Maintenance Contract Inspector

Salary : $74,834.03 - $90,944.88 Annually
Location : San Clemente, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2627-11
Department: MAINTENANCE
Opening Date: 10/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The City of San Clemente is seeking a knowledgeable, dependable, and service-minded Maintenance Contractor Inspector to support the upkeep of the City's parks, beaches, landscapes, streetscapes, and public spaces.

This position plays an important role in ensuring outside contractors perform quality maintenance work in accordance with City standards, contract requirements, safety expectations, and community needs. The ideal candidate will bring experience in parks, beaches, landscape maintenance, irrigation, contract coordination, and field inspections, along with the ability to communicate effectively with contractors, City staff, and members of the public.

If you take pride in well-maintained public spaces, enjoy field-based work, and want to help preserve the beauty and usability of San Clemente's parks and coastal amenities, this may be a great opportunity for you.

In this role, you may:

• Inspect City parks, beaches, streetscapes, landscaped areas, and related facilities
• Oversee and monitor the work of outside maintenance contractors
• Help administer maintenance contracts and track contractor performance
• Review invoices and records related to contracted maintenance work
• Respond to public inquiries and resolve maintenance-related concerns
• Program, monitor, and troubleshoot centralized irrigation systems
• Coordinate maintenance and construction projects within the Beaches and Parks Division
• Prepare specifications, estimate costs, order supplies, and maintain project records
• Perform skilled and semi-skilled maintenance work when needed
• Operate equipment such as forklifts, loaders, dump trucks, backhoes, pressure washers, and other tools
• Support graffiti removal, sign installation, light carpentry, and emergency call-outs
• Assist in the maintenance, care, and inspection of the City's urban forest

Essential Functions
Essential and other important functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administer the maintenance contracts; oversee and ensure the adherence to contract regulations and bindings agreements; advise Beaches & Parks Maintenance Manager of administrative activities.

• Oversee, inspect, monitor and assign the work of outside contractors responsible for upkeep and maintenance of City parks, beaches, and landscaped areas; ensure parks, beaches and streets are properly maintained, make recommendations to the assigned supervisor as appropriate.
• Review and initially approve the payment of bills for contractual work; maintain records on contractors' performances; prepare invoices; forward to appropriate staff for final approval of payment.
• Perform various skilled and semi-skilled construction and repair functions related to assigned areas of specialization; operate forklifts, backhoes, loaders, dump trucks and pressure washer, as needed for ongoing and emergency call-outs; ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Program, operate and monitor centralized irrigation systems; troubleshoot operational problems and errors; make adjustments and repairs as needed.
• Respond to, investigate, and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquires and complaints.
• Prepare specifications and estimate costs for work projects; order equipment and supplies related to areas supported; monitor actual costs charged.
• Coordinate the design and implementation of construction and maintenance projects for specific Beaches and Parks Division projects.
• Perform a variety of record keeping functions; prepare correspondence, memos and related documents.
• Perform light carpentry; remove graffiti and install signs as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be someone who:

• Has experience in parks, beaches, landscape, irrigation, or facility maintenance
  • Has specific knowledge and experience in maintaining and inspecting urban forests
• Understands contract oversight, field inspections, and contractor coordination
• Takes pride in maintaining high-quality public spaces
• Can identify maintenance needs and recommend practical solutions
• Communicates professionally with contractors, coworkers, supervisors, and the public
• Is organized and able to maintain accurate records, invoices, and documentation
• Can work independently in the field and manage changing priorities
• Understands safety practices related to maintenance, equipment, landscaping, and public spaces
• Is comfortable working outdoors in various weather and field conditions
• Wants to help keep San Clemente's parks, beaches, and landscapes beautiful and welcoming

Typical Qualifications

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible experience in parks, beaches or landscape maintenance, including one year of lead or supervisory experience.

Education/Training:
High School Diploma, or equivalent, supplemented by specialized technical training in landscape maintenance or a related field.
Licenses or Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid CA driver's license at the time of appointment.

Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year, an appropriate, valid California Qualified Applicator's certificate, depending upon the position assignment and work needs.

