Principal Construction Inspector - Environmental Services Department
Salary
$130,952.64 - $159,541.20 Annually
Location
San Jose
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
202601633
DEPART
Environmental Services
Opening Date
06/29/2026
Closing Date
7/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.
The City of San José 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 San José 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 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.
About the Department
The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.
Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility. Additionally, the City offers excellent health and pension benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays!
To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn.
About the Water Resources Division
The Water Resources Division is comprised of three sections: Municipal Water System, South Bay Water Recycling, and Operations and Maintenance. The Water Resources Division provides potable water service through the Municipal Water System to the communities of Evergreen, North San José/Alviso, Edenvale, and Coyote. The Water Resources Division also provides recycled water supplies through the South Bay Water Recycling system within the cities of San José, Santa Clara, and Milpitas. South Bay Water Recycling includes 165 miles of pipeline and facilities, including four pump stations, three reservoirs, and Retail Agency Operations and Maintenance activities for over 1,100 individual customer connections. In addition, the Water Resources Division also implements water conservation efforts.
Position Duties
The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Principal Construction Inspector vacancy in the Water Resources Division.
The salary range for this classification is: $130,952.64 - $159,541.20
This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.
Under minimal direction, the Principal Construction Inspector performs work of considerable difficulty including contract administration, technical inspection of the construction of water utility and other general public works related infrastructure, and supervision on a unit of construction inspectors and other related staff.
This position will manage inspection of potable and recycled water system construction projects both within the City limits and in other jurisdictions, including reviewing plans and specifications for conformance to established engineering standards and regulatory requirements; and consulting with public and private engineers, architects, community groups, contractors and developers relative to the construction of potable and recycled water system improvements.
The Principal Construction Inspector duties typically include: Supervises, guides, and supports a team of staff; creates and implements a workplan to ensure sufficient coverage of all inspection and related needs; personally conducts inspections of construction projects, and completes spot check inspections on other projects; coordinates work of the inspection staff with the project engineers, contractor and the public. Provides input and suggestions on utility design plans; reviews project submittals for materials and equipment and ensures compliance with City Specifications and project plans/specifications; makes recommendations regarding update and revision of standard design details and notes. Keeps current on relative rules and regulations, and ensures that construction practices comply as required. Reviews and interprets construction plans and specifications; directs construction contractors and enforces corrective actions where needed; signs final completion notices. Creates and documents procedures to guide subordinates; trains and evaluates work of subordinates; reviews completed work and prepares required records and reports. Meets with representatives from engineering, police, public, and other jurisdictions on traffic control problems and other construction related issues and performs related work as required.
Additionally, the goal of this position is to update and establish new procedures and methods which improve efficiency and effectiveness in the operation, repair, and maintenance of water utility infrastructure; train inspectors in inspection practices to assure high standards; ensure that street excavations by construction companies meet City requirements and are properly restored; develop and implement quality control, quality assurance, and project documentation procedures; ensure quality workmanship and quantity control on each project through an effective inspection program.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Successful completion of high school, G.E.D. or California Proficiency Certificate.
Experience: Nine (9) years of increasingly responsible sub-professional engineering/construction inspection work, including three (3) years at the level of Senior Construction Inspector, Senior Engineering Technician, Party Chief, or equivalent.
Acceptable Substitution: Completion of a terminal curriculum in engineering technology equivalent to that given in an accredited California junior college or two (2) years of college engineering courses may be substituted for two (2) years of the required remaining experience.
Licenses or Certificates: Required possession of a valid California driver's license. If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver's license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.
Desirable Licenses or Certifications:
Other Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.
Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.
Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
Meeting Ethical Standards: When confronted with ethical dilemmas, acts in a way that reflects relevant law, policy and procedures, agency values, and personal values.
Multi-Tasking: Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
Reliability: Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Selection Process:
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicants training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ginger Quijano at Ginger.Quijano@sanjoseca.gov.
Additional Information:
Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.
Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. 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.
Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.
AI and the Hiring Process
We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the Citys benefits page for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.
For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.
In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks site to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
01
We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect the candidate's own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
02
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
03
How many years of increasingly responsible sub-professional engineering/construction inspection work do you have?
04
Out of the experience in the above question, how many years have been at the level of Senior Construction Inspector, Senior Engineering Technician, Party Chief, or equivalent?
05
Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for the Principal Construction Inspector. Include the name of the organization(s) you worked for, the length of time, and describe your increasingly responsible sub-professional engineering/construction inspection work, including three (3) years at the level of Senior Construction Inspector, Senior Engineering Technician, Field Survey Supervisor, or equivalent.
06
An acceptable education substitution for the Principal Construction Inspector position is completion of a terminal curriculum in engineering technology equivalent to that given in an accredited California junior college or two (2) years of college engineering courses may be substituted for two (2) years of the required remaining experience. Please specify in detail, how you meet the substitution.
07
This position requires a State of California Drivers License. Please select the applicable option that best describes your drivers license, or your ability to possess a valid drivers license.
08
Please identify whether you have any water utility or construction related certifications. For any certifications held, list the Association or Board your certification is from, certificate number(s), and year the certificate(s) was/were awarded to you.
09
Please describe your experience with construction procedures and practices, particularly as they relate to water system facilities and ensuring compliance with utility-related regulations/standards. Please specify duties and responsibilities, length of experience, name of employers, examples of specific projects and relevant dates.
10
Please describe any supervision experience you have had related to inspection work. Specify the length of experience, name of employers, and type of supervision (e.g. City staff, contract employees, etc.).
Required Question
Employer City of San Jose
Address 200 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, California, 95113
Phone (408) 535-1285
Website https://www.sanjoseca.gov/