Specialty Combination Inspector (Continuous)

Salary : $109,262.40 - $134,139.20 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 26-IS119-04
Department: Planning & Building Department
Opening Date: 04/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: SC1

The Position

What you will typically be responsible for:

Permit Inspection and Field Work:

• Conducting site visits and performing visual inspections of work in progress or completed.
• Reading blueprints and construction documents and verifying built elements are in compliance.
• Verifying that construction, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems are installed correctly and meet applicable codes and standards.
• Documenting inspection results accurately within permit system software.
• Communicating findings to property owners, contractors, or tenants and issuing clear and concise correction notices to ensure compliance.

Code Enforcement:

• Verifying, identifying, and addressing violations related to property maintenance, zoning, or development standards.
• Conducting proactive rental inspections.
• Working with property owners and tenants to resolve safety hazards and ensure compliance with local regulations.
• Participating in code discussions and recommending process improvements to enhance enforcement efficiency.
• Enforcing property maintenance standards and ensuring properties are safe, healthy, and compliant with relevant codes and ordinances.
• Issuing notices from verified violations, including stop work orders, placards, citations, and orders to abate.
• Documenting inspections and interactions pertinent to a code enforcement case and conducting case management.
• Collaborating with various departments, including those involved in the relocation program.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will join a supportive team that encourages professional development and growth.
• You will make a meaningful impact on the community by ensuring properties meet health and safety standards.
• You will receive a competitive salary, comprehensive employment benefits, and a healthy work-life balance.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will conduct inspections and site visits to verify that work performed or existing conditions comply with adopted codes and regulations.
• You will communicate and collaborate effectively with fellow Inspectors and Supervisors to ensure consistent and uniform service delivery.
• You will engage with contractors, property owners, and residents to communicate code requirements and assist in achieving compliance.

Competencies Required:

• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Mechanical Insight: Comprehending how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter expertise to the job
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Read the complete job description by clicking

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Education:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:
Two (2) years of recent full-time journey level experience in the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or carpentry trade and completion of a recognized apprenticeship program in one or more of these disciplines. Five (5) years of varied recent, full-time journey level experience in the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or carpentry trade may be substituted for the apprenticeship.

-OR-

Two (2) years of recent full-time experience as a Combination Dwelling Inspector.

-OR-

One (1) year of experience as a Combination Inspector in a position comparable to that of the City of Oakland or a Specialty Inspector at the City of Oakland.

-OR-

A Bachelor's degree in civil, structural, mechanical, electrical engineering, or architecture from an accredited college or university may be substituted for all experience requirements.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements
One certification as an Inspector related to assigned job functions from a nationally or state recognized agency (such as IAPMO or ICC or IAEI) must be obtained within 12 months of appointment to this position, unless the appointee is otherwise exempted based on California Building Standards Code 18949.28. The Specialty Combination Inspector is required to maintain valid inspector certification throughout his or her employment with the City of Oakland. Failure to maintain this certificate may result in dismissal from employment.

Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of three (3) or more specific trades such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or structural systems
• Experience in the building industry, including construction, regulation, or design of building projects
• Experience with code enforcement practices, including identifying violations and ensuring compliance with property maintenance standards.
• Education or certifications related to building codes, architectural design, construction management, code enforcement, or technical fields

Supplemental Information

Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise (weighted 100%), which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Tentative Schedule

Application SubmittedWritten Exam Sent to Qualified CandidatesApril 6, 2026 - May 31, 2026Week of June 8, 2026June 1, 2026 - July 31, 2026Week of August 10, 2026August 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026Week of October 12, 2026October 1, 2026 - November 30, 2026Week of December 7, 2026
What's in it for you?

• 40-hour work week
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The Cit