Building Inspector- Electrical

Salary : $158,175.68 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-N06-A
Department: Department of Planning and Development Services
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 08

Description

Under general supervision, to inspect the construction or alteration of buildings and structures and installation of equipment for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.

The Building Inspection Division has an immediate opening for a Building Inspector with an electrical trade background. This class is responsible for performing electrical inspections and/or plan review and related energy code reviews. A successful candidate should have familiarity with local, state and federal laws related to building inspection and permitting, the California Building Standards Code and building inspection office processes and have experience in electrical and energy code plan review and inspection process. Extensive experience in permitting, plan checking, inspecting and training staff in solar photovoltaic systems, high voltage electrical system, and California Energy Code requirements is highly desirable.
Typical Tasks

• Inspects buildings and structures to ensure that construction, alteration, or equipment installation conforms to applicable codes, ordinances, plans, specifications, and standards, including compliance issues such as State accessibility, energy, and seismic regulations;

• Inspects structures to determine hazardous conditions, code violations, structural failures, or need for maintenance or repair;

• Performs surveys of, but not limited to, the following: pool sites, fire damage, substandard housing, and unsafe structures;

• Looks for construction or alteration activity being performed without proper permits and verifies current permits are within the scope of work as permitted;

• Issues Stop Work Orders and correction notices regarding situations of deliberate or negligent noncompliance with State, local, and county building codes and ordinances;

• Provides information to builders and others regarding requirements of applicable codes and ordinances;

• Stays abreast of current codes and compliance issues (such as State accessibility, energy, and seismic regulations);

• Performs investigations of alleged building violations and substandard housing, determines nature and extent of any violations, provides general assistance to property owners or builders regarding action to correct violation and compiles case files, thorough reports, photos, and related documents;

• Reviews special inspection and engineering field reports and recommendations and ensures project compliance;

• Performs plan checks on swimming pools, minor construction, and trade-related projects;

• Issues permits and collects fees;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma;
and
Four (4) years of full-time journey level experience in the trade discipline (Carpentry, Electrical, or Plumbing) specified in the job posting;
or
Two (2) years of full-time experience performing building inspections for a public agency. The experience may be in any combination of trade disciplines (Carpentry, Electrical, or Plumbing).
Special Requirements

• Must obtain required certification per State of California Business and Professions Code within the second year of employment, and maintain certification throughout the term of employment. Maintenance of certification requires a minimum of 45 hours of continued education within each three-year period after original certification.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable codes, ordinances, and methods of construction and equipment installation applicable to the trade discipline specified in the job posting;

• Building materials, means of construction, and equipment installations;

• Inspection methods and legal procedures involved in the enforcement of building codes and ordinances;

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Understand and interpret codes and ordinances;

• Read and interpret plans and specifications;

• Make inspections, enforce regulations, and detect deviations from approved plans and specifications;

• Deal tactfully and effectively with building contractors, trades workers, and the general public;

• Communicate effectively in, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, representatives of other agencies.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Do you possess a certification from a recognized state, national or international association in the trade area of Electrical? Please Note: These must be listed in the "Certificates and Licenses" section of your job application.

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide the certification type, number, and expiration date. If you answered "no," please type "N/A."
05

Have you completed a recognized apprenticeship program in the electrical trade? (If you select "yes," please attach certification of completion.)

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, indicate where you obtained your apprenticeship training. Please include name of company/school, location, and length of program. If not applicable, type "N/A."
07

Do you possess full-time journey level experience in any of the following disciplines?

• Structural Engineering
• Carpentry
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• None of the above

08

For any of the selections made in the previous question, please describe your experience in detail.Include the name of your employer(s), year(s) worked, job title(s), dates worked, hours worked per week, and a detailed description of the duties performed. If no experience, indicate N/A.
09

How many years of experience do you possess performing building inspections for a public agency (the experience may be in any combination of trade disciplines of carpentry, electrical, or plumbing)?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

10

Please describe your experience performing building inspections for a public agency (the experience may be in any combination of trade disciplines of carpentry, electrical, or plumbing). Be detailed and specific and include the name of your employer(s), job title(s), dates worked, hours worked per week, and a detailed description of duties performed. If no experience, indicate N/A.
11

How many years of journey-level experience do you possess in the electrical trade?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

12

Please describe your journey-level experience in the electrical trade. Please be detailed and specific in your response and include name of employer(s), job title(s), length of employment, number of hours worked per week, and duties performed. If none, type "N/A."
13

Please describe your experience inspecting structures to determine hazardous conditions, code violations, structural failures, or the need for maintenance and repair. Please include your experience investigating substandard housing or alleged building violations and describe the documentation used to investigate and document the building code violation case(s). Be detailed and specific and include the name of your employer(s), dates worked, and hours worked per week. If no experience, indicate N/A.
14

Describe your experience performing commercial electrical inspections and plan preparation and/or checking functions. Please be detailed and specific in your response and include name of employer(s), job title(s), length of employment, number of hours worked per week, duties performed, and types of projects involved. If none, type "N/A."
15

Describe your experience performing electrical and/or energy code plan review for commercial projects and include a description and size of major projects reviewed. Please be detailed and specific in your response and include name of employer(s), job title(s), length of employment, number of hours worked per week, and duties performed
16

Describe your experience in performing inspections based on the California building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes. Include ordinances that you've enforced during these inspections. Please include name of employer(s), job title(s), length of employment, number of hours worked per week, and duties performed. If none, type "N/A."
17

How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

• County Employee
• Friend or Family (not County Employee)
• Paper Flyer / Announcement
• County of Santa Clara email
• GovernmentJobs.com
• CareersInGovernment.com
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Job Fair
• Professional Association or Affiliation
• Email Notification
• Text Message Notification
• Dice
• Twitter
• Monster Jobs
• School Career Center or Handshake

18

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type n/a.
Required Question