Principal Construction Inspector
About the role
The Principal Construction Inspector serves as a high-level expert on fieldwork for the largest and most complex campus construction projects. They provide a leadership role for the team, mentoring lower-level inspectors and overseeing their work. The incumbent directly supervises subordinate inspectors and represents and fills in for the Campus Inspector when required. They act as the lead field project manager, performing code compliance inspections at the highest level, lending high-level expertise with highly complex projects, and assisting certified building officials with certificates of occupancy, substantial completion, and beneficial occupancy documents.
Responsibilities
Team Leadership: Represents the Campus Inspector and the team in meetings, committees, and collaborative efforts with internal and external stakeholders. Fills in for the Campus Inspector when required. Provides leadership and strategic direction to staff, aligning unit objectives with departmental and organizational goals. Promotes a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and respect within the team. Encourages innovation and initiative by creating opportunities for staff input and problem-solving. Provides technical guidance and subject-matter expertise to staff performing specialized or complex tasks. Supports onboarding and training of new employees by explaining functional processes and expectations.
Staff Supervision: Reviews work of subordinate staff for technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established policies and best practices. Establishes clear priorities, communicates expectations, and ensures accountability and compliance with institutional policies, regulations, and ethical standards. Coordinates scheduling, workload distribution, and coverage to meet organizational needs. Provides ongoing supervision, guidance, and coaching to staff to enhance individual and team performance. Conducts regular performance evaluations, setting measurable goals and development plans. Identifies training needs and coordinates professional development opportunities for staff. Recognizes and rewards high performance, fostering motivation and engagement. Addresses performance issues promptly and constructively, following HR and organizational procedures.
Construction Inspection and Quality Assurance: Leads activities around inspection of building construction for compliance with plans and specifications, applicable building codes, and quality installation practices in compliance with laws and regulations. Reads and interprets plans, maps, and specifications; prepares and provides daily or weekly progress reports. Maintains field inspection files, including testing logs, inspection reports, and construction progress photographs. Provides information for field and change orders. Confirms accuracy of as-built drawings, provides estimates and recommendations for progress payments, and participates in building commissioning, which includes conducting preliminary and final inspections before acceptance of completed projects. Ensures compliance with all applicable codes, plans, and specifications, campus standards, and acts in the capacity of deputy to the Director of Inspection Services and the campus, medical center, or other University Building Official. Drives a University vehicle to construction sites on and off-campus to monitor the project to ensure safety procedures are being followed in conformance with contract requirements.
Construction Coordination and Support Services: Leads construction work by providing liaison with project managers, campus clients, design professionals, contractors, and campus maintenance staff as appropriate. Coordinates and schedules construction affecting University utilities and operations. Reviews and advises on construction techniques and project schedule during project planning stages. Obtains and maintains comprehensive information on construction processes, trade practices, and building codes. Leads, coordinates, supports, and schedules inspections with stakeholders, including the State or Local Fire Marshall inspections with the contractor. Establishes which portions of the work must be inspected prior to being covered and which portions of the work will require an express request for inspection from the contractor. Schedules construction-related utility shutdowns in conjunction with affected campus departments. Participates in meetings with the Campus Inspector, Project Manager, and Contractor to discuss project status, experiences, and best practices.
Documentation: Monitors construction progress of architectural, structural, MEP, and civil systems. Prepares daily electronic inspection, equipment, and manpower count documentation, videos, photos, and memos to document construction activities reports and weekly summaries of work performed. Reviews estimates of work progress and recommends approval of progress payments for contractors' work. Leads plan check and permit issuance. Reviews documents prior to issuance, such as beneficial occupancy, substantial completion, temporary certificates of occupancy, certificate of occupancy, etc. Leads with ADA code compliance. Reviews and inspects all building exterior access projects for compliance with all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, state and local requirements, and acts in coordination with the Access Compliance Officer to confirm alignment with the expectations of that office as applicable. Leads and assists with joint CBO and DFM code compliance interpretation and collaborations.
Administrative Services: Performs a variety of tasks associated with the campus capital building program. Assists with Balcony bill SB 721 support. Provides plan review for all plans and specifications within the area of technical expertise for all projects, including meeting and discussing findings, and working towards resolution with appropriate design professionals as required. Functions as a SAP Coordinator and works with EH&S.
Requirements
International Code Council (ICC), Division of the State Architect (DSA) Certification in one or more construction disciplines (Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Plan Reviews etc.).
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Four (4) years of field-related experience in building construction as a journey-level carpenter, electrician, plumber, site utilities, or equivalent experience; with (2) years as an inspector or superintendent of major construction work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Construction field experience, including contract administration. Experience in the construction industry at the inspection level; thorough knowledge of construction principles, practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of the California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes; Title 24 Energy and Accessibility Codes, including DSA regulations; Cal Green and SWPPS; including strong technical skills for the evaluation of building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, components and engineering issues.
Working knowledge of good building construction standards, materials, procedures, and practices required to manage a code compliance Section involved in inspection and enforcement activities for the construction, repair or alteration of new and existing residential and commercial structures, their additions, appendages, accessory structures and sites using applicable codes, Campus ordinances and laws.
Working knowledge of Laws and regulations related to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.
Skill to recognize proper construction techniques and to evaluate quality of workmanship. Ability to identify methods of improvement during construction and to recommend alternative approaches and solutions. Ability to problem-solve construction issues with contractor and project manager.
Ability to work flexible hours; ability to work weekends and nights to handle curtailments (utility shutdowns and inspections) of construction.
Skills
Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment, take initiative; work effectively as a team member.
Benefits
Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Full benefits.
Full-time, FixedPercentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week.
Days of the Week: Mon-Fri.
Shift Includes: Day.
Pay
Budgeted Salary: $125,000 - $135,000/year.
Schedule
Full-time, FixedPercentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week.
Days of the Week: Mon-Fri.
Shift Includes: Day.