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Job Description
Description
Shape the Future of Our Community Spaces: Join Us as a Inspector Field Services!
The Opportunity
Picture yourself in a role where your work directly impacts the safety, beauty, and functionality of the parks and public spaces that bring joy to our community. The City of Palo Alto is seeking a dedicated Inspector Field Services to join our Park Services team. In this role, you’ll ensure that construction, maintenance, and repair projects meet the highest standards of quality and safety, helping to preserve and enhance the spaces that make Palo Alto a vibrant place to live, work, and play.
About Park Services
Park Services is responsible for maintaining 162 developed acres of urban parklands, from intimate neighborhood parks to expansive community spaces like Rinconada Park, Mitchell Park, and Greer Park. Beyond parks, the division cares for landscapes at libraries, community centers, business districts, medians and roadside planter strips, and utility substations. Our work includes maintaining playgrounds, athletic fields, irrigation systems, picnic facilities, and more, ensuring these spaces remain safe, functional, and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Our Vision
We are committed to enhancing the quality of life in Palo Alto by maintaining and improving our parks and public spaces. Through careful inspection, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create environments that foster recreation, connection, and a deep appreciation for nature.
Key Responsibilities
As our Inspector Field Services , you’ll:- Inspect contractor activities to ensure compliance with project plans, specifications, and timelines.
- Review plans and specifications for construction projects to confirm they meet established standards.
- Provide inspections for capital and maintenance work for the Utilities Department and Public Works/Operations Division.
- Monitor State, County, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and private utility projects within City limits.
- Consult with engineers, contractors, and subdividers to ensure projects align with City standards.
- Assist in tabulating completed work quantities, preparing cost estimates, and processing contractor payments.
- Ensure contractor compliance with safety regulations and City/State specifications.
- Inspect irrigation systems and coordinate repairs with irrigation personnel.
- Recommend extra work orders and field contract changes as needed.
- Conduct safety inspections for playgrounds and coordinate repairs to ensure safe, functional play areas.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a detail-oriented professional who brings:- Education and Experience:
- Two years of college in civil engineering or landscape horticulture and two years of experience in parks maintenance, or
- A high school diploma or GED and four years of experience in parks maintenance.
- Certification:
- For the Parks Division: Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI)
- Skills and Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of construction standards, safety regulations, and inspection practices.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with contractors, engineers, and the public.
- Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications.
- A valid California Driver’s License.
Your Future in Park Services
Join our team, and you’ll have the opportunity to:- Make a tangible impact on the quality of life in Palo Alto by ensuring the safety and functionality of public spaces.
- Work in a dynamic environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities.
- Collaborate with a dedicated team committed to maintaining and improving our community’s parks and facilities.
- Contribute to the preservation and enhancement of natural spaces that bring joy to thousands of residents and visitors.
Join Our Team!
If you’re passionate about maintaining the beauty and safety of public spaces and ensuring compliance with the highest standards, we invite you to apply for the Inspector Field Services position with the City of Palo Alto’s Park Services team. Together, we can create and sustain spaces that inspire and serve our community.
Interview Process:
Qualified candidates should be prepared for the following tentative interview schedule:- First Round of Interviews: Tentatively scheduled for the week of March 10 th
- Final Round of Interviews with Hiring Manager: Will take place two weeks following first round of interviews
Please note that these dates are subject to change. Selected candidates will be notified with specific details.
This is a union position represented by the Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Inspects activities of contractor to ensure that work done is in compliance with project plans and specifications, and in accordance with the approved time table.
- Reviews plans and specifications for conformance to established standards for construction projects.
- Provides inspections for capital and maintenance work generated by the Utilities Department and Public Works/Operations Division.
- Inspects and monitors State, County, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and private utility projects under construction within the City limits.
- Consults with public and private engineers, contractors and sub-dividers regarding construction projects.
- Assists in the tabulation of quantity of work completed, cost estimates, and preparation of payments to Contractors.
- Ensures contractor's conformance to applicable safety regulations as well as City and State standard specifications.
- Inspects irrigation systems, monitors and coordinates repairs with irrigation personnel.
- Assists in developing specifications, inspection and payment of park maintenance contracts
- Recommends extra work orders and field contract changes.
Related Functions:- Assists in coordinating materials testing.
- Establishes and maintains working relations with property owners and the general public.
- Participates in surveying when required.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required
- Provides safety inspections for playgrounds at city parks and monitors and coordinates all repairs.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:- Two years of college in civil engineering or landscape horticulture; and
- Two years experience in parks maintenance or
- High school graduate or GED; and
- Four years experience in parks maintenance
For Parks division: Within 12 months of appointment, incumbent will be required to obtain Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification and keep the certification current while holding this position.
Special Requirements:- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
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 after the posting closes.
- 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.
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Compensation (SEIU) : Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 2/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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