Public Works Plans Examiner/ Inspector- Senior

Basic Function

Under the supervision of the Public Works Inspection Supervisor, independently administer and conduct all required inspection functions, review and comment on project plans and specifications for capital improvement projects to assure constructability, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. Review products and materials submitted for these projects to assure compliance with contract specifications, plans and construction standards. Coordinate construction activities with city departments, other agencies, private utilities and general public. Conducts plan review of commercial and residential development projects and franchise utility projects, and their associated permit submittals for compliancy. Conducts Public Works related construction inspections for commercial and residential development projects and franchise utility projects. Provide guidance and training as needed to staff in Public Works Inspector position. Investigate and resolve complex complaints. Recognizes and alleviates threats to the City’s infrastructure or to public safety.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Senior Public Works Inspector is distinguished from the Public Works Inspector by its independent work and handling of larger and more complex commercial and residential permit submittal review and inspections requiring a thorough knowledge of inspection practices, and City of SeaTac ordinances and regulations with limited supervision. The Public Works Inspector shall advance to the Senior Public Works Inspector position upon completing a minimum of two years as a Public Works Inspector, completing specified skill standards and demonstrating the skills to independently handle a significant capital improvement project (in excess of $1.5 million) or equivalent as determined by the City Engineer.

Representative Duties

• Independently perform review large complex projects for constructability, suggest alternatives to reduce city construction risk and cost. Ensure adherence to contract documents, standards and codes.
• Review and provide specific conditions on permit applications for ROW construction and development related permits.
• Resolves, in the field, features of construction plans and specifications that are in conflict with existing features or will not work as designed. Requires field decisions to be made quickly so contractor’s work may proceed without delays.
• Interpret plans and specifications and deviations from specified construction procedures including identification of potential impacts from deviation, estimation of any associated cost, and evaluation of deviation’s effects on project budget and schedule.
• Perform construction project management tasks necessary to control costs through managing the contract budget through negotiating, measuring, calculating, preparing, and monitoring contract payments, directing force account work and change orders.
• Serve as first point of contact on major capital projects during construction phase; ensure adjacent property owners and businesses are notified of construction schedule and activities. Address resident and business concerns with construction activities.
• Serve as the city field liaison during construction; ensure adherence to contract documents, standards and codes.
• Conduct permit and project related construction inspections on Public Works capital improvement projects and development permits for compliance with federal, state, and local codes and specifications. Conducting inspections for proper use and placement of traffic control devices to assure compliancy with MUTCD guidelines and conducts inspections and enforces compliance relating to NPDES permits.
• Inspect field samples of construction materials to ensure compliance with contract specifications, plans and construction standards associated with both Capital Improvement and development projects and resolve deficiencies and errors in the materials and services with contractors, manufactures and suppliers.
• Accurately document inspection observations, correction notices, field notes, pay estimates, as-builts, and related documents to create concise project and/or permit records.
• Investigate and resolve citizen complaints and roadway/storm drainage issues. Analyze and recommend the appropriate action to take. Prepare inspection reports as required.
• Prepare periodic and final pay estimates and as-built drawings.
• Assist in the development of construction policies and procedures. Inform department management of construction project progress and other field activities.
• Coordinate construction activities with City departments, other agencies, private utilities and the general public.
• Assist with surveying for preliminary engineering and construction monitoring. Perform plan review for assigned projects and public utilities. Recognize constructability issues and resolve by reviewing and approving minor design changes.
• Operate a personal computer, surveying equipment and basic hand tools. Perform traffic flagging duties as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

E denotes an essential function of the job

Required Education and Experience

If promoted from Public Works Inspector: A minimum of two (2) years of experience as a project inspector or equivalent. Demonstrated skills to independently handle a significant capital improvement or development project (in excess of $1.5 million contract), or equivalent as determined by the City Engineer.

• Complete field reports according to grant requirements.
• Resolve minor utility problems and other issues with business and property owners to the mutual satisfaction of the party and City.
• Demonstrated proficient use of the permit tracking software system.

Knowledge

• City organization, operations, policies and objectives
• Civil engineering principles, practices and methods applicable to Public Works construction.
• Applicable laws, standards, and regulations relating to construction, inspection, safety and traffic control.
• Public Works inspection methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of construction management skills and techniques involving budget management, project coordination, submittal review, evaluation and approval, project status reports.
• Cost Estimating preparation.
• Land surveying practices, techniques and principles.
• Reviewing of Engineering technical plans, specifications and blueprint interpretation.
• Knowledge of environmental requirements and regulations relating to public works construction.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and permit tracking software.

Skills

• Inspecting Public Works projects in progress and testing field samples of construction materials to ensure compliance with contract specifications, plans and construction standards.
• Reviewing and interpreting complex construction drawings, plans, and specifications for assigned projects and public utilities.
• Performing required mathematical computations.
• Coordinating construction activities with City departments, other agencies, private utilities and the general public.
• Investigating and resolving citizen complaints.
• Exercising independent decision making to analyze and resolve technical issues and to enforce standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability To

• Prepare, organize and maintain inspection data and reports.
• Work independently under limited supervision.
• Follow established methods, procedures and practices.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Prepare as built drawings, field notes and reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Negotiate and problem solve with contractors, developers, property owners, employees, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, and the general public.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Following safe and legal driving practices.
• Utilizing customer service skills to address complaints.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License required by date of appointment.
• A satisfactory three-year driving abstract record, submitted prior to hire.
• Valid Washington State Traffic Control Flagger card (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire).
• Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector certification within eighteen months of hire.
• Certified Erosion Control and Sediment Control Lead within six months of hire.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification within twelve months of hire.

Benefits

The City of SeaTac offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to all eligible employees. These benefits include the following:

Medical Benefits/Life Insurance

• Regence Medical Insurance: choice of a copay or High Deductible Plan with option of a Health Savings Account
• Kaiser Permanente with a Deductible
• Choice of Delta Dental of Washington or Willamette Dental Group for Employer Paid Dental Plans
• VSP is Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance with the Hartford Insurance Company
• Employer Paid Long Term Disability with Standard Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program with Compsych

Retirement: Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS); employee and employer contribute to the plan.

Social Security Replacement: The City contributes 5.058% to the 401a Social Security Replacement Plan with MissionSquare 401a. Employee contributes 6.2%.

Deferred Compensation: Employees have the option of contributing to an MissionSquare 457 plan.

Paid Leave

• Accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month
• Accrue 8 hours of vacation leave per month
• 11 paid holidays; 2 floating holidays per year
• Management leave for exempt personnel

Tuition Reimbursement: employees are eligible to participate after completion of their probationary period.

Wellness Program: Fun and engaging wellness activities to encourage a healthy work place.

Commuter Trip Reduction Program: The City provides incentives to reduce single occupancy vehicle commute, and provides a monthly pass up to $100 to cover transit needs.