Engineering Inspector I-IV - San Luis Obispo

The City of San Luis Obispo is looking for an Engineering Inspector The Engineering Inspector classification is a four-level career series. · The level of responsibility and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant (see Education and Experience below). · If you ...

Job description

The City of San Luis Obispo is looking for an Engineering Inspector The Engineering Inspector classification is a four-level career series.

The level of responsibility and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant (see Education and Experience below).

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Thursday, March 12, 2026, so please hold that date.

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate possesses a solid background in construction and a comprehensive understanding of City and Caltrans specifications and standards.

They are dependable, collaborative, and experienced in enforcing construction permits. Strong computer skills—including proficiency in Excel, Word, and general digital tools are essential.

The candidate must be able to professionally de-escalate conflicts, communicate clearly with contractors, engineers, and supervisors, and consistently produce accurate, concise field reports.

Job Summary

Provide a wide variety of professional field and office engineering work in the support of City construction and private development projects, starting with simple projects and working to the most complex.

Employees in this career ladder inspect the construction of a variety of public works and private improvement projects including:

roads, drainage, grading, water and waste water pipelines and treatment facilities, tanks, parks and landscaping, bike paths, bridges, environmental mitigation, traffic signals and other civil engineering projects.

In addition to inspection of facilities in construction, these positions perform construction management duties, manage consultants, and monitor budgets. As employees show an increase in knowledge, skills, abilities and initiative, they are eligible for promotion.

Class Characteristics

The engineering inspector is a largely technical series starting with inspection of small private construction activities, with the ability to advance to complex public project inspection and oversight.

The inspector is responsible for compliance to standards and codes, and on public projects, for proper expenditure of City funds and defense against construction claims.

Supervision Received And Exercised

Employees in this classification work under the general supervision of the Construction Manager or Supervising Civil Engineer.

Entry level employees may also work under the guidance of senior staff within a broad framework of policies and procedures.

Examples Of Duties And Responsibilties

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do all the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in the class.

Inspect routine construction projects and review construction material sampling for conformance to plans, specifications, contract requirements, Federal/State agency requirements and any special conditions.

Maintain accurate records on project progress, work quality, labor and equipment used, work items not in conformance to plans, record drawings and other project information.

Prioritize work, set appointments and meet with developers, engineers and citizens on project issues.
Prepare written correspondence and spreadsheets required in performance of the work.
Explain City standards to others such as contractors and citizens.
Review routine construction project plans for specification conformance.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector II classification may include the duties listed below:

Inspect complex private and moderately complex public projects requiring increased interaction with engineers or architects and more in-depth or varied engineering and construction knowledge.

Investigate and prepare written analysis of contractor's claims for additional payment, time extensions and changed conditions of the work.
Make minor design changes in the field.
Monitor project budgets and schedules to ensure project remains within financial constraints and approved schedule.
Prepare cost request bulletins and track submittals.

Conduct conferences and meetings with contractors, developers, engineers and others to coordinate joint efforts for construction projects and resolve disputes.

Explain underlying project related codes and safety procedures.
Log and review project submittals for contract compliance.
Complete constructability reviews of construction plans and specifications.
Sample and test soils, concrete and asphalt.
Conduct routine construction surveys.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector III and IV classifications may include the duties listed below:

Inspect complex public works projects.

Administer and oversee work of consultant contracts or service contracts, monitoring costs, work product and deadlines, and authorize payments on services and construction.

Prepare reports for the management of capital improvement projects.
Prepare plans and specifications for minor capital improvement projects.
Negotiate and initiate claims avoidance proceedings, perform cost analysis and recommend claim, or potential claim, resolution.
Create and maintain project accounting spread sheets.
Act as construction section contact during supervisor absence.

Direct and monitor the work of City employees, temporary employees or consultants engaged in construction inspection and field work associated with construction projects.

Prepare request for proposal for consultant services.
Performs related duties similar to the example duties in scope and function as required.

