ENGINEERING INSPECTOR

ENGINEERING INSPECTOR

Salary

$79,215.49 - $109,619.65 Annually

Location

San Marcos, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026 - 68

Department

Development Services

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/26/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The City of San Marcos Construction Management Division of the Development Services Department is excited to offer a great full-time Engineering Inspector position! Dont delay - apply today!

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a qualified candidate with experience in public works inspection who can effectively oversee and inspect construction activities associated with private land development and capital improvement projects. Under general supervision, the ideal candidate will have experience inspecting grading, street and drainage improvements, concrete structures, general surface improvements, stormwater pollution prevention practices, and other public works construction. This position is responsible for ensuring construction is performed in accordance with approved plans, specifications, applicable standards, and contract requirements.

THE RIGHT PERKS

The Engineering Inspector position offers an outstanding benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary
• 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off
• Employer-paid medical premiums at 90%
• Dental and vision benefits
• Fourteen paid holidays annually
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• Participation in the CalPERS retirement system
• Social Security participation
• Tuition reimbursement program, which may also be used toward eligible student loan payments

Please review the Benefits tab for complete details regarding the Citys benefits package.

Application Period Closes: 4:00pm, October 26, 2026

First Interview: November 5, 2026

Second Interview: November 16, 2026

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Inspects the construction methods and materials used in the construction of Public Works improvements; inspects Public Works improvements such as streets grading, structural sections, asphalt and concrete pavements, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting, related traffic signal construction, retaining walls, inlets, cleanouts, storm drain systems, outlets, basins, post construction BMPs (per TCBMP), dissipaters, pipe, trench excavations, backfill, and various conduits.

Inspects new construction and construction within existing improvements; inspects and ensures traffic control setups comply with approved traffic control plans; also inspects work related to right-of-way and encroachment permits.

Reviews and interprets construction plans and specifications; interacts with contractors on interpretation and requirements of plans and specifications; consults with supervisor and/or design engineer on interpretations, deviations, and changes.

Reports, records, and documents inspections, observations, and conditions found during the inspection process for Capital Improvement and Private Development Projects; measures items of work and prepares working documents related to Capital Improvement Project construction and contract administration such as daily reports, weekly statement of working days, quantity sheets, employee interview forms, etc.

Prepares daily reports, SWPPP and progress payment applications and maintains project files.

Obtains, reviews, and files documents related to construction such as soils reports, materials testing results, survey documents, delivery tickets, etc.

Coordinates the timing of work performed by City consultants, such as soils engineering and survey parties, to the progress of construction; examines conditions existing within rights-of-way.

Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Approved street construction methods and materials; approved drainage system construction methods and materials; survey party techniques of setting line and grade; compressive strength values of earth and aggregates; methods and materials of underground construction and safety requirements; and basic formulas for converting material volumes to weight and other units of measure; knowledge of proper traffic control implementation and requirements; understands ADA standards and specifications.

Ability to:

Read and interpret public works construction plans, SWPPPs, traffic control plans, grade sheets and specifications, apply proper inspection techniques to obtain specified construction defined by City requirements and contract award documents; gauge grades and mixes of asphaltic and cement concrete construction materials; estimate quantities; make accurate arithmetical calculations; utilize in the field wireless technology and desktop technologies for updates, reports and communications; proficiency with modern office technologies including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with City employees, contractors, utilities and members of the public; enforce requirements with firmness and tact; and demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training

Education equivalent to graduation from high school. Additional education and certifications in areas related to Public Works construction methods, techniques, quality control and management are highly desirable.

Experience

Three (3) to Five (5) years of Public Works inspection Experience OR Five (5) to Ten (10) years of Public Works Construction experience in related fields which enables the employee to successfully perform the duties outlined above.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of an appropriate, valid drivers license with satisfactory driving record.

Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) certificate must be obtained within 18 months of appointment.

Holidays - The City observes fourteen (14) paid holidays that include eleven (11) specifically designated days and three (3) floating holidays.

