Lead Construction Inspector - Water/Wastewater

Parsons Corporation•USA CA (Field), CA

9d•$16 - $71•Onsite

About The Position

Parsons is seeking a Lead Construction Inspector to serve as the owner’s lead field representative on major water infrastructure programs in Orange County, California. The work includes treatment facility construction, slant wells and raw water conveyance, pump stations and storage, and pipeline and outfall improvements in active public settings subject to significant regulatory and environmental scrutiny. The Lead Inspector directs the project’s inspection staff, establishes field documentation standards, and observes work on the owner’s behalf. The position reports to the Resident Engineer and works alongside the Construction Manager, project controls team, and specialty technical leads. The work may include night and off-hours coverage as construction requires. Compensation is based on prevailing wage determination guidelines under the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a technical discipline or construction-related field, or a high school diploma and equivalent work experience.
10+ years of related field-project experience, including 10+ years of construction inspection experience on public works projects and at least 5 years inspecting water, wastewater, or advanced water treatment facilities.
Formal certification from an independent organization, depending on the type of inspection assignment.
Construction safety training, including CalOSHA 10-hour training and Parsons SHARP training.
Demonstrated experience as a lead or chief inspector directing other inspectors on a project with more than $100 million in construction value.
Working knowledge of process mechanical construction, including pumps, valves, high-pressure piping, membrane treatment equipment, and chemical feed systems, as well as cast-in-place concrete, structural steel, yard piping, and underground conveyance.
Familiarity with alternative project delivery, such as design-build, progressive design-build, or CMAR, and the inspector’s role in an owner’s representative capacity.
Ability to produce clear, defensible daily reports and non-conformance documentation that can withstand claims and audit scrutiny.
Experience working under prevailing wage and Project Labor Agreement requirements and on state- or federally funded projects.
Proficiency with electronic construction management platforms (Procore preferred), Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office.
Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with sound judgment about when to resolve an issue in the field and when to escalate it.
Valid California driver’s license and ability to provide own transportation to and from the job site.
Ability to traverse active construction sites, including confined spaces, excavations, and elevated work areas, and lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Degree or certificate in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
ICC certifications (Reinforced Concrete, Structural Welding, Soils, or Commercial Building Inspector) and/or NICET certification in Construction Materials Testing.
Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII).
Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Associate Constructor (AC), or DBIA certification.
OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification and current first aid/CPR.
Prior inspection experience on membrane treatment, potable reuse, or desalination facilities.
Experience with well drilling, development, and wellhead construction.
Prior experience on coastal projects or projects on public lands with associated permit conditions.
Some knowledge of public works contracts may be preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, schedule, and mentor the inspection team across multiple concurrent work fronts, including night and off-hours work as construction activity requires.
Observe and document whether work conforms to contract documents, approved submittals, and applicable permit conditions.
Prepare and oversee daily construction reports covering activities, equipment and personnel onsite, observation hours, weather, and measured progress.
Maintain a labeled, indexed photographic record of daily activities and document existing streets, driveways, sidewalks, and landscaping before construction when they may be affected.
Prepare reports of deviations and non-conforming work, coordinate resolution with the contractor, and escalate unresolved issues to the Resident Engineer.
Monitor contractor compliance with federal, state, and local safety requirements, including OSHA and trenching and excavation regulations.
Support RFI responses, submittal reviews, and constructability input based on field observations; coordinate with the owner’s geotechnical consultant for materials testing and deputy inspection.
Verify installed quantities and measured progress to support monthly payment applications and change order evaluation.
Support startup, commissioning, functional testing, and performance testing; develop and close out punch lists through project completion.
Coordinate daily with the owner, contractor, utilities, public lands and regulatory agencies, and adjacent stakeholders to anticipate conflicts and protect public access and operations.
Maintain inspection documentation in the project’s electronic document management system (Procore).