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Job Description
Description
The City's Planning & Development Services Department is offering an exciting opportunity for team-oriented professionals to fill the positions of Building Inspector, Building Inspector Specialist or Senior Building Inspector, depending upon qualifications. You will work closely with builders, owners, designers, construction managers, and developers to ensure projects comply with all applicable code requirements. This opportunity provides unique experience, exposure, and access to the industry's leading talent within Palo Alto's innovative and high-standard community.
Successful candidates will join a well-established team of inspectors known for their strong work ethic and professional aptitude. This collaborative group supports each other in serving the community, with building inspectors playing a critical role in facilitating safe, successful, and code-compliant projects that constituents depend on.
Ideal Candidate- 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
Depending on applicant qualifications, positions may be filled at the appropriate level/salary of:- Building Inspector ($113,152.00 - $138,528.00 Annually)
- Building Inspector Specialist ($120,681.60 - $147,763.20 Annually)
- Senior Building Inspector ($139,422.40 - $170,768.00 Annually)
Benefits: Fantastic benefits package! To learn more, click Here .
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click Here .
This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
More than one position may be filled through this posting.
Essential Duties
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.
For Senior Building Inspector:- 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.
Related Functions :- May assist in plan review of industrial and commercial buildings.
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
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:
For all the levels :- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
- Five years of building inspection experience.
- Possession of a driver's license.
Special Requirements:
Building Inspector:- Possession of, or within in one year of employment, International Code Counsel (ICC) Residential Building Inspector or Commercial Building Inspector certificate.
For the full Building Inspector job description, click Here.
Building Inspector Specialist:- 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.
For the full Building Inspector Specialist job description, click Here.
Senior 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.
F or the full Senior Building Inspector job description, click Here.
Supplemental Information
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.
The Selection Process:- Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
- Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
- 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 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.
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: 7/21/2025 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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