Salary: $42.02 - $53.63 Hourly
Location : City Hall, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA
Job Type: Full time, non-exempt
Job Number: 2026-024
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The City of Goleta invites qualified applicants to apply for Public Works Inspector to fill one (1) vacancy in the Transportation and Development Engineering Division of the Public Works Department.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will have experience in construction inspection or para-professional public works engineering. They should be able to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications, apply applicable laws and regulations, manage multiple projects, and communicate effectively with City staff, contractors, developers, and the public.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Public Works Inspector performs field and technical inspections for a variety of public works and private development projects. The position is responsible for ensuring construction complies with approved plans, City standards, safety regulations, and applicable codes. Additional responsibilities include reviewing plans and specifications, preparing inspection reports, and maintaining project records.
Examples of Duties
The following duties are typical for positions in this classification. Incumbents may not perform all listed job functions, nor are all listed duties necessarily performed by everyone in this class depending upon business need and changing business practices:

• Inspects private land development improvements and public works improvement and construction projects to include streets, curbs, gutters, storm drains, sewers, sidewalks, water lines, and related structures; inspects line, grade, size, elevation, and location of structures for conformance with City codes, standards, plans, regulations and specifications.
• Regularly observes construction operations of construction projects in the field; identifies underground service alert markings; interprets maps, plans, and reports; performs inspection of underground work such as installations of drainage facilities and other construction while observing all applicable safety precautions.
• Determines if construction methods are in conformity with safety regulations; inspects and takes samples of construction materials for identification and to ensure conformance with specifications; reviews quantity of materials used.
• Reports on work not in accordance with specifications and recommends work stoppage for noncompliance; prepares construction change orders; inspects adjacent properties for damage from construction activity.
• Reviews plans and specifications of assigned project; explains and interprets requirements and restrictions; attends pre-construction conferences; meets with property owners regarding project schedules, inconvenience and hazards.
• Performs field inspections of temporary traffic control setups to confirm compliance with authorized temporary traffic control plans and applicable standards.
• Coordinates activities with other City departments, utilities, developers, agencies, and the public; responds to inquiries and complaints; attends City and community meetings as needed.
• Prepares written reports and keeps inspection logs; takes photographs; composes correspondence to contractors, engineers and developers; testifies in court when litigation is instigated.
• Measures and records installed quantities to verify completed work and support contractor payment applications.
• Operates a city vehicle, computer and associated software, Ipad, and other equipment required in the performance of duties.
• Responds to public inquiries, providing information within area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Prepares and maintains records of projects, activities and materials.
• Provides vacation and temporary relief as required.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Typical Qualifications
Education, Experience and Training
Education, Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• High school education or equivalent supplemented by specialized training in the building and construction trades.

Experience:

• Two years of increasingly responsible construction inspection or para-professional public works engineering experience or related field.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Methods and practices of public works inspections and temporary traffic control.
• Methods, materials, equipment, and safety hazards of public works construction; construction defects, flaws and corrective measures.
• Mathematics applicable to public works construction including basic trigonometry.
• Nomenclature, symbols, methods, practices, techniques, and instruments used in engineering and mapping.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Modern office practices and methods; computer equipment and applicable software, and other related equipment.
• Techniques used in public relations.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Perform difficult and comprehensive inspections of varied public works projects at all phases of construction; apply proper inspection techniques; analyze complex field engineering problems and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Determine quality, materials and workmanship through inspection and compliance with plans and specifications.
• Interpret and apply the laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to public works construction and inspection; understand pertinent procedures and functions quickly and apply them without immediate supervision.
• Read and interpret engineering and other technical plans, specifications, blueprints, and drawings; maintain accurate records; prepare clear and concise oral and written reports; perform accurate mathematical computations.
• Confer and advise developers and contractors; use tact and diplomacy to ensure conformity of construction with the interest and safety of the public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; calmly handle complaints and problems.
• Understand and follow verbal and written directions; work safely and efficiently.
• Operate a vehicle, computer and associated software, Ipad, and other related equipment; observe legal and defensive driving practices.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class "C" California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical and mental demands 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 these essential job functions.

• Mental function: Includes reading, writing, mathematical computations, operating a computer, problem solving, managing multiple projects, calmly handling complaints and problems from irate citizens or contractors, decision making under stressful conditions, and executing assignments within established deadlines.
• Productivity: Incumbents must perform work in an efficient, effective and timely manner with minimal direction.
• Mobility: Incumbents must be able to stand, sit, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate field measuring instruments, survey equipment, computers, and various office equipment. Incumbents may be required to lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Vision: Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Hearing: Incumbents are required to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
• Environment: Ability to be exposed to inclement weather and conditions including cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibrations, chemicals, mechanical and electrical hazards.
• Other factors: Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Incumbents will be required to travel to different sites and locations; and be available for overtime, on-call, or standby duty.

9/80 WORK SCHEDULE: Optional and subject to Department Director approval.
HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE: Subject to approval. Employees must work a minimum of two days in-person, allowing up to three days remote,
HOLIDAYS: 13 fixed holidays (at 8 hours each); one floating holiday (8 hours).
VACATION: Annual vacation leave accrual of 88 hours and up to 176 hours after 15 years of service with a maximum accrual of 352 hours. Pursuant to eligibility requirements, employees may have the option to cash out up to 100 hours per fiscal year.
SICK LEAVE: Sick leave accrual of 12 days (96 hours) per year with no maximum accrual.
BENEFIT PLAN: The City Flexible Benefit Plan provides an allowance for the payment of health, dental, and vision insurance premiums through the City's benefit program, in the following monthly amounts: $1,560 for "employee-only" plans, $1,620 for "employee-plus-one" plans, and $1,640 for "employee-plus-family" plans. Alternatively, participants may receive $1,033.34 for participation in a qualified plan elsewhere.
GROUP LIFE INSURANCE: Benefit level equivalent to 1x annual salary to a maximum of $200,000. Premium paid by the city.
VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE: Voluntary life insurance coverage is available for employees, spouses, and dependents. Premium paid by employee.
RETIREMENT PLAN: The city participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and does not participate in Social Security. New PERS members receive 2% at age 62, average of 3 years' final compensation benefit level and contribute 7.75% of their salary to pension costs. Classic members receive 2% at age 55, single-highest year benefit formula and pay 7.00% of their salary toward pension costs
LONG-TERM DISABILITY: Paid by City.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employee-paid deferred compensation plan is available. For participation in the City's deferred compensation plan, the city will match up to $25 per pay period.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT PROGRAMS: Employee-paid Flexible Spending Account Programs for medical and dependent care expenses are available.
COASTAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP: The city is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
PAID SUPPLEMENTAL PREGNANCY DISABILITY LEAVE AND SUPPLEMENTAL PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: The City of Goleta will pay the difference between any benefit the employee receives through state SDI or other City-offered group disability insurance plan and 100% of the employee's base salary (not to exceed ten weeks for pregnancy disability and not to exceed six weeks for parental bonding).
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: Through participation in the City's Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, employees may be eligible to receive a per-diem benefit of $7.50 per day.
01

Please describe your experience using Caltrans and Greenbook standard plans and specifications.
02

Please describe your experience using California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) Part C - Temporary Traffic Control
03

Please describe your experience using construction management software, like CMIS or Procore.
Required Question