Public Works Construction Inspector

The position opens Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and the final filing date is Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

The City of Sunnyvale is actively seeking a highly energetic, skilled, and motivated individual to join a well-established municipality as a Regular, Full-Time Public Works Construction Inspector to perform quality assurance inspections for capital improvement projects. This position will report to the Senior Engineer and management. These projects include but are not limited to construction of new streetscape, roadway rehabilitation, water, storm and sewer systems, park improvements, facility renovations, new buildings and traffic systems.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for excellence, a commitment to serving the community and have outstanding interpersonal skills. Other skills the City is looking for include; excellent oral and written communication; strong leadership; ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships; and the ability to collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders. This position will be responsible for physical on-site observation, documentation and inspection for compliance with City standards, approved plans and specifications, construction and safety practices.

City of Sunnyvale Benefits:

• CalPERS retirement pension
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retiree medical benefit
• 11 paid Holidays
• 30 hours* of Floating Holidays (*Prorated based on date of hire)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals
• Employee Wellness Programs
• And MORE!

Under general supervision of the Senior Engineer, performs quality assurance inspections of construction projects to ensure compliance with City standards, approved plans and specification, construction and safety practices; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

The position of Public Works Construction Inspector is a fully qualified technical classification. This classification differs from the higher-level classification of Senior Construction Inspector/Coordinator in that the Senior Construction Inspector/Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the work of the inspection staff and assisting with Project Administration Section functions, including working with contractors. The incumbent may serve as project coordinator on major City projects.

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

• Conducts on-site inspections at all phases of construction to comply with approved plans and specifications and City standards and safety standards, and that proper materials are being used and installed correctly.
• Maintains records and working files, and prepares oral and written reports of work performed.
• Monitors progress of construction work, contracts and schedules.
• Take samples of materials for examination or analysis by laboratories.
• Perform routine materials and field tests to ensure material/workmanship quality.
• Conducts safety inspections and reviews established traffic control procedures for compliance within construction zones.
• Prepares cost estimates, when required.
• Documents constructed quantities and reviews contractors' requests for progress payments.
• Assists the construction engineer in closing out construction projects. 
• Assists and follows up on warranty request work. 
• Performs constructability reviews of plans and specifications. 
• Assists in analyses of selected contractor claims, when required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. The position also requires near and far vision when performing tasks such as field inspections, in reading written reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag, carry and push equipment, tools and supplies up to 50 pounds is also required. Additionally, when performing field inspections, the incumbent may be exposed to biohazards and work in a variety of working conditions, including mechanical and electrical hazards, loud noise, and inclement weather conditions, such as wet, heat and cold. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to climb ladders and steep slopes, and walk around construction worksites. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

Graduation from High School or the tested equivalent; AND

Four years of broad and varied experience in construction and inspection activities.

Knowledge of:

• Construction methods, standards and inspection techniques for a wide variety of public works projects.
• Contract administration practices, such as documentation, construction scheduling, reviewing force account work, processing of contract change orders, requests for information, and progress payments.
• Construction scheduling methods.
• Engineering testing practices.
• Traffic control and safety standards.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.

Ability to:

• Analyze and interpret complex construction plans, specifications, and blueprints.
• Maintain accurate and orderly records.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local rules, regulations and standards.
• Efficiently organize daily inspections.
• Create professional business correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other documentation.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with contractors while enforcing construction and safety standards.
• Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

Willingness to: 

Travel to various sites within the City to conduct inspections.
Work flexible hours on weekends or evenings as needed.

Licenses/Certificates: 

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS 

• An Associate's degree or higher with major coursework in engineering, mathematics.
• Experience with a public agency.
• Experience and/or certifications with sampling and testing of concrete, asphalt, soils and construction material.
• Experience and/or certifications with signal systems construction.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience. 

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources by Monday, July 13, 2026 at 5:00pm. 

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the in-person oral examination process scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-person selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of August 17, 2026.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

Salary : $49 - $63