Description
The City is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader to serve as Supervising Building Inspector. This key role oversees the City’s construction inspection program, leading a team of inspectors to ensure safety and compliance across our community's development projects. If you are a seasoned professional ready to step into leadership, we invite you to apply.
Please note: Hiring incentives are not guaranteed but may be valued up to $5,000 for positions deemed hard to fill by the Director of Human Resources. For those candidates who live 50 or more miles from San Luis Obispo County, relocation assistance up to $10,000 may be available. In addition, the City is also honoring service credit towards vacation accrual for completed public sector years of service.
If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Thursday, August 20, 2026, so please hold that date.
JOB SUMMARY:
Under general direction, organizes, directs, supervises, and participates in operations and activities of the City’s construction inspection program.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This single-position, mid-management classification plans and oversees the activities of construction inspection employees This class is distinguished from the Deputy Building Official in that the latter is responsible for overall administration of the Building and Safety Division, including administering the division budget, developing goals, and formulating policy. This class is distinguished from Building Inspector in that the former exercises supervision over Building Inspectors and Stormwater Inspectors.
Requirements
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
The Supervising Building Inspector receives general direction from the Chief Building Official or Deputy Building Official within a framework of broad policies and established organizational values and processes.
The Supervising Building Inspector exercises direct supervision over Building Inspectors and Stormwater Inspectors.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of the class.)
Administers and coordinates activities of the City's construction inspection program, including compliance with stormwater regulations.
Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work performance of building inspectors and stormwater inspectors handles performance issues and participates in the selection of new employees; prepares and conducts performance evaluations; and ensures that staff technical training is current.
Oversees and coordinates consultant services contracts for plan check and review.
Ensures consistency in the inspection of active construction sites.
Schedules, monitors, and tracks field inspection and assigns and distributes workload.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the general public, property owners, other agencies, co-workers, subordinates, and supervisors.
Inspects new and existing commercial, industrial, and residential buildings and structures in various stages of construction/alteration for compliance with approved plans and building codes, grading regulations, zoning requirements, and related ordinances, with emphasis on the more complicated projects.
Collects, analyzes, and interprets data for purposes of special studies and reports; maintains accurate records; oversees the maintenance of automated records and generation of computerized reports relating to plan review and inspection activities; analyzes state law and regulations to ensure program compliance.
Serves as part of the management group of the Building and Safety Division, working in a team environment along with the Code Enforcement Supervisor and Building Permit Services Supervisor.
Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
Organization and direction of operations and activities related to construction inspection.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. Computer applications applicable to construction permitting and documentation of inspections.
Proper and effective principles, methods, techniques, and practices of inspection.
Federal, State, County, and City laws, codes, and ordinances relating to construction regulation.
Ability to:
Use thoughtfulness and poise in resolving issues with the public.
Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports and recommendations, including workload analysis and trends.
Lead, coach, instruct, and motivate employees, and foster a teamwork environment.
Read and interpret building plans, structural calculations, energy compliance documents, and soils reports.
Effectively communicate verbally and in written form.
Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
Establish and maintain records and prepare reports related to assignment.
Attend seminars for code classes and training; attend other meetings as assigned.
Work in a team atmosphere and participate on a variety of departmental and City-wide committees to enhance the provision of all City services.
Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties.
Work in a standard office setting and frequently in a field environment or construction zone to conduct inspections.
Use standard office equipment.
Lift and carry office materials weighing up to ten pounds.
Read printed materials and a computer screen.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to completion of two years of college or technical school training.
and
Three years of progressively responsible experience in enforcement of construction and land use regulations, municipal code enforcement, and building permit processing and inspection, and at least one years in a supervisory or lead capacity in a similar professional working environment.
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:
A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
A valid certification as Building or Combination Inspector and Plans Examiner upon hire.
THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:
Pre-employment Physical
Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)
Equal Opportunity & Language Access Notice
The City of San Luis Obispo values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and inclusion, and where everyone can thrive. Our job posting site is compatible with tools such as Google Translate, which applicants may use to view postings in their preferred language. Please note that all application materials and responses must be submitted in English, as English is the working language of the City.
La Ciudad de San Luis Obispo valora la diversidad, la equidad, la inclusión y el sentido de pertenencia. Estamos comprometidos a fomentar una comunidad donde todas las personas sean tratadas con dignidad, respeto e inclusión, y donde todos puedan prosperar. Nuestro sitio de publicación de empleos es compatible con herramientas como Google Translate, que los solicitantes pueden usar para ver las publicaciones en su idioma preferido. Tenga en cuenta que todos los materiales de la solicitud y las respuestas deben enviarse en inglés, ya que el inglés es el idioma de trabajo de la Ciudad.
