Construction Inspector Jobs in California
Construction inspector jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in infrastructure, public works, residential development, and commercial construction, with openings at every level from entry-level field inspector through senior project oversight roles. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento drive the highest volume of hiring, anchored by large employers such as Caltrans, Turner Construction, and the Los Angeles Department of Public Works. The most in-demand specialties include structural inspection, transportation and highway inspection, and building and safety compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 72+ Construction Inspector jobs
- Application Opening: August 10, 2026
- Application Filing Deadline: August 14, 2026
- Recruitment ID: RTF0166318; TEX-6318-166324
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Exempt: This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The duration of the appointment shall not exceed 36 months.
WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness. We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.
Role description
Project: Regional Water Transmission and Treatment Program including Repair & Replacement (R&R) projects and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects
Work Location: 1000 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA
Work Schedule: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Under general supervision, the 6318 Construction Inspector performs field inspections for Repair and Replacement (R&R) maintenance projects within the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water Transmission and Treatment System, including work executed under Job Order Contracts (JOC) and by in-house construction crews. Duties include but are not limited to: coordinating with the Environmental Management Group to ensure all construction activities comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, supporting engineers and Operations staff with pipeline and treatment facility inspections and construction documentation, monitoring the performance of contractors and Water Supply & Treatment Division (WSTD) in-house trades for compliance with plans, specifications, schedules, and budgetary/functional objectives; scheduling and verifying required testing to meet QA/QC standards; preparing detailed inspection and data reports; conducting field measurements; and maintaining accurate as-built records.
Essential Functions
- Monitors and inspects construction activities to ensure compliance with SFPUC WSTD operational standards, contract requirements, and all applicable regulations from authorities having jurisdiction.
- Prepares project documentation including daily reports, monthly reports, annual reports, equipment testing, and other maintenance or repair progress records.
- Participates in and/or conducts construction planning, coordination, progress, scheduling and field meetings.
- Researches and reviews facility plans, historic records, construction documents, and prepares field reports, force account records, materials testing logs, and contract closeout documentation.
- Assists with coordination of in-house operation and maintenance groups and with the project team members to resolve field issues, disputes, and change orders.
- Ensures that all required tests, operations, measurements, and inspections are scheduled, ordered, satisfactorily completed and documented for quality assurance/quality control.
- Maintains records of inspection, testing, correspondence, maintenance repairs, and data report.
- Tracks unit quantities, labor, equipment, installation progress to verify estimated percentage of work completed for payment applications and invoices.
- Identifies and reports safety and traffic hazards, defective work, and prepare work orders for correction.
- Drives a vehicle to inspection sites.
- Initiates contact and follow through with Bureau of Environmental Management for CEQA process.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Two (2) years of verifiable full-time experience in City and County of San Francisco class 6317 Assistant Construction Inspector; OR
- Four (4) years of verifiable full-time experience in construction inspection work ensuring that plans and specifications are complied with, and the workmanship and material used meet specifications.
AND: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License
Substitution
- A baccalaureate degree in Engineering or Architecture from an accredited college or university and/or experience as an Engineer on a level equal to City and County of San Francisco class 5203 Assistant Engineer or as an Architect on a level equal to City and County of San Francisco class 5265 Architectural Associate I or higher may substitute for up to two years of the required experience under Minimum Qualification #2.
- Two (2) years of verifiable full-time experience as a surveyor may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience under Minimum Qualification #2.
- Experience in construction, at the Superintendent/General Foreman level, supervising construction crews of more than six may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience on a year for year basis. Journey level construction experience and/or drafting experience will not be accepted as qualifying under Minimum Qualification #2.
- Possession of an associate degree in construction or engineering from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience under Minimum Qualification #2.
Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring:
- At least five years of work experience in public or commercial construction projects as project engineer, resident engineer, office engineer, design engineer, or construction inspector.
- Bachelor of Art or Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Environmental Science or closely related field.
- At least five years of work experience with computer programs such as: AutoCAD; Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Access; Adobe Acrobat PDF; Google Earth; GIS.
- Familiar with general civil, mechanical, and electrical inspection types and facility engineering.
Important Note
One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
Applications without listed duties will not be considered and rejected. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
Verification Of Education And Experience
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
What else should I know?
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
How To Apply
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.
- Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and updated. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Job Analyst Information:
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the job analyst, Crystal Liu at cliu@sfwater.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
- Application Opening: August 10, 2026
- Application Filing Deadline: August 14, 2026
- Recruitment ID: RTF0166318; TEX-6318-166324
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Exempt: This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The duration of the appointment shall not exceed 36 months.
WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness. We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.
Role description
Project: Regional Water Transmission and Treatment Program including Repair & Replacement (R&R) projects and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects
Work Location: 1000 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA
Work Schedule: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Under general supervision, the 6318 Construction Inspector performs field inspections for Repair and Replacement (R&R) maintenance projects within the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water Transmission and Treatment System, including work executed under Job Order Contracts (JOC) and by in-house construction crews. Duties include but are not limited to: coordinating with the Environmental Management Group to ensure all construction activities comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, supporting engineers and Operations staff with pipeline and treatment facility inspections and construction documentation, monitoring the performance of contractors and Water Supply & Treatment Division (WSTD) in-house trades for compliance with plans, specifications, schedules, and budgetary/functional objectives; scheduling and verifying required testing to meet QA/QC standards; preparing detailed inspection and data reports; conducting field measurements; and maintaining accurate as-built records.
