Hybrid Public Works (Engineering) Inspector na City of Atascadero, CA

About the Department

The Public Works Department is excited to announce that we are recruiting for a Public Works (Engineering) Inspector to join our team and play a key role in ensuring the quality and success of our capital projects!

If you're passionate about supporting and enhancing the community by creating and protecting vital infrastructure with efficiency, responsibility, and integrity — we encourage you to apply today!

The Public Works Department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of City-owned infrastructure and facilities. We are dedicated to delivering cost-effective, sustainable solutions that ensure the long-term performance and reliability of these essential services.

The City of Atascadero is a small, beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. We have a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails.  Become a member of an organization consisting of hardworking individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through public service. The organizational environment encourages collaboration and productivity and is fostered by engaged management, all working for the betterment of the community. City offices are located in the beautiful and historic City Hall Administration Building near the picturesque Sunken Gardens Park, located in the heart of downtown Atascadero.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general direction, provides a wide variety of professional field inspection and office work in the support of capital projects, public facilities and private development to ensure compliance with contract and governmental regulatory requirements.   The position inspects the construction of a variety of public works and private improvement projects including roads, drainage, grading, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, parks and landscaping, sidewalks, bike paths, bridges, environmental mitigation, traffic signals and other infrastructure. 

Works under the general direction from the Deputy Public Works Director/Engineering and Utilities Manager. 

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Maintain accurate and neat records on project progress, work quality, labor and equipment used, work items not in conformance to plans, record drawings and other project information.  Prepare oral and written reports of work performed.
• Conduct on-site inspections to ascertain that approved plans, specifications, Federal/State agency requirements and any special conditions are being followed and that proper materials are being used and installed correctly. Make safety inspections and ensure established traffic control procedures are followed within construction zones.
• Assist the Capital Projects Engineer in evaluating and preparing responses to contractor's claims for additional payment, time extensions and changed conditions of the work.
• Evaluate and direct minor design changes in the field as needed.
• Participate in 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.
• Review and file third-party sampling and testing of soils, concrete and asphalt.
• Conduct routine construction surveys.
• File and organize “As Built” plans when the public or private project is complete.
• Review contractor's requests for payment, measure and confirm quantities for the preparation of payment certificates.
• Conduct construction site erosion control inspections to ensure compliance with SWPPP or erosion control plans, and inspect Post-Construction Structural Control Measures to ensure compliance with the City’s MS4 Permit.
• Inspects on-site wastewater treatment systems to ensure compliance with OWTS Local Area Management Plan and Water Board requirements.
• Investigate drainage complaints to determine the City’s responsibility.
• Confirm project completion and initiate bond releases for public improvement projects.
• Assist with review of encroachment permits and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with Encroachment Permit requirements.
• Assist the Capital Projects Engineer by performing constructability reviews of plans and specifications for City Capital Projects.
• Conduct trench inspections to ensure compliance with City ordinances.
• Provide USA markings for storm drains, sewer, and City-owned traffic signals.
• Enforce City of Atascadero Municipal Codes relevant to the Public Works Department’s responsibility for infrastructure maintenance and Right of Way protection.
• Prioritize work, set appointments and meet with developers, engineers and community members on project issues.
• Provide other inspections as needed.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent; and
• Two (2) years of increasing responsible experience inspecting, constructing, or managing public works related infrastructure and facilities; or   
• Any combination of education and experience to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the satisfactory performance of the job requirements. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Some or all of the following: construction methods, and standards and inspection methods for road construction, sewer/storm drain systems, grading, septic systems, landscaping, irrigation systems, building remodeling.
• Contract administration practices, such as documentation, construction scheduling, ordering of extra work, processing of contract change orders and requests for information, and progress payment.
• Elementary construction scheduling methods.
• 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.
• 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.

Skill in:

• Analyzing and interpreting complex construction plans, specifications, and blueprints.
• Following complex oral and written instructions.
• Maintaining accurate and orderly records.
• Efficiently using materials and equipment relevant to this classification.
• Interpreting and applying Federal, State, and local rules, regulations and standards.
• Creating professional business correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other documentation associated with this classification.
• Dealing tactfully and effectively with contractors, the public and other City employees.
• Ensuring that the City's philosophy of successful customer service is carried out in all forms of communication.

Ability to:

• 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.
• Solve constructability problems during design and construction.
• Travel to remote sites within the City to conduct inspections.
• Work well under pressure and in the field without close supervision.
• Organize and keep accurate records of events and make reports of work performed.
• Work indoors or outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions, including heat, cold, dampness, wetness, humidity, dryness, dust, smoke, noise, vibration, above or below ground, and confined spaces.
• Climb ladders and scaffolding.
• Traverse construction sites.
• Work at heights (roofs, towers, etc.).

  

Other Qualifications

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver License, and a satisfactory driving record. 
• Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as “Disaster Service Workers”. As such and even when off-duty, this position may be required to return to duty in case of emergency or disaster.

• The tools, instruments and equipment used in construction of street improvements, underground structures, ladder, tape measure and level.
• Locator tools used for the identification and marking of underground utilities pursuant to Underground Service Alert (USA) requirements.
• Office tools and equipment including telephone, copier, personal computer/tabulate, calculator, and mobile radios.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Work environment varies depending upon the volume of inspection and office 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. Inspectors frequently work near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet/or humid conditions, fumes, dust, gases, radiant energy, toxic or caustic chemicals.  Office work is required as needed to complete inspection records, correspondence and other paperwork.  

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

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience. oral interview and reference check. job related tests might be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.