For more information, you can review the full Classification Specification: .

Supplemental Information
All applicants must submit a completed City of San Clemente application form and supplemental questionnaire in order to be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.

Applications must be submitted via the City's web site at

SELECTION PROCESS

• Applications and Supplemental Questions will be reviewed and evaluated for relevant education and experience.
• Candidates considered to have the best qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process.
• The selection process will consist of an Oral Interview weighted at 100%.
• An eligibility list will be established and may be used to fill future vacancies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment:

Work involves working within an indoor office, laboratory environment, water treatment plants, and water operations facilities. Work involves exposure to water, mud, sewage, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, traffic, chemicals, machinery, dirt, vibration head, cold and dampness; exposure to biological hazardous environments. Work may take place in inclement weather conditions; at elevated heights on scaffolding and/or ladders; within confined spaces, underground, on slippery or uneven surfaces; and/or around heavy construction equipment.

Physical Requirements:

Essential functions require:

• Strenuous and manual tasks for prolonged periods of time
• Operating motorized vehicles and heavy equipment
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy items
• Standing, walking, or sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment, handle files and documents.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone
• Visual acuity to see/read documents and computer screen and to read instrumentation dials, measures devices, or other related components

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Cara Morin at (949) 361-8203 or

The City of San Clemente provides excellent benefits which include:

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE - Most positions work a 9/80 work schedule.

HOLIDAYS - The City presently recognizes 12 regular holidays, plus two floating holidays.

VACATION - Employees accumulate vacation at the rate of 104 hours per year increasing to a maximum of 176 hours based on years of service.

SICK LEAVE - Accrual of 8 hours per month.

INSURANCE - The City provides a comprehensive benefit package including employee medical, dental, vision.

LIFE INSURANCE - Value equal to two times annual earnings up to a maximum of $100,000.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may elect to enroll in a voluntary plan and defer up to the IRS permitted annual maximum. Employees may defer up to a maximum of $24,500 annually in 2026. Individuals aged 50 and older can contribute up to $8,000 in catch-up contributions to these plans.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in either or both of the Health Care or Dependent Care programs.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The City offers full-time employees and their dependents an EAP program which provides a variety of professional services.

ON-SITE FITNESS CENTER - The City provides a no fee on-site fitness center with state of the art equipment located in City Hall.
RETIREMENT - The City of San Clemente is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and is subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). The retirement formula for new employees is based on the category below that the new employee falls under. Employee contribution rates will be determined by the employee's classification and requirements under PEPRA.
NOTE: The City is also a member of the Social Security system. As such, Full Time employees make contributions to Social Security in addition to their CalPERS contributions.
Classic Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 55

Definition:

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the PEPRA definition of a "new member" as "classic members" who are subject to the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). PEPRA allows a member after January 1, 2013, to retain his/her classic member retirement benefit status if the member continues his/her membership in all previous California Public Retirement System(s) by leaving his/her service credit and contributions (if any) on deposit, and the member enters into employment that results in CalPERS membership within six months of separating from the most recent California Public Retirement System. Classic member status also requires the membership date to be on or before December 31, 2012, in a California Public Retirement System in which reciprocity is established.
New Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 62

Definition: A new member is defined in PEPRA as any of the following:

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has a break in service of greater than six months with another California Public Retirement System that is subject to Reciprocity.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six months.

01

PLEASE READ: The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with the job application to determine whether the qualification requirements are met. Please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in the application being rejected. A resume may not be submitted in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I may not say "see resume" as a response to a Supplemental Question. I have read the above statement and acknowledge that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected.

• I acknowledge
• I do not acknowledge

02

Do you have one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least three years of experience in parks, beaches, or landscape maintenance? If you do have at least three years, please briefly describe your experience. If you do not have any experience, please indicate N/A.
04

Do you have any specialized technical training in landscape maintenance or related field? If you do have experience in landscape maintenance, briefly describe your experience and training (including any experience in urban forestry maintenance and inspection). If you do not have any training in landscape maintenance, please indicate N/A.
05

Do you currently have or the ability to obtain an appropriate valid California Qualified Applicator's certificate? If you do have a va