Senior Building Inspector

Salary : $131,652.00 - $162,528.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 264084-01
Department: Community Development
Division: Building & Safety
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/29/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

Job Summary
DEFINITION
This classification performs the most complex and difficult combination inspections involving residential, commercial, industrial, and other construction; provides advanced technical interpretation and guidance concerning building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, accessibility, energy, green building, and related construction requirements; serves as a technical resources to inspection staff, assists in training and mentoring inspectors; coordinates complex inspection activities; and performs related duties as assigned.
Note: This classification is eligible for a $15,000 signing bonus for new employees.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Senior Building Inspector is the advanced journey-level classification in the Building Inspector series. Incumbents possess extensive building inspection experience and demonstrated competency in all major construction inspection disciplines. Assignments include complex, high-value, unusual, sensitive, or technically challenging projects requiring substantial independent judgment and advanced knowledge of construction codes and inspection practices.
The Senior Building Inspector serves as a technical resource and mentor to Building Inspector I and Building Inspector II and may provide technical direction on assigned projects or inspection activities.The classification does not exercise formal supervisory authority. Formal personnel supervision, performance management, work-unit administration, and overall assignment of inspection staff remain the responsibility of designated supervisory classifications.
The Senior Building Inspector is distinguished from Building Inspector II by the coordination, scheduling, assignments, training, and review of work in addition to the complexity and sensitivity of assignments, advanced technical responsibilities, and expectation to assist other inspectors in resolving difficult inspection issues.
SUPERVISION
Works under the general supervision of the Building Inspection Supervisor or other designated supervisory staff who outlines work assignments, occasionally reviews work in progress and periodically reviews completed work. May coordinate and schedule inspection activities and provide functional direction on projects and reviews work Provides input to employee performance evaluations. No supervision exercised.

Representative Duties
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
Serves as a senior technical resource and first-level leader within the inspection team, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to Building Inspector I and II staff without exercising formal supervisory authority.

Performs advanced combination inspections of complex residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, high-rise, major alteration, phased construction, and other technically challenging projects, including structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
Provides technical leadership in resolving difficult, complex, or disputed inspection issues involving code interpretation, unusual field conditions, construction methods, inspection requirements, and enforcement procedures.
Mentors and coaches inspection staff in code application, inspection methods, documentation, problem solving, customer service, professional judgment, and development of technical competencies.
Assists in developing and delivering technical training, facilitates knowledge sharing among inspection staff, and supports the onboarding and development of less-experienced inspectors.
Provides functional guidance and coordinates inspection activities on complex projects or assignments as directed, while responsibility for formal supervision, performance management, discipline, and other personnel matters remains with supervisory or management staff.
Reviews plans, specifications, engineering reports, product approvals, special inspection and structural observation documentation, and other technical materials necessary to evaluate and verify code compliance.
Coordinates complex inspection activities and participates in preconstruction and field meetings with plan review staff, engineers, architects, contractors, special inspectors, testing agencies, Fire, Public Works, utilities, and other agencies.
Provides technical input on inspection policies, procedures, standard operating practices, checklists, training materials, and implementation of new codes and regulatory requirements; identifies recurring issues and recommends improvements to inspection practices and service delivery.
Assists in resolving difficult or sensitive matters involving contractors, property owners, design professionals, and the public; identifies unsafe conditions and recommends or initiates appropriate corrective or enforcement action within delegated authority; and performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND, ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of building inspection and code enforcement
• Complex residential, commercial, and industrial construction methods and
• materials
• Structural systems and advanced building construction principles
• Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems applicable to complex
• construction
• Current California Building Standards Code and applicable state laws and local
• amendments
• Accessibility, energy conservation, green building, and related regulatory
• requirements
• Special inspection and structural observation requirements
• Principles involved in evaluating alternate construction methods and unusual field
• conditions
• Inspection documentation and enforcement procedures
• Principles of effective technical training and mentoring
• Conflict resolution and effective communication in difficult or sensitive situations
• Building inspection policies, procedures, and quality-control practices

Skill in:

• Leading and coordinating the work of others
• Understanding and interpreting plans and specifications
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing
• Using standard office equipment, software applications, and computerized permit tracking systems

Ability to:

• Independently perform the most complex combination building inspections.
• Apply and explain advanced building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing code
• requirements.
• Analyze unusual construction conditions and identify appropriate code
• requirements.
• Read and interpret complex architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and
• plumbing plans.
• Identify conflicts between approved plans, field conditions, and applicable codes.
• Exercise sound independent judgment in difficult technical situations.
• Resolve complex inspection and code-compliance issues.
• Provide effective technical guidance to inspectors and other staff.
• Train and mentor less experienced inspectors.
• Communicate effectively with architects, engineers, contractors, developers,
• property owners,
• and regulatory agencies.
• Handle controversial or sensitive inspection matters professionally.
• Coordinate inspection activities on major and complex projects.
• Recommend improvements to inspection procedures and service delivery.

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent.
• College-level coursework in construction technology, architecture, engineering, building inspection, code administration, or a related field is desirable.
• An Associate or Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, construction technology, or a closely related field is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Two years of work experience as Building Inspector II with the City of Santa Monica, independently performing combination inspections involving building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing disciplines or six years of paid work experience performing combination inspections, including residential and commercial construction inspection, and performing inspections involving multiple construction disciplines.

Experience performing inspections of complex commercial, industrial, mixed-use, major alteration, or other technically complex projects is highly desirable.
Experience in providing technical guidance, training, or mentoring to other inspection personnel is desirable.
Licenses and Certifications
Licenses:

• Possession of a valid Class C driver license.

Certificates:

Possession and maintenance of the following ICC inspector certifications is required:

• Commercial Building Inspector (B2)
• Commercial Electrical Inspector (#2)
• Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M2)
• Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P2)
• Residential Building Inspector (B1)
• Residential Electrical Inspector (E1)
• Residential mechanical Inspector (M1)
• Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)

Possession of an applicable ICC Commercial Combination Inspector and Residential Combination Inspector designation may satisfy the requirement when the underlying ICC credentials include all required commercial and residential inspection disciplines.
Additional certifications that are desirable include, as applicable: ICC Building Plans Examiner; ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner; ICC Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner; ICC Special Inspector certifications; and other ICC certifications relevant to assigned Building & Safety functions.
All required certifications shall be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must file a clear, concise and complete City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma, if applicable and copies of your certificates from the International Code Council with your application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than close of business on the application closing date. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of the following:

• Oral Interview: 100%

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

NOTE: If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246. TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three works days prior to the examination.
WORKING CONDITIONS

Some work is generally performed indoors. On occasion when inspections are being conducted will shadow/train with experienced staff at construction sites, abandoned buildings, and outdoor work sites, learning building codes, ordinances and documentation standards.

Physical demands include standing, bending, stooping, crawling, lifting up to 25 pounds, climbing ladders and flights of stairs, walking and sitting. Counter work and working in front of a computer terminal is also required. Exposure to dust, direct, odors, noise, vibrations and other outdoor elements may be encountered.
The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.
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