Senior Inspector

Salary : $135,246.00 - $172,696.44 Annually
Location : 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 29-26-750
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 5
Weighting Plan: 100% Oral


Description
**PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSTING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A CONTINUOUS POSTING. IF YOU ALREADY APPLIED, YOU DON'T NEED TO REAPPLY**
The Department:

The Community Development Department strives to enhance the community's safety, welfare, quality of life, and economic opportunities by providing advanced planning, development review, permitting and inspection services, as well as administration of programs related to affordable housing. To learn more about the City of Santa Clara's Department of Community Development/Building click here. Santa Clara is home to an extraordinary array of high-tech companies, California's Great America Theme Park, and Levi's Stadium, who is the host of Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup.
The Building Department offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative, community-centered environment that values professionalism, innovation, and public service. The Department is committed to supporting its employees through:
• Ongoing professional development and technical training
• Leadership growth and advancement pathways
• Engagement in challenging, high-profile, and state-of-the-art projects
• A culture that prioritizes safety, integrity, accountability, and teamwork
The Position:

The City of Santa Clara is seeking an experienced, energetic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Senior Inspector supporting the daily operations of the Building Division. This critical role provides both technical expertise and supervisory leadership to ensure the City's high standards for safety, service, and professionalism are consistently met.
The Senior Inspector is a supervisory-level classification responsible for performing the most complex building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections, while also providing guidance, coordination, and training for less experienced inspectors and support staff. Depending on expertise, incumbents may be assigned to one or more specialty areas, including Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Permit Center, or Code Enforcement. Experience in MEP plan review is highly desirable and may be used to fill one of the two openings.
This position requires an individual who can operate as a subject-matter expert and exercise sound, independent judgment in daily operations. The role is distinguished from the Inspection Manager classification, which carries broader responsibility for division-wide planning, field operations, and strategic technology initiatives. Employees benefit from competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a strong commitment to work-life balance. This is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is motivated, service-focused, and ready to make a positive impact on public safety and the built environment.
Additional Information:

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write "see resume, NA, or personnel file."). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at This position is continuous: Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE. 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.MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR POSITIONS ADHERING TO ALL APPLICABLE CITY POLICIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CMD 033- EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.
The annual salary range for this position is $135,246.00 - $172,696.44. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education Requirements:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED.
Minimum Experience Requirements:

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in building inspection with a city and/or county agency.
Desirable Qualifications

• Depending on position assignment, the required experience and certification may be required in a particular specialty such as building inspection, electrical inspection, or plumbing and mechanical inspection.
• MEP plan review experience.
• Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification.
• Minimum one (1) year of supervisory experience that includes supervising building inspectors.

Licenses/Certificates
The following are required at time of appointment and for the duration of employment:

• A valid California Class C driver's license.
• Certification as a Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, or Combination Inspector by the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent.

Other Requirements

• Required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager's Directive 100.
• May be required to occasionally work evenings and weekends.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job assignment.

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for Bargaining Unit #5, 7, & 8
Employees Association


This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #5, 7, & 8 employees in 2026. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.
Retirement:

• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • Classic Employees: 2.7% @ age 55 formula - employee pays 8.00% of gross pay, minus $61 bi-weekly
  • New Employees: 2.0% @ age 62 formula - employee pays 7.00% of gross pay
• Medicare and Social Security (FICA)
  • Employee pays 6.20% up to $11,439 (Social Security) and 1.45% (Medicare) of gross pay

Health Insurance:

• The City contributes up to 100% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only and Employee + 1 Dependent plans, and up to 90% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan of the Employee + 2 or More Dependents plan
• Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis
• No cash difference is paid if an employee elects a plan cheaper than the max City contribution
• To be eligible for the City's contribution toward health, employees must be on a paid status for at least 80 hours in the month prior to the month of coverage
• The City's contribution is prorated based on scheduled hours for part time employees
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
• Employees hired on or after 1/1/2022 who opt-out of City-offered health insurance and provide annual attestation and acceptable proof of alternative required coverage for themselves and their tax family, if applicable, are eligible for a cash-in-lieu amount of $250/month. Contact Human Resources for more details

Dental Insurance:

• Choice of two Delta Dental plans; enrollment is mandatory
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Vision Insurance:

• Choice of two VSP plans
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA):

• City contributes $50.00 a month toward employee's VEBA account
• Account funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses after separation from the City and after age 50 (pre-tax)

Life Insurance:

• City pays for $15,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment
• Additional optional insurance may be purchased by the employee for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent children

State Disability Insurance (SDI):

• Employee pays 1.3% of gross pay (includes Paid Family Leave)
• 7 day waiting period. Weekly paid leave for absences due to non-work related injuries/illnesses. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Paid Family Leave (PFL):

• Up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period to care for a family member or to bond with a new child
• No waiting period. Weekly paid leave benefit. Benefit is based on past earnings. Refer to edd.ca.gov for more information

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance:

• Benefit is 2/3 of basic wage up to $7,500; max of $5,000/month
• City pays $.558/$100 of insured earnings
• 30 calendar day waiting period
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment

Deferred Compensation:

• Voluntary plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions
• Employee may contribute up to the lesser of the IRS maximum or 100% of gross compensation into a pre-tax 457(b) account or a post-tax Roth 457(b) account (or a combination of the two accounts) subject to IRS rules

Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125 Plan):

• Employee may contribute up to $3,400 per year in pre-tax dollars to a health care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $7,500 per year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $340 per month in pre-tax dollars to a commuter benefit plan