Essential Functions
- Monitors and inspects construction activities to ensure compliance with SFPUC WSTD operational standards, contract requirements, and all applicable regulations from authorities having jurisdiction.
- Prepares project documentation including daily reports, monthly reports, annual reports, equipment testing, and other maintenance or repair progress records.
- Participates in and/or conducts construction planning, coordination, progress, scheduling and field meetings.
- Researches and reviews facility plans, historic records, construction documents, and prepares field reports, force account records, materials testing logs, and contract closeout documentation.
- Assists with coordination of in-house operation and maintenance groups and with the project team members to resolve field issues, disputes, and change orders.
- Ensures that all required tests, operations, measurements, and inspections are scheduled, ordered, satisfactorily completed and documented for quality assurance/quality control.
- Maintains records of inspection, testing, correspondence, maintenance repairs, and data report.
- Tracks unit quantities, labor, equipment, installation progress to verify estimated percentage of work completed for payment applications and invoices.
- Identifies and reports safety and traffic hazards, defective work, and prepare work orders for correction.
- Drives a vehicle to inspection sites.
- Initiates contact and follow through with Bureau of Environmental Management for CEQA process.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Two (2) years of verifiable full-time experience in City and County of San Francisco class 6317 Assistant Construction Inspector; OR
- Four (4) years of verifiable full-time experience in construction inspection work ensuring that plans and specifications are complied with, and the workmanship and material used meet specifications.
AND: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License
Substitution
- A baccalaureate degree in Engineering or Architecture from an accredited college or university and/or experience as an Engineer on a level equal to City and County of San Francisco class 5203 Assistant Engineer or as an Architect on a level equal to City and County of San Francisco class 5265 Architectural Associate I or higher may substitute for up to two years of the required experience under Minimum Qualification #2.
- Two (2) years of verifiable full-time experience as a surveyor may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience under Minimum Qualification #2.
- Experience in construction, at the Superintendent/General Foreman level, supervising construction crews of more than six may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience on a year for year basis. Journey level construction experience and/or drafting experience will not be accepted as qualifying under Minimum Qualification #2.
- Possession of an associate degree in construction or engineering from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience under Minimum Qualification #2.
Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring:
- At least five years of work experience in public or commercial construction projects as project engineer, resident engineer, office engineer, design engineer, or construction inspector.
- Bachelor of Art or Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Environmental Science or closely related field.
- At least five years of work experience with computer programs such as: AutoCAD; Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Access; Adobe Acrobat PDF; Google Earth; GIS.
- Familiar with general civil, mechanical, and electrical inspection types and facility engineering.
Important Note
One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
Applications without listed duties will not be considered and rejected. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
Verification Of Education And Experience
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
What else should I know?
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
How To Apply
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.
- Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and updated. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Job Analyst Information:
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the job analyst, Crystal Liu at cliu@sfwater.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
See All 72 Construction Inspector Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Construction Inspector JobsConstruction Inspector Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Construction Inspector Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BKF Engineers23
- Terracon Consultants7
- Cannon3
- Consor2
- Jacobs2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services25
- Education2
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Government & Public Sector1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in construction inspector jobs across California.
- ICC certification or California DSA approval preferred or required by most employers
- Knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, and local jurisdiction standards
- Experience reading and interpreting construction plans, blueprints, and specifications
- Valid California driver's license with reliable transportation for field site visits
- Proficiency with inspection documentation software and digital reporting tools
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for regulatory and contractor coordination
Construction Inspector Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a construction inspector in California?
Most construction inspector roles in California require a combination of field experience and certification from the International Code Council, with many public agencies also requiring approval through the California Division of the State Architect for school and public building projects. A background in construction trades, engineering technology, or a related field strengthens candidacy. Some municipalities have their own testing and registration requirements, so checking with the specific city or county building department is the most reliable step.
Which companies hire construction inspectors in California?
Employers hiring construction inspectors in California right now include BKF Engineers, Terracon Consultants, and Cannon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large public infrastructure programs and active residential permitting activity mean both government agencies and private construction firms maintain ongoing demand for qualified inspectors year-round.
Which California cities have the most construction inspector jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Irvine are the California cities with the most construction inspector openings, driven by sustained residential permitting activity in Southern California, major transit and infrastructure investment in the Bay Area, and the Sacramento region's steady stream of state government and public works projects that consistently require inspection staff.
Are there remote construction inspector jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 34% of construction inspector openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the fact that most inspection work requires direct physical presence at job sites. The portions of the role most suited to remote work include plan review, documentation, and permit coordination functions found in larger municipal or agency settings.
How can I get hired as a construction inspector in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as an inspection aide or construction technician with a California city or county building department, which regularly hires candidates with a trades background or coursework in construction technology even without full certification. Caltrans and large California water districts also hire entry-level inspection assistants. Earning an ICC residential inspection certification before applying gives candidates a measurable edge, and lateral moves from carpentry, electrical, or plumbing trades are a well-recognized pathway into the role.
Where can I find and apply to construction inspector jobs in California?
You can find and apply to construction inspector jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across cities, specialties, and experience levels. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 72 Construction Inspector Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Construction Inspector Jobs