Senior Building Inspector

Senior Building Inspector

This classification performs the most complex and difficult combination inspections involving residential, commercial, industrial, and other construction; provides advanced technical interpretation and guidance concerning building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, accessibility, energy, green building, and related construction requirements; serves as a technical resource to inspection staff, assists in training and mentoring inspectors; coordinates complex inspection activities; and performs related duties as assigned.

Note: This classification is eligible for a $15,000 signing bonus for new employees.

Senior Building Inspector is the advanced journey-level classification in the Building Inspector series. Incumbents possess extensive building inspection experience and demonstrated competency in all major construction inspection disciplines. Assignments include complex, high-value, unusual, sensitive, or technically challenging projects requiring substantial independent judgment and advanced knowledge of construction codes and inspection practices.

The Senior Building Inspector serves as a technical resource and mentor to Building Inspector I and Building Inspector II and may provide technical direction on assigned projects or inspection activities. The classification does not exercise formal supervisory authority. Formal personnel supervision, performance management, work-unit administration, and overall assignment of inspection staff remain the responsibility of designated supervisory classifications.

The Senior Building Inspector is distinguished from Building Inspector II by the coordination, scheduling, assignments, training, and review of work in addition to the complexity and sensitivity of assignments, advanced technical responsibilities, and expectation to assist other inspectors in resolving difficult inspection issues.

Works under the general supervision of the Building Inspection Supervisor or other designated supervisory staff who outlines work assignments, occasionally reviews work in progress and periodically reviews completed work. May coordinate and schedule inspection activities and provide functional direction on projects and reviews work Provides input to employee performance evaluations. No supervision exercised.

Serves as a senior technical resource and first-level leader within the inspection team, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to Building Inspector I and II staff without exercising formal supervisory authority.

Performs advanced combination inspections of complex residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, high-rise, major alteration, phased construction, and other technically challenging projects, including structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

Provides technical leadership in resolving difficult, complex, or disputed inspection issues involving code interpretation, unusual field conditions, construction methods, inspection requirements, and enforcement procedures.

Mentors and coaches inspection staff in code application, inspection methods, documentation, problem solving, customer service, professional judgment, and development of technical competencies.

Assists in developing and delivering technical training, facilitates knowledge sharing among inspection staff, and supports the onboarding and development of less-experienced inspectors.

Provides functional guidance and coordinates inspection activities on complex projects or assignments as directed, while responsibility for formal supervision, performance management, discipline, and other personnel matters remains with supervisory or management staff.

Reviews plans, specifications, engineering reports, product approvals, special inspection and structural observation documentation, and other technical materials necessary to evaluate and verify code compliance.

Coordinates complex inspection activities and participates in preconstruction and field meetings with plan review staff, engineers, architects, contractors, special inspectors, testing agencies, Fire, Public Works, utilities, and other agencies.

Provides technical input on inspection policies, procedures, standard operating practices, checklists, training materials, and implementation of new codes and regulatory requirements; identifies recurring issues and recommends improvements to inspection practices and service delivery.

Assists in resolving difficult or sensitive matters involving contractors, property owners, design professionals, and the public; identifies unsafe conditions and recommends or initiates appropriate corrective or enforcement action within delegated authority; and performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of building inspection and code enforcement
• Complex residential, commercial, and industrial construction methods and materials
• Structural systems and advanced building construction principles
• Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems applicable to complex construction
• Current California Building Standards Code and applicable state laws and local amendments
• Accessibility, energy conservation, green building, and related regulatory requirements
• Special inspection and structural observation requirements
• Principles involved in evaluating alternate construction methods and unusual field conditions
• Inspection documentation and enforcement procedures
• Principles of effective technical training and mentoring
• Conflict resolution and effective communication in difficult or sensitive situations
• Building inspection policies, procedures, and quality-control practices

Skill in:

• Leading and coordinating the work of others
• Understanding and interpreting plans and specifications
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing
• Using standard office equipment, software applications, and computerized permit tracking systems

Ability to:

• Independently perform the most complex combination building inspections.
• Apply and explain advanced building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing code requirements.
• Analyze unusual construction conditions and identify appropriate code requirements.
• Read and interpret complex architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans.
• Identify conflicts between approved plans, field conditions, and applicable codes.
• Exercise sound independent judgment in difficult technical situations.
• Resolve complex inspection and code-compliance issues.
• Provide effective technical guidance to inspectors and other staff.
• Train and mentor less experienced inspectors.
• Communicate effectively with architects, engineers, contractors, developers, property owners, and regulatory agencies.
• Handle controversial or sensitive inspection matters professionally.
• Coordinate inspection activities on major and complex projects.
• Recommend improvements to inspection procedures and service delivery.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education :

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent.
• College-level coursework in construction technology, architecture, engineering, building inspection, code administration, or a related field is desirable.
• An Associate or Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, construction technology, or a closely related field is highly desirable.

Experience :

• Two years of work experience as Building Inspector II with the City of Santa Monica, independently performing combination inspections involving building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing disciplines or six years of paid work experience performing combination inspections, including residential and commercial construction inspection, and performing inspections involving multiple construction disciplines.

Experience performing inspections of complex commercial, industrial, mixed-use, major alteration, or other technically complex projects is highly desirable.

Experience in providing technical guidance, training, or mentoring to other inspection personnel is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications :

Licenses :

• Possession of a valid Class C driver license.

Certificates :

Possession and maintenance of the following ICC inspector certifications is required:

• Commercial Building Inspector (B2)
• Commercial Electrical Inspector (#2)
• Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M2)
• Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P2)
• Residential Building Inspector (B1)
• Residential Electrical Inspector (E1)
• Residential mechanical Inspector (M1)
• Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)

Possession of an applicable ICC Commercial Combination Inspector and Residential Combination Inspector designation may satisfy the requirement when the underlying ICC credentials include all required commercial and residential inspection disciplines.

Additional certifications that are desirable include, as applicable: ICC Building Plans Examiner; ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner; ICC Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner; ICC Special Inspector certifications; and other ICC certifications relevant to assigned Building & Safety functions.

All required certifications shall be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Applicants must file a clear, concise and complete City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma, if applicable and copies of your certificates from the International Code Council with your application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted