Building Inspector I/II

Posting number: 04713

Department: Community and Economic Development

Division: Measure H - Building Safety

Job classification: BUILDING INSPECTOR II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Building & Safety, Code Enforcement, Planning and Development, Construction Trades

Summary

Join Our Team as a Building Inspector and Help Create Safer Housing!

Are you passionate about building safety, code compliance, and improving the quality of housing in our community? The City of Modesto is seeking Building Inspector I/IIs to join our team and play an important role in the City's Rental Housing Safety Program.

As a Building Inspector assigned to the Rental Housing Safety Program, you'll help ensure that rental housing is safe, habitable, and compliant with applicable building and housing regulations. You'll work directly with property owners, property managers, tenants, and members of the public to identify unsafe or substandard conditions and help bring properties into compliance.

As a Building Inspector with us, you'll:

• Inspect Rental Properties: Conduct inspections of residential rental properties to identify building, safety, maintenance, and habitability deficiencies and determine compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Make a Tangible Impact: Help protect the health, safety, and welfare of Modesto residents by identifying unsafe housing conditions and working with property owners to correct violations.
• Conduct Follow-Up Inspections: Monitor compliance, perform re-inspections, and verify that required repairs and corrections have been completed.
• Work as Part of a Team: Assist with new construction inspections to ensure new buildings are built safely,.
• Serve the Community in the Field: Spend significant time in the field conducting inspections while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and effective communication when working with a diverse range of property owners and residents.

Join us and become part of a team dedicated to improving the safety and quality of Modesto's rental housing. Your knowledge, judgment, and commitment to public service can make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents throughout our community.

Salary Incentives:

2.5% Education Incentive (bachelor's degree)

5% Education Incentive (master's degree)

Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is the most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application with the words "SEE RESUME."

Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.

Tentative Testing Schedule

Online Exam

September 29, 2026 - October 5, 2026

The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate’s experience.

Examples of duties

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

Essential Functions:

Make field inspections of building construction and its components in residential, commercial and industrial applications to assure compliance with applicable codes and regulations of City, State and Federal agencies.

Examine, evaluate and approve the construction of structural framing systems in compliance with Title 24, Title 25 and applicable fire, life, and health and safety requirements.

Examine completed construction and general workmanship prior to occupancy; maintain plan files, progress reports, and properly complete permit inspection records.

Investigate alleged violations of zoning ordinance and related policies.

Perform inspection duties in trade specialties such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical, structural, and finish trade areas.

May perform necessary field work and/or issue permits for residential building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical code compliance and special inspection applications.

Inspect foundation, cement, framing, plastering, plumbing, heating, and electrical installations, and a large variety of other complex and routine building system elements for compliance with applicable codes and standards of workmanship; check stud, joist, rafter spacing and other structural member factors.

Examine grade, quality, and treatment of lumber, cement, lath, wire and composition.

Ensure proper and safe installation of routine and complex building systems.

Coordinate inspection activities with other City departments and divisions.

Review plans, schedules and specifications for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.

Ascertain conformance to Uniform Building Code, Plumbing and Electrical Codes, and pertinent provisions of State and County health and environmental ordinances.

Confer with architects, contractors, builders, and the general public in the field and office; prepare correspondence as required.

Recommend amendments to building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes.

Maintain detailed records and prepare reports.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City of Modesto employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Marginal Functions:

Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Building Inspector I

Knowledge of:

Operations, services, and activities of a building department.

Accepted safety standards and methods of building construction.

Building related codes and ordinances enforceable by the City, including uniform building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical codes.

Techniques of reading and interpreting drawings and blueprints.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

Read and interpret building plans, specifications, and building codes throughout the course of construction.

Understand and carry out verbal and written directions.

Learn to advise on standard construction methods and requirements.

Learn to apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.

Learn to perform and apply journey level inspection skills in a variety of specialty trade areas and to perform competent and efficient work as a combination Building Inspector.

Make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.

Learn to enforce state and municipal codes under the jurisdiction of the department.

Prepare precise written inspection correction lists and properly complete permit inspection records.

Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact.

Perform medium manual labor, including but not limited to, lifting and carrying up to fifty (50) pounds of weight, climbing, bending, and stooping.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Four years of increasingly responsible journey level construction experience in one of the following building trades: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, mechanical systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning/HVAC), or a related field.

Training:

Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college with major course work in building inspection technology or a related field.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.

Possession of a Certified Building Inspector certificate issued by the International Code Council (ICC) is required by the end of the probationary period.

Building Inspector II:

In addition to the qualifications for the Building Inspector I:

Knowledge of:

Principles and techniques of building inspection work.

Ability to:

Determine that construction systems conform to City Code requirements.

Advise on standard construction methods and requirements.

Apply City codes and policies regarding zoning, environmental matters, and other regulations to field situations

Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques to examine workmanship and materials, and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.

Perform journey level inspection skills in a variety of specialty trade areas and to perform competent and efficient work as a combination Building Inspector.

Enforce State and Municipal Codes under the jurisdiction of the department.

Work independently with minimal supervision.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

A minimum of two years of responsible journey experience as a Combination Building Inspector.

Training:

Equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree with major course work in Building Inspection Technology or a related field.

License and Certificate:

Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Possession of an I.C.C. Certificate as a Certified Building Inspector is required at the time of appointment. In addition, must have certification in one or more of the following building trades: plumbing, electrical, or mechanical.

Supplemental information

Mobility: frequent standing for long period of time; frequent bending and squatting; frequent climbing. Lifting: frequent lifting up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision. Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking in person. May be required to wear ear protection or hear in noisy conditions. Emotional/ Psychological: frequent coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to loud noise; frequent exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is often performed in an outdoor construction environment with year-round exposure to varying weather conditions. Work is subject to construction site noise and environment including exposure to loud equipment and machinery. Work is performed at various remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime and weekend work and travel is rare.