Building Inspector I/II/III

Ventura County•Thousand Oaks, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The County of Ventura’s Resource Management Agency is hiring Building Inspectors I, II, and III for its Building & Safety Division. Under general supervision, Building Inspectors I and II inspect buildings and structures throughout construction for compliance with governing laws, local ordinances, adopted state and model codes, and standards, taking appropriate action to secure compliance. Building Inspector III performs inspections and plan reviews in an assigned specialty at a more advanced level, may inspect complex commercial and industrial systems when technically qualified, trains inspection staff, and may oversee permit-processing or customer-service functions. The role involves working with homeowners, businesses, builders, contractors, tradespeople, designers, County personnel, and the public. The position combines field work at construction sites with office work. Inspectors review construction and permit materials, communicate code requirements and corrections, document inspections, and address safety and compliance issues. The Inspector III may specialize in general building inspection or electrical, plumbing, or mechanical inspection. The Inspector I is the entry-level classification; the Inspector II requires an applicable ICC certification; and the Inspector III is assigned advanced specialist functions. A lower-level appointee may be promoted to a higher level without further examination after meeting the requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and subject to departmental business needs. The recruitment may be used to fill current and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent, and extra-help vacancies. One regular vacancy is currently available in the Resource Management Agency’s Building & Safety Division. The positions are represented by SEIU and are eligible for overtime compensation. Pay ranges are $32.10–$47.21 per hour for Building Inspector I, $33.67–$49.59 per hour for Building Inspector II, and $35.33–$52.04 per hour for Building Inspector III.

Requirements

Building Inspector I: Two years of experience as an inspector or journeyman in the building trades or building construction, or equivalent education, training, and work experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Building Inspector II: Three years of experience as an inspector or journeyman in the major building trades, or equivalent education, training, and work experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Building Inspector III: Four years of experience as an inspector or journeyman in the major construction trades, including one year with a local governmental agency in the appropriate technical specialty, or equivalent education, training, and work experience.
Related college coursework may substitute for one year of experience for Inspector I or II. For Inspector III, directly related college coursework may substitute for up to two years of required experience on a year-for-year basis, but not for the required government experience.
Possess and maintain a valid California Driver License.
Meet applicable certification and continuing-education requirements under Health & Safety Code 18949.25 et seq.; the posting specifies at least 45 hours of continuing education per three-year period, including at least eight hours regarding disability access requirements.
Building Inspector II: At hire, possess at least one current ICC certificate from the Residential Inspector, Commercial Inspector, or Plans Examiner series; an appropriate job-related certification may be substituted subject to Personnel Department approval.
Building Inspector III: Possess at least one ICC certificate from the Residential Inspector, Commercial Inspector, or Plans Examiner series, plus one additional recognized certificate in the appropriate discipline.
Be able and willing to work in an office and outdoors, lift and carry up to 40 pounds with or without accommodation, and frequently bend, crawl, climb, reach, crouch, and kneel.
Experience working with computer databases or permit and land-use management tracking software.
Knowledge of construction methods and materials, building materials and specialty codes, applicable laws and policies, construction tools and practices, inspection techniques, and International and Uniform Codes appropriate to the classification.
Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations; Inspector II/III roles also require knowledge of more complex technical code provisions, and Inspector III roles include principles of supervision and training.
Ability to read construction drawings and documents, interpret and apply codes and ordinances, communicate instructions orally and in writing, and use computers and related software for document creation, email, permit processing, and land-use tracking.
Ability to detect construction defects, hazards, and unsafe installations; assess damaged buildings for continued use and occupancy; and organize work activities, with Inspector II/III roles potentially adjusting inspectors’ daily assignments.

Nice To Haves

ICC certification as an inspector is preferred for Building Inspector I.
ICC certifications in plumbing, mechanical, or electrical inspection.
Recent construction inspection experience.
Recent college-level education or training in Construction Technology or Building Inspection Technology.
Experience analyzing and interpreting complex mechanical and plumbing plans and applying practical knowledge to achieve safe installations.
Additional trade certifications from the International Code Council are highly desired.

Responsibilities

Inspect residential, some commercial, and other buildings, structures, equipment, and construction work for compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, laws, and standards.
Approve acceptable work or provide written information about corrections needed for compliance.
Explain code and ordinance requirements to County personnel, builders, architects, contractors, tradespeople, and the public.
Issue written notices of violations when required and provide written or electronic inspection notices.
Maintain accurate permit and construction-support files for assigned areas or projects.
Perform simple plan reviews for minor residential additions, alterations, and remodels, as applicable to the Inspector II role.
Inspect complex structural, architectural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems and review plans and related documents and calculations, as applicable to the Inspector III specialty.
Develop and deliver training programs for basic through complex inspections in applicable specialties, and assist inspection staff with complex inspections.
Evaluate damaged buildings for continued use and occupancy, and detect construction defects, unsafe installations, and equipment hazards.
Recommend or advise the Building Official on proposed changes to adopted codes.
Perform related duties as assigned; Inspector III may oversee permit processing and clerical staff at a customer service counter.
Appear as an expert witness at legal hearings and court proceedings when required.

Benefits

General salary increases of 3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and December 19, 2027.
Educational incentive of 2.5% for an associate’s degree, 3.5% for a bachelor’s degree, or 5% for a graduate degree.
Hourly bilingual incentive based on exam proficiency level.
Compressed work schedule options, such as a 9/80 workweek.
Full-time regular employees accrue sick leave and receive an advance at hire, subject to the stated balancing arrangement.
Vacation accrual for new regular, full-time employees, with increased accrual based on service and a maximum stated accrual rate and bank.
Vacation redemption eligibility after approximately five years of continuous County service, subject to the stated conditions.
Eligibility to participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or Section 457 Plan; this position is eligible for up to a 3% match on 401(k) contributions.
Annual flexible health-insurance credit allowance of up to $26,626.86 for full-time regular employees to help offset medical insurance costs for themselves and eligible dependents.
The County pays 100% of dental and vision premiums for eligible employees who enroll in County-sponsored coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible dependent-care and healthcare expenses.
Participation in the County’s defined-benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with CalPERS.
13 paid holidays per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
Tuition reimbursement.
Employee Assistance Program.
Life insurance.
Wellness program.