The Position
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
The Department of Planning and Building is looking for fourteen (14) Specialty Combination Inspectors to support in planning review or inspections and code enforcement. If you have either completed an apprenticeship and have 2 years of experience as a Journey plumber, electrician, HVAC specialist, or carpenter, OR you have a bachelor's degree in civil, structural, mechanical, or electrical engineering or architecture we encourage you to apply!
Why join the City of Oakland Planning and Building Department? Would you like to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to ensuring a safe and healthy community for the City of Oakland? The Building staff includes a large number of experienced public servants who are looking for those with knowledge and skills in the construction industry that can contribute to maintaining and improving the built environment. We have numerous positions within the Residential, Commercial, and Code Enforcement Divisions that will enforce the adopted building and property maintenance codes. If you have specialized experience in a particular trade, or if you have a combined understanding of building codes and construction or experience with enforcing property and development requirements for local government and believe in providing quality service to the community, then we have a role for you on our team.
We are looking for someone who:
- Values public service and is willing to participate in making Oakland a safe and sustainable community
- Knows the importance of confirming that properties, built structures, and the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems within are safely installed
- Enjoys working with a diverse group of public servants to serve a diverse community
What you will typically be responsible for:- Conducting site visits, performing visual inspections of work performed and providing an inspection report noting the results
- Recording the inspection reports within the permit system software
Participating in code related discussions and recommending process improvements when needed
- Working with property owners and tenants to ensure living conditions are free of life/safety issues.
A few reasons you might love this job:
- You will be part of team that will support your professional growth
- You can contribute to the betterment of the community by upholding minimum health and safety requirements
- You will receive generous salary, employment benefits, and a work life balance
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You will be assigned inspections or site visits to confirm the work performed or existing conditions comply with adopted codes.
- You will need to communicate with fellow Inspectors and Supervisors in order to provide uniform and consistent service.
- You will need to communicate with contractors, property owners and residents informing them of code requirements.
Competencies Required:
Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
Mechanical Insight: Comprehending how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact
General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter expertise to the job
Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work product s
Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
*Read the complete job description by clicking the link below.
Specialty Combination Inspector
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
Minimum Requirements for Application
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Education:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:
Two (2) years of recent full-time journey level experience in the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or carpentry trade and completion of a recognized apprenticeship program in one or more of these disciplines. Five years of varied recent, full time journey level experience in the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or carpentry trade may be substituted for the apprenticeship program.
-OR-
Two (2) years of recent full-time experience as a Combination Dwelling Inspector.
-OR-
One (1) year experience as a Combination Inspector in a position comparable to that of the City of Oakland or a Specialty Inspector at the City of Oakland.
-OR-
A Bachelor's degree in civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering or architecture from an accredited college or university may be substituted for all experience requirements.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE / OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
One certification as an Inspector related to assigned job functions from a nationally or state recognized agency (such as IAPMO or ICC or IAEI) must be obtained within 12 months of appointment to this position, unless the appointee is otherwise exempted based on California Building Standards Code 18949.28. The Specialty Combination Inspector is required to maintain valid inspector certification throughout his or her employment with the City of Oakland. Failure to maintain this certificate may result in dismissal from employment.
Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.
Desirable Qualifications:
Experience in the building industry in either constructing, regulating or designing the work performed.
Knowledge of three (3) or more specific trades such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical or structural.
Education or certifications in building codes, architectural or construction management fields.
Training in building codes, property maintenance, construction trades, or technical classes related to structures and the systems within.
Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.
This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice once a sufficient number of applications have been received. Currently, the next review of applications is planned for the week of December 4, 2023.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas. Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications. In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to take an online multiple-choice test. You’ll have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. The next round of examination is currently scheduled for December 8, 2023 - December 15, 2023
. For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, supplemental screening, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What’s in it for you?
- Work/Life Balance: 40 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.
The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:
• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
