Combination Building Inspector I/II/III

Combination Building Inspector I/II/III Salary $79,512.00 - $121,512.00 Annually

Location: City of Santa Monica, CA Job Type: Full-Time Regular Job Number: 264025-01 Department: Community Development Division Building & Safety Opening Date: 02/17/2026

Job Summary

Performs the inspection of buildings and other structures; performs a variety of duties in the implementation of the Building and Safety Division plans, programs and services.

SUPERVISION

Works under the technical supervision of the Inspection Supervisor who outlines work assignments, occasionally reviews work in progress, and periodically reviews completed work. No supervision exercised.

Representative Duties

• Inspects building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical construction for compliance with construction codes, local ordinances and state laws.
• Verifies and approves corrected building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical construction.
• Interprets code requirements for members of the public and City employees.
• Advises on necessary submittal materials, inspection and record requirements.
• Provides technical guidance to assigned staff on application, record and approval requirements.
• Reviews architectural, structural, disabled access, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy and green building construction drawings and reports for compliance with construction codes, local ordinances and state laws and approves corrected drawings for permit issuance.
• Attends meetings with permit applicants for clarification of review comments and verification of corrections.
• Monitors construction progress on active permits.
• Follows established work practices to minimize expiration of permits without final approval.
• Ensures that quality assurance requirements for special inspection and structural observation are followed during construction and proper records are provided and maintained.
• Gathers, interprets, and analyzes data for reports, studies, and recommendations.
• Investigates, resolves and responds to complaints, as assigned.
• Makes referrals to appropriate departments and/or staff.
• Coordinates inspection related activities with other City departments and agencies, as necessary.
• Maintains and organizes all pertinent records and files in hard copy and electronic formats.
• Issues permits for work.
• Keeps records in the computer tracking system and prepares correspondence and reports.
• Participates in the preparation of non-complying cases for prosecution and testifies in court, as necessary.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of:
• State of California Title 24 Building, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Energy, Green Building Standards and City of Santa Monica Municipal Codes
• Reference and Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Standards related to construction materials and equipment
• Principles, practices and methods of building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy and green building design and construction
• Preservation techniques and the State of California Historical Building Code
• State and local regulations related to construction permits including but not limited to:
• Asbestos and lead paint removal
• Air quality
• CAL-OSHA safe work practices
• Licensing of design professionals and contractors
• Workers compensation insurance
• Exterior noise standards
• Green building standards
• Seismic retrofit and fire sprinkler requirements
• Municipal zoning and land use principles
• State of California Title 25 Mobile Home Park regulations
• Ability to:
• Read and interpret architectural, structural, disabled access, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy and green building drawings and specifications and determine applicable building code requirements
• Perform field inspections and identify violations of building, structural, disabled access, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy or green building codes and related ordinances
• Make computations and analyses to check construction for conformance to the applicable code and acceptable standards of practice
• Review and evaluate material tests, special inspection and structural observation reports, and appeals for alternate methods of construction or equivalency of alternatives
• Provide clear and understandable written responses related to inspection
• Provide effective oral communication for clarification of inspection comments and related requirements
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the public
• Resolve conflicts and effect solutions to both technical and non-technical problems
• Climb stairs, ladders and construction scaffolding
• Maintain balance on temporary construction elements
• Provide effective customer service
• Skill in:
• Using a personal computer and applicable software applications
• Working effectively with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds

Education, Training and Experience

• Level I:
• Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Four years of recent, paid construction experience as a carpenter, plumber, electrician, construction superintendent, licensed general contractor or special building inspector or two years of recent, paid work experience performing standard building inspections
• Bachelors degree in architecture, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering may substitute for the required construction or inspection experience
• Level II:
• Graduation from high school or the equivalent
• Two years of recent, paid work experience performing standard building inspections
• Level III:
• Graduation from high school or the equivalent
• Four years of recent, paid work experience performing standard building inspections
• Special inspection experience may substitute for two of the required four years of standard inspection experience

Licenses and Certificates

• Level I:
• Possession of a valid Class C driver license
• Certification in one of the following Residential or Commercial disciplines:
• Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Inspector or Special Inspector for Structural Steel, Masonry or Reinforced Concrete from the International Code Council
• Level II:
• Possession of a valid Class C driver license
• Certification by the International Code Council as a Commercial Building Inspector and possession of one of the following:
• Commercial Electrical, Commercial Plumbing, or Commercial Mechanical Inspector
• Level III:
• Possession of a valid Class C driver license
• Certification by the International Code Council as a Commercial Building, Commercial Electrical, Commercial Plumbing and Commercial Mechanical Inspector

Supplemental Information

• HOW TO APPLY: 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 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.

SELECTION PROCESS

• All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
• Testing may consist of the following:
• Oral Interview: 100%
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Some work is generally performed indoors in an office environment. On occasion, work requires frequent inspections at construction sites, abandoned buildings, and other outdoor work sites, as assigned.
• Weekend and evening work is occasionally required.
• Physical demands include standing, bending, stooping, crawling, lifting up to 25 pounds, climbing ladders and flights of stairs, walking, and sitting.
• Counter work and working in front of a computer terminal is also required.
• Exposure to dust, dirt, odors, noise, vibrations and other outdoor elements may be encountered.

City Benefits

• The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive.
• Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
• The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law.
• We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special Assistance

• Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246. TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).