Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Under General direction performs advanced journey level inspections of private and public improvement projects to insure compliance with all approved plans, specifications, ordinances, rules and regulations of the City of Turlock; enforces applicable safety standards and regulations; maintains records and prepares reports pertaining to projects inspected; issues encroachment, water, sewer, and utility permits and performs related work as required.

This position is assigned to the Miscellaneous Bargaining Unit for Labor Relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this classification are normally filled by advancement from the Public Works Construction Inspector classification. Individuals working in this classification are expected to perform the full range of journey level inspection activities including quality control, quality assurance, and record management.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the City Engineer or designee.

Exercises no supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Inspects a variety of various structural underground, signal construction and civil projects for conformance with specifications and regulations; check line, grade size, elevation, and location of underground structures.
• Monitors traffic control at construction sites and coordinates corrections if required.
• Records amounts of materials used and work performed; prepares necessary reports for progress payments and record of work completed.
• Reviews plans and specifications of assigned projects; attends pre-construction conferences as necessary.
• Inspects materials for identification and conformance to project specifications.
• Performs and coordinates a variety of field tests.
• Observes work in progress; monitors contractor work force for adequate staffing levels.
• Inspect adjacent properties for damage from construction activities.
• Confers with property owners regarding project schedule hazards and inconvenience.
• Coordinates work with other City departments and utilities.
• Prepare a variety of activity records, and reports; interview of contractor work force when required; insures payment of prevailing wages to contractor work force on Capital Projects.
• Issues, inspects and coordinates encroachment, utility, water and sewer permits.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to meeting all qualifications as a Public Works Inspector:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, materials, equipment and safety hazards of construction inspection.
• Defects and faults in construction.
• Basic mathematics including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Basic soil mechanics and geology.
• Materials sampling and estimate procedures.
• Engineering mechanics of structures.
• Applicable laws, regulations, codes and departmental policies governing the construction of assigned projects.
• Blueprints, engineering drawings, and specifications for public works construction and maintenance projects.
• Work area traffic control standards and requirements.
• Underground construction methods and OSHA safety requirements.
• Asphalt and concrete construction requirements. The tools, instruments and equipment used in construction of street improvements and underground structures.
• Permitting of work in the Public Right of Way.
• Public work construction requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of soils testing and sampling.
• Advanced inspection procedures
• Concrete and asphalt applications
• Specialized inspections
• Lift Stations, water wells, Federal Aid Projects, Storm Lines, Boring and Jacking Procedures, Street Signals.

Ability to:

• Understand and interpret engineering plans and specifications and prepare accurate engineering records.
• Detect and locate faulty materials and workmanship and determine the stage of construction during which defects are most easily found and remedied.
• Deal firmly and tactfully with contractors, engineers ad property owners.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• To write permits for water and sewer permits, and work in the public right of way.
• Train and coordinate Inspections with other Employees.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience

Five years of increasingly responsible experience performing a variety of construction inspection work and/or experience in doing construction work on a variety of public works construction projects, or three years as a Public Works Construction Inspector with the City of Turlock.

Education

Equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree with major course work in civil engineering, construction technology or a related field and three (3) units of supervisory/management training.

-OR- An additional two years of responsible inspection experience which would provide the knowledge and abilities described above and six (6) continuing education units in the related field and three (3) units of supervisory/management training may be substituted for educational requirement.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License at time of appointment, to be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to drive a vehicle and to make visual inspections; hear and speak well enough to converse on the telephone and in person; be able to communicate clearly without amplification; bodily mobility to move rapidly from one area to another, sometimes over rough terrain; sometimes bending over and lifting up objects; climb stairs or ladders; use of hands and fingers to write; operate a computer keyboard and handle plans and documents; stamina to work long hours and inspect construction work at night at needed.