Supervising Building Inspector

NOTE: As of 01/08/2026 the deadline to apply for this position has been updated to close at 5 pm on 01/22/2026. Application review and interviews will be conducted as originally posted in the recruitment timeline.

The current vacancy is for Supervising Building Inspector in the Planning and Community Development Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Supervising Building Inspector vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 01/22/26 recruitment will close. (previous deadline 01/08/2026) All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit: 

  1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. 

• Week of 01/12 and 01/19/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 01/30/26.
• Week of 02/02 and/or 02/09/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates.  The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.  

(May include, but are not limited to the following):

• Supervise building inspection function, organizing and managing staffing and workload, coordinating with city staff, maintaining thorough, accurate and timely service delivery.
• Inspects all types of buildings and structures, including complex construction and development projects, using the current building standards codes and other related construction codes adopted by the City of Santa Cruz.
• Coordinates with applicants and inspects for compliance with the City of Santa Cruz Green Building Program; Proactive in the training, public outreach and continued development of the Green Building Program.
• Assists applicants whose projects do not conform to requirements, participating in the solution process of changes and modifications to bring the project into code compliance.
• Resolve project challenges and customer concerns.
• Reviews and makes recommendations of alternate means of construction.
• Reviews inspection policies and standard operating procedures, makes recommendations for improvements in efficiency and final work product.
• Provides assistance to plans examiners, maintaining consistent application of code provisions and advises on work assignments and challenges.
• Updates and maintains technical manuals, records and forms.
• Provides technical and functional administrative support to other city departments for building and energy projects.
• Provides technical information to the public on code and design requirements and on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures; answers inquiries from the public relating to regulations for building and housing construction, remodeling and repair, including structural, non-structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and other code related questions. 
• Responds to inspection requests, including emergency response, for initial field review for compliance with building standards codes and local building ordinances; prepares clear and concise reports, coordinates with other city departments and interested parties.
• Monitors and coordinates the full range of inspection services activities.
• Maintains records, prepares a variety of reports, and makes estimates of a specialized nature in connection with various building projects. 
• Investigate work without permit, substandard dwellings, dangerous buildings; coordinate with public, code and police authorities to bring about appropriate action.
• Performs minor plan reviews and coordinates permit issuance and public counter support, as needed, for all types of construction projects. 
• Assists in court actions involving building, housing, plumbing, electrical and related violations. 
• Inputs, accesses and analyzes data in the computer.  Proactive in the use and development of the city permit tracking system.
• Assists Building Official in division operations as assigned and may be called upon to act in the building official’s stead.
• Supervises and trains staff and participates in employee evaluations.  
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, crawling, bending, squatting, stooping and reaching in the performance of daily activities. The position may also work on slippery uneven surfaces, or climb on ladders or scaffolding. The position requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. The position also requires normal near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and in the performance of daily duties. Normal hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The incumbent may perform work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot and cold. The need to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or tested equivalent; and
  • Two (2) years of college with a building inspection/construction related field emphasis*, and
  • Five (5) years of experience as a journey level building inspector, of which three (3) should be as (equivalent to) a Senior Building Inspector with the City of Santa Cruz.

*Each year of experience in the construction, design, and/or inspection trades may be substituted for six months of relevant college coursework. 

Knowledge:

• Current building inspection methods and practices.
• All codes involved in construction, including Title 18 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code and the California Code of Regulations Title 24 Building Standards Codes; Building, Residential, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and others.
• Federal, state and municipal codes, regulations and standards governing housing and building construction, rehabilitation, alteration and use and occupancy.
• Effective use of the building standards codes.
• The principles, materials and methods used in building design and construction.
• Effective plan review and permit processing requirements and procedures.
• Blueprint reading and terminology used in building plans and specifications.
• The policies and procedures administered by the City of Santa Cruz.
• Safe work practices and procedures.
• Legal aspects involved in the administration of codes, ordinances and code enforcement.
• Data processing applications.
• Effective supervisor/management skills and abilities. 
• Correct English language usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Abilities:

• Review buildings, structures and systems for compliance with applicable building standards codes and ordinances, including the city green building program, being thorough and accurate.
• Effectively supervise building inspection services.
• Assess situations, use good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Read and interpret construction plans, notes, specifications and legal property descriptions and coordinate inspection requirements and process with applicants.
• Interpret, apply and explain established City policies, procedures and codes.
• Write clear and comprehensive reports and correspondence on administrative and technical issues.
• Proficiently navigate the codes, locating requirements and conducting associated research.
• Interpret, apply and explain complex governmental regulations with proficiency and tact.
• Establish and maintain accurate records; proficient in the city permit tracking system.
• Understand complex mathematical formulas and complete structural load and stress analysis using recognized standards.
• Set priorities, meet deadlines and make sound decisions.
• Communicate in a courteous and effective manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public including property owners, contractors, architects and engineers.
• Evaluate, train and mentor staff.
• Physical ability to conduct inspection and plan review activities, including ability to bend, stoop, crawl, climb and lift as required for the position (as determined by a pre-employment physical exam).
• Demonstrate an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective customer service attitude.
• Work well independently as well as foster a team approach to public service.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver’s license. 
• Possession and continued maintenance of the following certifications*;
  • International Code Conference (ICC) Building Inspector, and at least three (3), unrelated by trade, ICC commercial certifications from the following;
    • Electrical Plans Examiner
    • Mechanical Plans Examiner
    • Plumbing Plans Examiner
    • Electrical Inspector
    • Mechanical Inspector
    • Plumbing Inspector
    • or State CASp Certification; Certified Access Specialist 

*Other equivalent certification combinations may be considered acceptable upon approval by the Building Official.

• Chief Building Official
• Deputy Building Official
• Supervising Building Inspector
• Senior Building Inspector
• Building Inspector

Salary : $102,396 - $144,096