Construction Inspector, Environmental Services

The City of Tacoma, Environmental Services Department, is recruiting for the classified, union-represented position of Construction Inspector. A Construction Inspector is responsible for the inspection of a variety of construction projects for conformance with speci

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fications, City ordinances and regulations.

This position will work within the Field Operations Group in the Environmental Services Science and Engineering Division. The position will provide inspection services for the capital improvement projects of the City’s Wastewater, Stormwater and Solid Waste Utilities (approximate average annual Capital Improvement budget of $30 Million).

The ESSE Division provides a unique opportunity for Construction Inspectors to work on a wide variety of complex capital improvement projects as they progress through their careers. The types of projects can cover the full spectrum of typical municipal infrastructure improvements associated with Wastewater, Stormwater, and Solid Waste Utilities and partnering with the City’s Public Works Department and Tacoma Public Utilities.

Construction Inspectors in Environmental Services work on projects related to following areas:

  • Collection System Projects – Projects that focus on the municipal wastewater and stormwater collection system capital improvements, including both open cut and trenchless technologies and associated roadway, ADA improvements as well as state of the art green infrastructure (GIS/LID) and innovative stormwater management components.
  • Facility Capital Projects – Projects that include multiple engineering disciplines found in typical municipal utility facilities such as: wastewater treatment processes; wastewater and stormwater pumping systems; and electrical and instrumentation systems.

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, Construction Inspectors provide inspection services in conformance with the contract plans and specification on a variety of construction projects, including: roads and bridges, water and electrical systems, streets, and facilities; ensuring that projects are constructed within the scope of the project, on schedule, and within budget.

Our Ideal Candidate is a person with:

  • An excellent work ethic
  • A strong construction background in civil construction methods
  • Good communication skills
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements
  • A team player

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives.  We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do.  The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

Essential Duties:

  • Inspect a variety of construction and installation projects including water and electrical systems, streets, concrete structures and large development projects for conformance with specifications, City ordinances and regulations.
  • Inspect sewers, streets, street lighting and traffic signal systems, telephone cables, bridges, walls and large construction projects such as housing developments and apartment complexes as assigned.
  • Inspect grades and test construction materials such as sand, gravel, concrete pour and
  • aggregates; inspect and test water mains and fire hydrants.
  • Inspect trenching, placing and backfilling for the transformer wells, junction boxes, street light foundations, poles and installation of underground cables.
  • Coordinate with contractors to facilitate construction and installation projects and to adjust project plans as necessary; account for contract bid items in preparation of payment to contractors.
  • Review project plans and specifications for completeness, accuracy and compliance with City ordinances and regulations.
  • Communicate with various City departments and personnel to coordinate and facilitate projects.
  • Prepare and maintain various records and reports concerning projects, job status and progress.
  • Coordinate efforts of private and public utility adjustments and installations during course of an assigned project.
  • Train and provide work direction to others as assigned.
  • Advise and confer with the general public concerning project activities as appropriate.
  • Operate a variety of equipment such as personal computers, land survey equipment,
  • mechanical testing equipment, metal detectors, pressure gauges and two-way radios; operate vehicles, such as automobiles, pick-up trucks and boats as necessary to conduct work.
  • An incumbent paid at non-automatic step 6 will also be responsible for performing complex inspection of construction projects, training, coordinating work and/or providing work direction to other Inspectors.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

  • Position may require lifting of objects weighing up to 50 lbs., pushing and climbing.
  • Work includes indoor and outdoor environment; subject to driving from site to site and fumes.
  • Incumbents in this classification may be exposed to hazardous chemicals and traffic hazards.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma’s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma’s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

 

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to:

Graduation from high school supplemented by college-level courses related to inspection work,

AND

Three (3) years of experience in field or office engineering work involving construction phase reviews.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State driver’s license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

 

  • Construction specifications and plans.
  • Regulations related to public works, water systems, underground power and street lighting construction by contract.
  • Sewer and water system construction.
  • Underground power and street lighting construction.
  • Grading operations and the preparation of sub-grades.
  • Basic principles and practices of engineering.
  • Inspection techniques related to weights and measuring devices.
  • Technical aspects of field of specialty.
  • Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Methods, equipment and materials used in construction inspection.
  • Record-keeping techniques.
  • Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
  • Read and prepare engineering plans and specifications.
  • Perform construction inspections and tests.
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  • Meet schedules and time lines.
  • Learn to interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Understand and follow oral and written directions.
  • Work independently with little direction.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
  • Operate a variety of equipment such as testing and survey equipment and measuring devices.
  • Operate a motor vehicle.
  • Lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

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