Public Works Inspector

Public Works Inspector

Salary

$82,644.00 - $111,156.00 Annually

Location

City of Palm Springs, CA

Job Type

Full Time - Regular

Job Number

Engineering Services - 0926

Department

Engineering Services

Opening Date

11/05/2026

Closing Date

11/19/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The City of Palm Springs is excited to announce the opportunity for the position of Public Works Inspector!

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are made at the range minimum

THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there's always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.

THE POSITION: This position is a member of the Engineering Services Department and performs detailed inspections of all public and private public works construction projects; ensures conformance with City standard specifications and safety standards; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Examples of Essential and General Responsibilities

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform a variety of detailed inspections and dust control oversight on private and public engineering projects; produce accurate and technical mathematical computations regarding inspection findings.
• Obtain a variety of field measurements during inspections; prepare topographical surveys, sketches and drawings for the design of City projects.
• Inspect all public and private public works construction projects including State, Riverside County Flood Control and utility agencies in the right-of-way; ensure conformance with City standard specifications and safety standards.
• Prepare and review detailed logs and reports of all public works construction.
• Coordinate and schedule the work of contractors and developers; insure public works projects will run smoothly.
• Observe work in the field during progress and upon completion; confer with developers, contractors, superintendents, inspectors and owners; ensure that safety procedures are followed.
• Prepare and review detailed logs and reports of all public and private public works construction projects; submit and fill out various contract paperwork.
• Assist on special projects as assigned.
• Perform surveying duties as required.
• Respond to emergencies including floods, oil spills, dust storms road closures, power outages and other related incidents.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience

• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible public works or engineering inspection experience is required. (Required experience may include private or public sector experience.)
• Five (5) years field inspection experience is preferred.
• Inspection experience working for a public sector agency is preferred.

Training

• High School Diploma or equivalent education is required.
• Specialized training in public works or engineering inspection or a related field is preferred.

License or Certificates

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five years) is required.
• Possession of an American Construction Inspection Association certificate related to the position is preferred.
• Possession of a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Practitioner (QSP) certificate is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Incumbent will be enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.

• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation, and physical and drug screen.

Working Conditions:

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an office and field environment; travels from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, radiant energy, moving objects and vehicles; inclement weather conditions; work on slippery or uneven surfaces and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for driving, walking or standing for prolonged periods; light lifting and carrying.

Application and Exam Information

A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications.

Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.

The selection process - for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam and department interview. Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.

For more information on completing your application materials click here.

If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:

The City of Palm Springs

3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, CA 92262

www.palmspringsca.gov

760-323-8215

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm, November 19, 2026, in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
• Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Retirement Plan through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.
• The City does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution for all regular positions.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to further evaluate your experience and education to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from the information included in the Work Experience and Education sections of your application?

• Yes
• No

02

If any of the position(s) you listed in the "Employment Section" of the application were with a federal, state, or local government employer whose salary is public record, please provide the following for each position: (1) Agency Name, (2) Position Held, and (3) Your Last Monthly and/or Annual Salary Amounts.

03

Do you have the required High School diploma or equivalent education?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have the required 2 years of increasingly responsible public works or engineering inspection experience? (Required experience may include private or public sector experience.)

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of public works or engineering inspection experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 2 years
• Between 2 and 5 years
• More than 5 years

06

Please tell us which areas of public works and engineering inspection you have experience in. Check all that apply.

• Public Works Inspection
• Engineering Inspection
• Other
• None

07

Please describe your public works or engineering inspection experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none"

08

Do you have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record?

• Yes, I have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record
• No, but I am able to obtain and have the ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record by the time of appointment
• No

09

Do you have the preferred specialized training in public works or engineering inspection or a related field?

• Yes
• No

10

Please describe your specialized training in public works or engineering inspection or a related field and where you gained that training. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none

11

Please select the activities you have experience in. Select all that apply.

• Reading and interpreting construction plans and specifications
• Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, codes, ordinances and policies governing the construction of public works projects
• Enforcing regulations
• Operating testing and inspection equipment
• Preparing clear and concise reports
• Preparing topographical surveys, sketches and drawings
• Coordinating and scheduling work of contractors and developers
• None of the above

12

Do you have the preferred 5 years of field inspection experience?

• Yes
• No

13

Please describe you field inspection experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none"

14

Which of the following types of inspections have you performed? Select all that apply.

• Dust control projects
• Flood control projects
• Street improvement projects
• Grading projects
• Paving projects
• None of the above

15

Do you have the preferred public works inspection experience in a public agency?

• Yes
• No

16

Please indicate the type(s) of public sector agency(s) where you have gained the preferred public works inspection experience. Check all that apply.

• City Government
• County Government
• State Government
• School District
• Law Enforcement
• Special District
• Other Public Sector Agency
• I Have No Public Sector Experience

17

Do you have the preferred American Construction Inspection Association certificate?

• Yes
• No

18

Which of the preferred American Construction Inspection Association certificates do you have? Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none"

19

Do you have the preferred Qualified Storm Water Pollution Practitioner (QSP) certificate?

• Yes
• No

20

Please list any other certifications you hold that would pertain to this position. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none"

Required Question

Employer City of Palm Springs

Address 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, California, 92262

Phone 760-323-8215

Website http://www.palmspringsca.gov