Salary : $109,415.07 - $139,113.10 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-10-3005
Department: Planning
Division: Building and Safety
Opening Date: 10/05/2026
Closing Date: 10/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Join the City of Berkeley's Planning and Development Department in its effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens by enforcing building codes and regulations. As a Certified Building Inspector I or II, you will perform skilled inspection work in the enforcement of building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, zoning and related codes and regulations that govern new building and housing construction, additions, alterations, repairs and use of existing buildings. This work includes resolving problems and complaints to final resolution.
These classifications differ in that the Building Inspector I works under closer supervision and performs less complex inspection work than the Building Inspector II.
See the full job class specifications:
Building Inspector I:
Building Inspector II:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities is:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and experience as specified below.
- Building Inspector I:
- One year of full-time experience as a building inspector with a public agency, OR
- Four years of full-time experience as a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, building plans examiner, public works inspector or permit specialist, OR
- Three years of full-time experience in the building construction field as a licensed general, plumbing, electrical or mechanical contractor, OR
- Completion of a two year AA program or equivalent in construction technology or a related field and a minimum of four ICC certificates including building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical.
- Building Inspector II:
- Three years of full time experience in building inspection work with a public agency.
Other requirements include possession of a valid International Code Council (ICC) Commercial and Residential Building Inspector Certificate or equivalent. In addition, Building Inspector II requires possession of a valid ICC Commercial and Residential Electrical Inspector Certification or equivalent. Equivalency shall be determined by the building official in accordance with state law. Required certifications must be maintained as a condition of employment.
Incumbents in both positions must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record is required.
APPLICATION PROCESS Application deadline: Monday, October 26, 2026 at 5 PM Pacific.Applicants must submit a completed application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS The exam process will include:
- Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application period close date)
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
RetirementCalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical PlansEmployees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental PlanThe City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Vision PlanThe City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.
Life InsuranceThe City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick LeaveEmployees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
VacationNew employees accrue 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.
Holidays15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
Uniform AllowanceEmployees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU CSU)
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
- Some High School
- High School or Equivalent
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or Higher
02
Please indicate degree(s) and/or major coursework, if applicable.
03
If you have worked as a Building Inspector with a public agency, including companies which contract inspection services to public agencies, please indicate the jurisdiction(s) where you worked, title of your position and date(s) of employment. In depth duties must be reflected in the Work History section of this application.
04
Please check which International Code Council (ICC) Certification you possess:
- Building Inspection Certification
- Plumbing Inspection Certification
- Mechanical Inspection Certification
- Electrical Inspection Certification
- None of the above
- Other
05
If you chose "Other" in the question above, please indicate the International Code Council (ICC) Certification you possess.
06
For the Certifications you possess, please indicate your Certification number and expiration date. If you selected "None of the above", please enter "N/A".
07
How many years of full time work experience do you have as a journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber, building plans examiner, public works inspector or permit specialist? Please indicate job titles and dates of employment bwlow, if applicable. In depth duties must be reflected in the Work History section of this application.
08
How many years of full-time work experience in the building construction field do you have as a licensed general, plumbing, electrical or mechanical contractor? Please indicate job titles and dates of employment below, if applicable. In depth duties must be reflected in the Work History section of this application.
09
I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
Required Question
