Building Inspector

Salary: $34.12 - $48.01 Hourly
Location : 110 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00508
Department: Community & Economic Development Dept.
Division: Building & Safety
Opening Date: 10/29/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
Under the supervision of the Chief Building Official, conducts technical building inspections to enforce compliance with building codes, regulations, and ordinances; researches new construction materials and methods; provides information to and collaborates with the public to resolve issues. Performs code enforcement duties; conducts National Pollution Discharge Elimination System inspections and related fieldwork.

Examples of Duties

(Duties may include, but are not limited to the following):

• Reads and interprets construction plans and specifications.
• Checks routine building plans for conformance to city codes and the currently adopted model Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical codes and State of California Energy and Accessibility regulations.
• Inspects buildings and other structures during various stages of construction and remodeling to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Performs combination inspection duties in trade specialties including building (structural and fire and life safety), plumbing, electrical, and mechanical.
• Issues permits for work to be performed.
• Provides technical information to architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, developers, and others regarding code requirements.
• Maintains records of inspections and corrections.
• Conducts post disaster evaluations.
• Performs code enforcement duties relating to building codes.
• Performs National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) inspections.
• Conducts Fats, Oils, and Grease Control (FOG) inspections.
• Provides quality customer service.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, and techniques of building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes, code enforcement best practices, NPDES regulations, FOG requirements, and State of California Energy and Accessibility regulations.
• General zoning and land use laws.
• Principles of building inspection and plans examination work.
• Principles of structural design and engineering mathematics.
• Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction for commercial and residential buildings.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Safe work practices and procedures.
• Effective customer service techniques.

Skill and Ability to:

• Interpret and apply pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Read and interpret complex building plans, specifications, and building codes.
• Check routine building plans for conformance to City codes and the California Building Code, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical codes, and Energy and Accessibility regulations.
• Perform combination building and construction inspections covering all currently adopted model Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical codes, and State of California Energy and Accessibility regulations.
• Identify code enforcement violations; communicate the information to the violator in a polite manner, and follow-up with appropriate photo and written documentation.
• Perform routine Best Management Practice inspections to confirm compliance with the approved Water Quality Management Plan.
• Perform routine Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) inspections to confirm compliance with City requirements.
• Create and maintain accurate records, databases, and files.
• Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports and correspondence.
• Utilize a variety of computer software programs for record keeping, scheduling, word processing, and other processes common to enforcement of building regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in a courteous and helpful manner.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and City staff.
• Provide excellent customer service skills in challenging situations while maintaining a cooperative positive attitude.

Supplemental Information

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

EXPERIENCE:
Two (2) years of construction trade experience or an equivalent combination of experience and training.

EDUCATION:
Completion of high school supplemented by construction code classes and other related codes, i.e., California building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and Title 24.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license.
Possession of International Code Council Combination Inspector certificate or equivalent is desirable, or the ability to acquire International Code Council Residential Building Inspector and Commercial Building Inspector certifications within one (1) year of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

ENVIRONMENT: Office, field, and construction site environment; travel from site to site; work at public counter; exposure to dust, noise, heat, cold, outdoors, and electrical energy.

PHYSICAL: Sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment; sit, walk on uneven surfaces, stand, and walk for extended periods; lift, climb (i.e.: ladders, scaffolds, slopes, roofs, trenches), crawl (in attics or under flooring), and/or kneel for prolonged periods of time; sufficient mobility to work in and around construction projects; requires safely operating motorized vehicles.

VISION: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; visually inspect work in progress, have sufficient eyesight to read plans, hard copy reports, and computer images, and sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements including typing.

HEARING: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction at normal conversational levels in person and over the telephone.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
01

Do you possess a valid California Class C Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Less than high school diploma or GED equivalent
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

03

How many years of administrative or technical experience involving a high level of public contact and customer service do you possess?

• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

04

How many years of experience in the area of Building and Safety, or equivalent municipal experience, do you possess?

• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years

05

Have you completed coursework or formal training related to construction codes, such as the California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, or Electrical Codes, or Title 24?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, please identify the coursework or training completed, including the subject matter and educational institution or training provider.
07

For the question answered above, please provide the name of the agency, length of time position, and level or responsibility by each function listed. Please note that "See Resume" or "See Application" will be considered an incomplete response for this question. If you do not have the required experience, please indicate "N/A".
08

How many years of experience do you possess interpreting building codes and reviewing construction plans?

• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more, but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

09

Combination Building Inspectors must have a current certification as a California Residential or California Commercial Building Inspector, or California Residential or California Commercial Plumbing, Mechanical, or Electrical Inspector from the International Code Council (ICC) and/or other nationally recognize certification agencies (proof required*) . Do you have any of these certifications?

• Yes
• No

10

How many years of experience do you have working a public counter in a municipal or county building department responsible for enforcing codes or municipal laws and processing permits?
11

Please describe your experience with using personal computers and other electronic devices to enter, retrieve, and update inspection data and permit information, send and receive email, take and upload photos.
Required Question