Senior Construction Inspector

Ready to bring your construction inspection experience to the public sector? Join the City as we take on exciting new public works projectsyour expertise is exactly what we need!

At the City of Bellingham, the Senior Construction Inspector performs complete field inspections of major capital construction including WSDOT and Federal Aid projects and subdivisions to ensure compliance with specifications and standards; initiates field engineering changes; serves as lead worker on major inspection projects.

Salary Information and Benefits:

This position will start at Step 1 ( $38.36/hr ). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $38.36 - $46.99. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Heres a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can and

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Mon, August 11,2025 at 8:30 AM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

1. Observes work in progress on major construction projects and ensures procedures and materials used are within specified standards; interprets plans and specifications for contractors; recommends and/or approves field design changes; advises contractor if work performed or materials used do not meet applicable codes and/or contract; orders suspension of work and removal of defective material, as needed.
2. Records daily progress of capital improvement projects and subdivisions, and photographs project to maintain pictorial evidence. Measures project to facilitate making "as built" drawings for permanent records; provides information and resolves problems with the contractor, City staff, and citizens. Provides all field engineering data to the construction engineers.
3. Develops and implements engineered field solutions where project designs are not compatible with existing field conditions; in consultation the Project Engineers, coordinates change orders and controls and authorizes additional costs to the project.
4. Records quantities received and used during specific project phases; measures distances, thicknesses, and widths; verifies grades, alignments and elevations on construction project; prepares documents, records and pictures for possible legal use; prepares pay estimates for completion of project phases. Maintains Records of Material (ROM) and associated paperwork for Federal Funding audits.
5. Organizes tests on wet and cured concrete, asphalt materials, bank run gravel, crushed rock and other embankment materials. Collects water samples and conducts preliminary testing; performs pressure testing for water, sewer and storm lines. Inspects sewer and water pump stations, steel structures, bridges, street light systems, and traffic control systems during construction and for final acceptance.
6. Informs supervisor and project engineer(s) of progress and details of construction projects, necessary field adjustments, or design changes; maintains communications with contractor, citizens and City staff regarding complaints, construction activities, and concerns. Acts as main point of contact in the event of emergencies that arise after hours related to construction.
7. Assists Project Engineers with design, special provisions (Specs), research, and constructability. Corrects errors, identifies omissions, makes known additions to plans and design changes as needed. Prepares estimates for materials. Participates in the development of departmental engineering standards and guidelines.
8. Coordinates with the operations division of the public works department to schedule work to be performed by water, sewer, street or traffic personnel to ensure project timelines are met.
9. Inspects traffic control and personnel for compliance with local guidelines and current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED :

1. Occasionally acts in responsible charge in the absence of the Construction Manager.
2. Performs related duties and assists in other areas of engineering as assigned.
3. May assist with design and plan review of capital projects.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :
Work is performed in an office setting and field environments while conducting inspections, exposing the employee to inclement weather, traffic and construction site hazards, noise, toxic fumes, and infrequent lifting. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow standard safety practices. Inspectors should expect to enter and exit their vehicle many times each day. Must be available for on-call problem resolution and troubleshooting of emergencies and issues that arise after hours as a result of construction.

Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job, including:

• Frequently communicate verbally.
• Mobility necessary to safely move about construction sites and stand, sit or bend in awkward positions.
• Operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page.
• Infrequently lift heavy objects of approximately 50 lbs.
• Mobility necessary to safely move about construction sites and stand, sit or bend in awkward positions.

• A minimum of three years of construction inspection experience for a variety of construction projects required. Must include inspection on public works projects, civil engineering construction or closely related area.
• Associates degree or equivalent education in engineering technology or related field.

An equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job will be considered.

• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check and child and adult abuse records check. ( See Fair Hiring Practices)
• Must secure and maintain the following certifications within 1 year of hire:
  • Water distribution Manager 1 (WDM1)
  • Cross Contamination Certification/Cross Connection Control Specialist (CCS)
  • Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL)
  • Pervious Concrete Installer Certification
  • CPR and First Aid Certification
  • Flagger Certification

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the Citys commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around August 12, 2025.
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating Applicant status will be updated on or around August 21, 2025 . All candidates who achieve a passing score of 60% or greater on the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in the Oral Board Interview.
3. Oral Board Interview: All applicants who achieve the passing score from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of September 2, 2025. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Experience and Training Rating (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%).

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.

If you wish to claim Veterans Preference Points, please complete the and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.