Vacation Leave - A new employee will accrue eighty (80) hours of vacation per calendar year for the first two years of service, one hundred, twenty (120) hours for years three through five, one hundred, sixty (160) hours for years six through ten and two hundred (200) hours after eleven years. Vacation accrual begins immediately; however, a new employee is not eligible to take vacation leave until the completion of six (6) months of service with the City.

Executive Leave - Executive managers receive eighty (80) hours of executive leave per year.

Auto and cell phone allowance - Executive managers receive $396 per month for auto allowance and $75 per month for cell phone allowance, or the option to receive a City cell phone.

Sick Leave - A new employee will earn ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave each year.

Bereavement Leave - Employees are eligible to use up to 40 hours of bereavement leave per fiscal year.

Group Health Insurance Program - A new employee will become a member of one of the Citys group health plans (Aetna HMO, Aetna WHN, Aetna PPO, or Kaiser HMO) effective the first day of the month following their date of hire. The City will pay 90% of the health care premium and employees will pick up 10% of the premiums of the plan they select.

Voluntary Dental/Vision Insurance Programs - The City offers two voluntary dental insurance programs, an HMO program and a PPO Program, as well as a voluntary vision insurance program.

Section 125 Flexible Spending Account - All employees are eligible to participate in the Citys Section 125 Flexible Spending Account plan administered by Benefit Coordinators Corporation (BCC). This is an IRS-approved plan which enables you to have withheld from your paycheck an amount to cover eligible dependent care, and certain eligible medical expenses without being subject to federal income or social security tax on the income used to pay for these benefits.

Retirement - The City participates in both the Social Security (FICA) and the California Public Employees Retirement Systems (CalPERS). The City currently contracts with CalPERS for the 2% at 55 benefit formula, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for CLASSIC members and 2% at 62, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for PEPRA (new) members. Employees will contribute 7% or 6.5% towards CalPERS, depending whether a classic or new member.

Retiree Health Savings (RHS) - All employees participate in a Retiree Health Savings plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation.

Additional Benefits - The City offers additional benefits such as short and long-term disability, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and workers compensation insurance.

01

Please select from the choices below the amount of verifiable experience you have in the Public Works Construction field.

• I have 0 years of experience in Public Works Construction
• I have 1-3 years of experience in Public Works Construction
• I have 3-5 years of experience in Public Works Construction
• I have more than 5 years of experience in Public Works Construction

02

The educational requirement for this position is a verifiable education equivalent to the completion of high school. Do you meet this verifiable requirement?

• Yes
• No

03

The possession of an appropriate, valid drivers license with a satisfactory driving record is required for this position. Do you meet this verifiable requirement?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have direct geotechnical/soils inspection experience? If yes, your application must reflect that work experience.

• Yes
• No

05

Please describe your experience inspecting public works construction for private land development and/or capital improvement projects. Please be sure to list project names, duties and length of assignment in your response.

06

Describe your work experience with grading activities, traffic control, water quality, erosion control, paving and storm drain inspection. Please list specific project names, duties and length of assignment.

07

Do you have experience in preparing field notes and reports, maintaining documentation and records, and preparing punch lists for ongoing inspection, construction, and contractor work? Describe your level of comfort and expertise in the Microsoft Office Suite to perform these activities; specifically with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Excel.

08

Additional education and certifications in areas related to Public Works construction methods, techniques, quality control and management are highly desirable. Please describe below any additional education or certificates that you may possess that would enhance your understanding and experience in the Public Works Construction field. Please include certifications, training, formal education, seminars, etc. (Ex. Association of Construction Inspectors (ACI) or American Public Works Association (APWA) Public Works Inspection Certification as a Public Works Inspector)

Required Question

Employer City of San Marcos

Address 1 Civic Center Dr.

San Marcos, California, 92069

Phone 760-744-1050

Website http://www.sanmarcosca.gov