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Job Description
Description
The City of Palo Alto Public Works Department, Engineering Services Division is seeking a qualified individual for the role of Inspector Field Services to be a part of the Inspection and Surveying group. This position will be part of a team of six that is responsible for inspection in the public right-of-way for the City’s Capital Program and all private development projects, ensuring construction is in compliance with City standard details and specifications and approved plans. This position reports to the Supervisor Inspection & Surveying and works out of the Municipal Service Center. We are looking for a responsible candidate that is interested in challenging opportunities and contributing to the lifestyle of our local community through the valuable services that the Public Works Department strives to deliver.
IDEAL CANDIDATE- Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and terminology of inspection and civil engineering
- Knowledge of surveying and construction methods, materials testing and equipment
- Ability to determine quality, materials, and workmanship through inspection, and to determine compliance with specifications
- Ability to analyze and interpret data
- Ability to write and prepare clear and concise field reports
- Collaborative working style
- Strives to achieve results using a flexible, open approach to problem solving while remaining sensitive to people issues
- Communication and interpersonal skills to successfully interact with co-workers, supervisor, contractors, property owners and others
Essential Duties- Inspects activities of contractor to ensure that work done is in compliance with project plans and specifications, and in accordance with the approved schedule.
- Reviews plans and specifications for conformance to established standards for construction projects.
- Provides inspections for capital and maintenance work generated by the Utilities Department and Public Works Public Services Division.
- Inspects and monitors State, County, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and private utility projects under construction within the City limits.
- Consults with public and private engineers, contractors and sub-dividers regarding construction projects.
- Assists in the tabulation of quantity of work completed, cost estimates, and preparation of payments to Contractors.
- Ensures contractor's conformance to applicable safety regulations as well as City and State standard specifications.
- Recommends extra work orders and field contract changes.
- Assists in coordinating materials testing.
- Establishes and maintains working relations with property owners and the general public.
- Participates in surveying when required.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through:- Two years of college in civil engineering; and
- Two years experience in Public Works or Utility Construction. or
- High school graduate or GED; and
- Four years experience in Public Works or Utility Construction.
- Valid California Driver’s License and ability to maintain during employment
WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work in office and inspection site environments; exposure to dust and noise; some climbing, stooping, light lifting and inspecting in confined areas
Supplemental Information
These positions are represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU)
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 2/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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