Knowledge And Abilities


Knowledge of:
Materials and methods used in a wide variety of public works construction.
Basic principles, practices and methods of civil and structural engineering as applied to public works construction.
Regulations, laws, regulations, ordinances and engineering standards governing installation of public works facilities and subdivisions.
Basic construction mathematics.
Personal computers and standard office software applications.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector II will be required to have knowledge of:

Advanced engineering practices, materials and methods used in structural design and construction.
Methods for materials sampling and testing.
Construction survey practices, elevations, grades and slopes.
Contract law, regulatory agency priorities and requirements, and contract enforcement actions pertaining to public works projects.
Prevailing wage labor compliance requirements.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector III will be required to have knowledge of:

Contract laws pertaining to claims and payment withholding.
Contract administration and database management.
Principles and practices of managing consultant contracts.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector IV will be required to have knowledge of:

Knowledge gained through experience of all typical construction methods, requirements and testing, including building, electrical lighting and signals, parks and playgrounds, pipelines, treatment plant equipment, coatings and painting, paving and concrete.

ADA requirements for accessibility at facilities and in the right-of-way.
All required paperwork for compliance with federal DOT funded projects and ability to complete.


Ability to:
Apply knowledge gained from education and experience in the performance of inspection and construction management.
Follow standards for construction, inspection and legal requirements, and work within a framework of established policies
Express ideas clearly and concisely, and understand and follow directions, orally and in writing.
Read and interpret plans, specifications and soils reports.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, management, members of the public, the community, contractors, and regulatory agency representatives.

Recognize problems, make decisions, and resolve conflict with tact, good judgment, professionalism, resourcefulness, and diplomacy.
Lift fifty pounds during the course of a normal workday and traverse construction sites.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector II will be required to have the ability to:

Assist other departments in design, maintenance requirements or construction of City facilities.
Perform cost analysis and compile cost estimates.
Review certified payroll documents for labor compliance requirements as it pertains to the payment of prevailing wages.
Perform construction survey and project layout.
Perform materials sampling and testing.
Act as team leader in organizing and coordinating multiple construction projects.

In addition to the above, the Engineering Inspector III and IV will be required to have the ability to:

Analyze written arguments and cost information and develop recommendations.
Develop plans and specifications for minor public works projects.
Solve constructability problems during design and construction.
Deal tactfully and professionally with contractors, professional representatives and the public under adverse conditions.

Education And Experience

Engineering Inspector I

Two years of college level course work in civil engineering or related engineering, technical, or construction management field; or
High School diploma and six years experience in construction or maintenance of public facilities;

or

An equivalent combination of education, experience, and certification.

Engineering Inspector II

Two years of college level course work in civil engineering or related engineering, technical, or construction management field; or
High School diploma and six years experience in construction or maintenance of public facilities;

and

Three years of experience in public works construction inspection or oversight having full responsibility for construction project compliance, finances, and management

or

An equivalent combination of education, experience, and certification.

Engineering Inspector III

Two years of experience in public works construction having full responsibility for construction project compliance, finances, and management; and
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field; and
Possession of an Engineer in Training certificate;

or

An equivalent combination of education, experience, and certification.

Engineering Inspector IV

Five years of experience in public works construction having full responsibility for construction project compliance, finances, and management; and
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field; and
Possession of an Engineer in Training certificate;

or

An equivalent combination of education, experience and certification.

Possession And Maintenance Of

A Valid Class "C" California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record are required for all classifications.
Ability to speak Spanish is desirable.

Work Environment

Work environment varies depending upon the volume of contract inspection and plan checking work needed.

When inspectors are assigned to the field, they work on construction sites exposed to equipment, traffic and materials used in the installation or maintenance of public facilities and exposed to all weather conditions.

Office work is required as needed to complete correspondence and other paper work and may be the primary work site when assigned to consultant oversight or plan checking.

Employees in this classification must be available to work variable hours dependent upon when construction activities are occurring; which includes working after normal hours, holidays, and weekends.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

LiveScan Fingerprinting – DOJ
Pre-employment Physical