Senior Building Inspector - Promotional

Senior Building Inspector - Promotional

Salary

$108,300.66 - $131,613.79 Annually

Location

Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26/09-1407-DP

Department

Permit Sonoma (PRD)

Opening Date

09/17/2026

Closing Date

9/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

05

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Information

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full- or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee in order to apply for this position.

Permit Sonoma has requested a department promotional certification to fill a Senior Building Inspector position. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary Permit Sonoma employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

Senior Building Inspectors work within an assigned geographical area, performing a variety of building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, floodplain, and fire and life safety visual inspections. Building upon their inspection experience, Senior Building Inspectors conduct research and check building plans and layouts for conformance with building codes, County ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures. Senior Building Inspectors also manage special inspection programs and perform the most complex and difficult combinations of large and small, commercial and residential, structural inspections. Additionally, using their advanced knowledge of building codes, County ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures, they analyze code disputes, clarify code interpretations, advise staff on non-routine plans and inspections, and coordinate daily route assignments.

The ideal candidate has extensive, in-depth knowledge of current model codes, a drive to engage others to work together towards a common goal, and experience:

• Assisting and training staff on how to issue permits for construction improvements and effectively apply provisions of the California Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical codes; Fire Safe Standards; and related State and County codes and ordinances
• Conducting onsite inspections of existing buildings and structures, ensuring safe occupancy, determining substandard and/or hazardous conditions, fire damage, structural failures, and the need for maintenance or repair
• Clarifying and interpreting code disputes to seek compliance from architects, engineers, and designers during various building stages
• Exercising excellent judgment and a common-sense approach to addressing challenging customer service situations
• Reviewing plans and specifications, identifying any construction that deviated from expectations
• Successfully interacting with a diverse customer base
• Working well in a fast-paced/high-volume work environment

Additionally, possession of certification as a combination inspector or certificates in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical inspection is required.

Work Environment

This is a year-round position that works indoors and outdoors, during all types of weather conditions. Typically, Senior Building Inspectors work a rotating monthly schedule, starting at 6:30-3:00 when handling scheduling duties and 7:30-4:00 when not. They also participate in a rotating standby schedule, providing coverage on weekends and holidays.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, a minimum of two years of experience as a building inspector in a governmental agency utilizing the California Building Code.

Education: High school graduation and recent academic course work relating to the knowledge and abilities listed is required.

Licenses & Certifications: Possession of certification as a combination inspector or certificates in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical inspection are required. Possession of a valid drivers license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised in this announcement requires possession of a valid State of California Class C Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: the general and specific provisions of the California Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical codes, Fire Safe Standards and related State and County codes and ordinances; modern building and construction materials and their quality as it relates to State and County codes and ordinances, and of tools, practices and techniques used in the various building and construction trades; the use of electronic information equipment and specific systems as used within the department.

Knowledge of: the departmental and county procedures in pursuing an orderly building abatement process, the upgrading of potential or existing hazardous building or structural conditions and for providing technical assistance to upgrade substandard conditions under State and County codes and ordinances.

Ability to: effectively and accurately interpret construction documents; write and speak clearly and concisely for the purpose of instructions and reports; make visual inspections, detect deviations from approved plans, specifications and to secure compliance and enforce State and County codes and ordinances; visually detect substandard building and construction materials, work and conditions; understand and verbally or visually interpret and clarify specific State and County codes and ordinance requirements; establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, the public and other agencies; utilize electronic information systems and analyze and interpret such information; serves as first-line public contact for dispute resolution.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicants application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate's personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant's name, former last name, address, phone number, email, drivers license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted in person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: CG

HR Technician: VH

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

• Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01

Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid State of California Class C driver's license by date of hire?

• Yes
• No

02

Possession of certification as a combination inspector and/or certificates in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical inspection is required. Which of the following do you possess?

• I possess a certification as a Combination Inspector.
• I possess certifications in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Inspection.
• I do not possess these certificates.

03

For this question and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.

Please describe your relevant training and experience equivalent to or more than two years of experience serving as a building inspector in a governmental agency using the California Building Code.

• List any additional certifications you possess and the names of relevant course(s)/training(s) you completed
• For each position you have held, include the job title, employers name, employment dates (mm/yy - mm/yy), and a description of your primary duties

04

Please provide an example of your experience working on a complex inspection, involving multiple inspections and a contractor who was non-compliant with correction notices. Define the situation, your approach to gaining compliance, and the outcome of the situation.

05

Please describe your experience leading, training, or serving as a subject matter expert for other inspectors. Provide an example of a specific situation you took lead on and describe the situation, your approach to addressing it, and the outcome of the conversation.

Required Question

Employer County of Sonoma (CA)

Address 575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B

Santa Rosa, California, 95403

Phone (707) 565-2331

Website http://www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org