or structural masonry inspector)
• Cathodic Protection Technician certification issued by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
• Electrical Power Inspector or
• Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator or Grade 3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Employees regularly assigned/required to drive a city or personal vehicle in the course and scope of work shall be required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull Notice program.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

• An online application must be completed in full.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum education, experience, license and/or certification requirements to be considered.
• Applicants whose qualifications best meet the City’s needs will be invited to participate in a virtual oral examination (weighted 100%), which will be scheduled once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.
• Selection Interview.
• Background.
• Appointment.