Principal Construction Inspector - Department of Transportation

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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 Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation’s largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visitwww.sanjoseca.gov/transportation.

The Infrastructure Maintenance Division is responsible for maintaining the City’s 2,500 miles of streets and related infrastructure, including paved street surfaces, bridges, traffic signals, streetlights, signs, markings and striping, trees, sidewalks, and landscaping, as well as the public sanitary and storm sewer collection systems. Areas of focus include ensuring a safe workplace, building strong teams, expanding the use of technology, and enhancing analytical skills and ability. While many of the staff have ‘grown-up’ within the Division, the organization has been successful in attracting and assimilating new talent.

Position Duties

The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill 1 vacancy for the Principal Construction Inspector position in the Pavement Maintenance Division. 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.

The Pavement Maintenance Division plays a critical role in the maintenance and rehabilitation of approximately 2,500 (30-ft equivalent) miles of pavement, overseeing the maintenance of approximately 250 bridges, and over 29,000 ADA curb ramps citywide.

In the DOT Pavement Maintenance Division, the Principal Construction Inspector performs the following duties:

• Assist in project scoping, planning , and delivery services through close collaboration with the Pavement Engineering team
  

• Supervise the pavement maintenance inspection team that consists of Senior and Associate Construction Inspectors
  

• Plan, coordinate, and allocate inspection resources across multiple projects to ensure adequate coverage, balanced workloads, and timely completion of assignments, while effectively managing competing deadlines and priorities
  

• Coordinate work of the inspection staff with the Senior Engineers
  

• Conduct spot check inspections on the pavement maintenance and ADA curb ramp projects, review, and interpret construction plans and specifications ensuring that contractor work meets City Standards Specifications, and signs final inspection notices
  

• Cross train field inspection staff across programs to ensure proficiency in a variety of inspection areas
  

• Provides administration and oversight of project management system by assisting users, reviewing project daily logs, ensuring continuity across projects, reviewing and approving pay letters, and troubleshooting software issues
  

In the DOT Sidewalks team, the Principal Construction Inspector performs the following duties:

• Supervise and track inspection team performance
  

• Provide quarterly performance measures reports
  

• Verify inspectors assigning maintenance work are within the allocated budget
  

• Knowledge of contract specifications as it pertains to sidewalk, curb/gutter, etc. repair criteria
  

• Knowledge of ADA requirements as applicable to contract requirements
  

• Knowledge of concrete mixture specifications, limitations, and requirements as it relates to contract specifications
  

• Utilize computer-based inventory, spreadsheets, and documents, such as MS Excel, MSWord, MS Outlook, and One Drive
  

• Completion of performance appraisals
  

• Review and approve contractor invoices
  

• Coordinate contractor meetings
  

• Trains and evaluates work of subordinates; reviews completed work and prepares required records and reports
  

• Supervises and trains front desk administrative staff
  

• Perform and coordinate field training of inspection staff
  

• Manage contractor purchase orders capacities
  

• Assigns and track progress of contractors
  

• Verify services provided by contractor
  

• Act as intermediary between public and contractors
  

• Use tools as necessary to identify slope and ponding issues and recommend corrective action/s as needed
  

• Responds to resident emails within 48 Hours
  

The DOT Landscape Inspection and Contract Management Construction Inspector’s key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide oversight to 23 Special District areas, General Fund parcels (Beautify SJ and GF contractual), Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Weed Abatement parcels, Unique Item Inventory (Pedestrian Overcrossings) and Residential Street Sweeping
  

• Supervise a team of Senior and Associate Construction Inspectors in the field inspection and documentation
  

• Supervise and track inspection team performance
  

• Provide quarterly performance measures reports
  

• Provide monthly Residential Street Sweeping reports
  

• Verify inspectors assigning maintenance work are within the allocated budget for each assigned maintenance district/s
  

• Coordinate with budget analyst on special district source and use funding
  

• Completion of performance appraisals
  

• Review and approve contractor invoices
  

• Coordinate contractor meetings
  

• Trains and evaluates work of subordinates; reviews completed work and prepares required records and reports; participate and support department-wide safety programs
  

• Perform and coordinate field training of inspection staff
  

• Cross train field inspection staff across programs to ensure proficiency in a variety of inspection areas
  

• Oversight of purchase order and contracts management
  

• Manage contractor purchase orders capacities
  

• Collaborate with Landscape Designer on potential renovations within Special District areas
  

• Assist Ops. Manager with new purchase order bids
  

• Collaborate with the Special District Assistant Arborist on budget and tree maintenance plans
  

• Utilize computer-based inventory, spreadsheets, and documents, such as MS Excel, MSWord, MS Outlook, and One Drive
  

• Responds to resident emails within 48 Hours
  

More information on the typical duties can be found in the Class Specifications for Principal Construction Inspector .

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of training and experience equivalent to successful completion of high school

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
  
• (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)
  

Certifications/Licenses: Possession of a valid driver's license in the State of California

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the most desirable combination of training, skills, and experience, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

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.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

CONSTRUCTIVE ENERGIES : A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others

COMPUTER SKILLS: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

LEADERSHIP: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

PLANNING: Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

SUPERVISION: Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

TEAMWORK & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. 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 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.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jasmine Medrano at jasmine.medrano@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 be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

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.

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 City's benefits pagefor 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 siteto 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.

Closing Date/Time: 7/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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