Public Works Inspector
Salary Range: $95,030 - $128,289
Tentative interviews are scheduled for October 21, 2024—time to be determined.
The Town of Los Altos Hills is currently seeking a qualified Public Works Inspector to join our dedicated team. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to developing and maintaining public infrastructure, ensuring that projects align with the Town's standards and regulations.
About the Position
The Public Works Inspector, reporting to the Public Works Director/City Engineer or a designated Manager/Engineer, is a non-exempt, hourly position responsible for supervising other inspectors as needed. This role is open for recruitment or may be flexibly staffed through promotion. The incumbent performs a range of journey-level to advanced public works inspection duties, focusing on municipal construction projects and private development, particularly concerning sanitary sewer systems, storm infrastructure, and street construction. Responsibilities include issuing and inspecting encroachment permits and sewer connection permits in compliance with Town Ordinances and applicable federal and state regulations. The position involves both office and fieldwork, addressing community requests and concerns related to these projects.
Key Responsibilities
The duties of the Public Works Inspector may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Inspect Town projects and private developments at various stages to ensure conformance with plans, specifications, and applicable regulations as approved by the Town.
- For Town capital or maintenance projects, check project plans and specifications for constructability, accuracy, suitability, and completeness and make recommendations to Public Works engineers.
- Assist with the Public Works engineers in preparing plans, specifications, and cost estimates for various capital improvement and maintenance projects.
- Participate in collecting field surveys and mapping data. Assist Public Works engineers in collecting/verifying field data and quantifying estimations for projects.
- In systematic and organized ways, prepare/document and maintain daily inspection reports, progress reports, project schedules, progress payments, change orders, claims, and other written documentation; maintain photographic documentation of various phases of construction; document and report on field changes; and collect certified payrolls.
- Validate monthly progress payments from contractors. Record the amounts and type of materials used and work performed to prepare necessary reports for progress payments.
- Document deficiencies and deviations from plans and specifications, consult with engineers or supervisors, and direct the means and timing of compliance with contractor personnel.
- Review and facilitate Public Works permit applications; consult and coordinate with Public Works engineers for approval of applications/permits; provide assistance and guidance to applicants; assess fees and issue Public Works permits including encroachment and sewer connection permits; facilitate pre-construction meetings; provide timely inspections services; and closeout of permits.
- Review plans and specifications of assigned projects, consult with engineers, and attend pre-job conferences.
- With guidance from the Public Works Director/City Engineer or direct supervisor, meet and confer with developers, contractors, engineers, and the general public relative to Town policies, regulations and procedures, and coordinate discrepancies/problem situations with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Inspect materials used for conformity to specifications.
- Coordinate the review of contractor’s submittals for construction projects; confer with contractors and developers regarding conformance to standards, plans, specifications, and codes; consult with the Public Works engineers; and evaluate alternatives.
- Consult with engineering and other department staff regarding field issues and deviations from the approved plans and specifications or permit requirements.
- Conduct preconstruction meetings and project site inspections to document existing conditions.
- Assist in providing responses to Contractor Request for Information (RFI) or questions from developers.
- Review the contractor’s construction schedule for compliance with Town or project requirements.
- Monitor and enforce traffic control plans as approved by a traffic engineer and per Town requirements.
- Conduct weekly project meetings with contractors and stakeholders.
- Schedule quality assurance materials testing to verify compliance including source inspections and materials acceptance; review test reports; and compare Certificates of Compliance or source release tags with the applicable materials at the project site.
- Prepare initial punch list and consolidate comments into final punch list and perform final project inspection.
- Perform various duties related to assigned projects, including coordination with other Town departments and utility/external agencies.
- Respond to inquiries and complaints by researching information, inspecting areas of concern, advising contractors and residents of problems, and recommending corrective actions.
- Research information on construction projects, document findings and related subjects and prepare reports and correspondence to communicate findings/recommendations to management.
- Conduct inspections for erosion and sediment control measures, Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit, and other NPDES-related inspections.
- Monitor and enforce contractor’s compliance with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP) provisions.
- Schedule and participate in utility coordination meetings with utility agencies.
- Daily monitoring of the Underground Service Alert (USA) request system and marking of Town utilities.
- As approved by the Public Works Director/City Engineer, prepare and issue “stop work” notices for work being done without permits, unsafe working conditions, and noncompliance with permit requirements.
- Act as liaison between the Town, contractors, other agencies, and residents affected by projects; maintain communication among the parties; respond to and resolve issues and complaints or refer them to the proper office for resolution; and prepare work orders in response to complaints.
- Investigate field problems and public works service requests affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations and resolve issues to achieve satisfactory results.
- Coordinate public works activities with other Town departments and with outside agencies.
Apply and enforce relevant codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations; and, as assigned, oversee regulatory agency permits and requirements.
- Coordinate/manage the annual townwide survey of Town trees performed by consulting arborist.
- As directed, inspect the conditions of town assets such as streets, sanitary sewers, storm infrastructure, pathways, street trees, and facilities.
- Regularly inspect deficiencies and maintenance/safety issues around the Town and create work orders as necessary.’ Provide excellent customer service to citizens, staff, and outside organizations. Follow up on complaints and inquiries and provide responses and solutions in a timely manner.
- Attend work-related training for public work job function requirements.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform various work tasks.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
- Perform other inspector-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
The successful candidate for the Public Works Inspector position must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of:
- Materials, methods, principles, and practices used in public works construction, including streets, pavement, pathways, sanitary sewer, storm drains, and related appurtenances.
- Principles and practices of construction inspection related to streets, sanitary sewers, storm infrastructure, pathways, and grading.
- Technical principles and practices of construction activities and land survey.
- Basic practices of construction contract administration in a public agency setting.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including administrative and department policies and procedures.
- Technical principles and practices of construction design, specification, and cost estimate preparation.
- Defects and faults in construction.
- Materials sampling, testing, and estimating procedures.
- Mathematical principles.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Municipality permitting process.
- Techniques for providing high customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
- Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to:
- Utilize online permit tracking applications such as TRAKiT.
- Oversee construction projects and land surveys.
- Effectively interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, and policies for construction projects, private developments, and Public Works permits.
- Make accurate computations and prepare complete and accurate descriptions and agreements.
- Detect and locate deficiencies in construction and violations of applicable codes at the earliest possible stage.
- Prepare concise reports and maintain accurate records.
- Maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
- Technical report writing and preparation of correspondence.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Work independently.
- Work in inclement weather.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. A typical path to qualifying for the Public Works Inspector position includes:
- Completion of the twelfth grade or possession of a high school equivalency.
- At least two years of full-time experience in public works inspection or maintenance.
Licenses and Certifications
- Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required for initial and continued employment.
- The APWA Public Infrastructure Inspector Certification is highly desirable but not required.
Working Conditions
This position requires both fieldwork and office duties. The Public Works Inspector will frequently travel from site to site for inspections and work in an office environment utilizing computers and other business equipment. The role involves working independently in the field, sometimes alone, at various project sites.
Physical Demand
The candidate must have the physical ability to:
- Travel to and work at various sites within and outside the Town.
- Sit, stand, walk, stoop, crawl, crouch, and climb for extended periods.
- Navigate steep or rough terrain and work outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Work in a standard office setting and shall use standard office equipment, including computers, tablets, and phones.
- Work extended hours and off-hour shifts or attend events as required.