Vacation:

• Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, cannot use vacation during first 6 months of City service
  • For 1 - 4 years of service: 10 days (80 hours)/year
  • For 5 - 9 years of service: 15 days (120 hours)/year
  • For 10 - 15 years of service: 21 days (168 hours)/year
  • For 16 - 20 years of service: 22 days (176 hours)/year
  • For 21+ years of service: 24 days (192 hours)/year
• Maximum vacation accrual is 420 hours
• Once per year, employees can elect to convert up to 40 hours of accrued vacation to cash to be paid out the following calendar year

Sick Leave:

• Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for equivalent of 96 hours per calendar year with no maximum accrual
  • Up to 48 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for family illness
  • Up to 40 hours/year of accumulated sick leave may be used for personal leave
• Employee may convert sick leave to vacation once per calendar year (annual maximum conversion is 96 hours sick to 48 hours vacation)
• Partial sick leave payoff provision on retirement depending on years of service

Non-Management Leave:

• 40hours of non-management leave credited to employees each January 1st
  • New employees hired between January 1st and June 30th receive 40 hours of non-management leave their first year
  • New employees hired between July 1st and December 31st receive 20 hours of non-management leave their first year
  • Unused non-management leave may not be carried over from one calendar year to the next

Compensatory Time Off (CTO):

• Employees may accrue CTO in lieu of overtime hours (maximum accrual is set by department)
• 16 hours of CTO is credited to employees each January 1st (prorated if hired after January 1st)

Holidays:

• Seventeen paid eight-hour holidays per year (13 & 4 holidays between 12/25 to 1/1 of following year)

Reimbursements/Allowances (for specific classifications):

• Raingear: $150 per fiscal year for eligible classifications
• Safety Boots: $275 per fiscal year for eligible classifications
• Walking Shoes: $120 per fiscal year for eligible classifications (See MOU for details)
• Tools: $500 per fiscal year reimbursement for Auto Foreperson classification
• Phone allowance of $80/month for Senior Key Customer Representative(s) and Key Customer Representative(s) job classifications

Bilingual Pay:

• Certified bilingual employees are eligible for $55/bi-weekly bilingual pay

Night Differential Pay:

• Librarians and library support employees whose regular assignments are to City libraries are eligible for 5.0% night differential pay for all hours worked between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. so long as they work a minimum of 2 consecutive hours between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
• All other employees are eligible for 5.0% night differential pay for all hours worked between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so long as they work a minimum of 2 consecutive hours between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Standby Pay:

• Employees in the classification of Electric Utility Programmer Analyst, Electric Utility Network Administrator, and Senior Energy Systems Analyst are eligible for standby pay of $100/week when assigned to work standby

Tuition Reimbursement Program:

• Up to $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program:

• Confidential counseling to employees and dependents. Up to maximum of five (5) consultations per family member per incident per year
• City paid benefit

Retiree Medical Reimbursement Program:

• Employees who retire from the City with at least ten (10) years of service shall receive reimbursement to help cover retiree single health insurance premiums. The reimbursement maximum includes the PEMHCA minimum.
• Up to age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $438/month in 2026 (amount adjusted annually)
• After age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $262/month in 2026 (amount adjusted annually)

01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, omissions, stating "see resume" or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question completely, and in your own words (without the use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools, including but not limited to Chat GPT, Microsoft AI, or any other AI tool), and that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02


Please select the option below that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications for Senior Inspector.

• I possess a high school diploma or GED AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in building inspection with a city and/or county agency.
• I do not meet the minimum qualifications.

03


Describe your five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in building inspection with a city and/or county agency, including where you obtained the experience and duties performed. Do not write see application or resume.
04


Do you possess a State of California driver's license?

• I possess a valid State of CA driver's license.
• I do not currently possess a valid State of CA driver's license but can obtain one by time of appointment.
• I do not currently possess a valid State of CA driver's license and can't obtain one by time of appointment.

05


Please specify how you meet the certification requirement (select all that apply):

• I possess certification as a Building Inspector from the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent. A copy of my certification is attached to my application.
• I possess certification as an Electrical Inspector from the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent. A copy of my certification is attached to my application.
• I possess certification as a Plumbing Inspector from the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent. A copy of my certification is attached to my application.
• I possess certification as a Mechanical Inspector from the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent. A copy of my certification is attached to my application.
• I possess certification as a Combination Inspector from the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent. A copy of my certification is attached to my application.
• I possess a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certification. A copy of my certification is attached to my application.
• I am in progress of obtaining a Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, or Combination Inspector by the International Code Council (ICC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), or equivalent. I will be able to provide proof of completion prior to appointment in the classification.
• I do not possess any of the following certifications and will not be able to obtain by appointment in the classification.

06


If you indicated above you are in progress of obtaining your certification, please include the certification name and anticipated completion date. If this does not apply to you, please write NA.
07


Scenario: You are dispatched to an inspection. The scope of work for the permit is identified as a residential kitchen with like for like change outs. During your inspection you observe that a non-structural wall was moved, and the cabinet layout has changed. You also see that work is being done in other parts of the home. What do you do?
08


Scenario: You are dispatched to a Rough Frame inspection of a single-Family residence. Upon your arrival you discover that the Foundation, Underfloor and Lateral Bracing inspections have not been approved. What do you do?
09


Scenario: You receive a complaint from an applicant about a correction issued by one of the inspectors you supervise. Upon review of the situation, you agree with the contractor. What do you do?
Required Question