Senior Construction Inspector

Job Summary

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Senior Construction Inspector. This role inspects private construction projects for compliance, provides leadership and technical guidance to other inspectors and development review staff, and works closely with Development Engineers and Plan Examiner to set standards for materials, performance, and safety.

Assures that all public improvement construction is performed in compliance with APWA, Washington DOT, and/or City of Kirkland construction standards and ordinances, and prepares accurate records of projects including test results and "as‑built" information.

• Provide inspection for the most complex and technically difficult construction projects, performing daily and final field inspections of public improvement installations such as water mains, sewage lift stations, sanitary and storm sewers, temporary erosion control facilities, and streets and sidewalks, to assure compliance with all construction standards and City requirements.
• Conduct field training and technical guidance of the other Construction Inspectors.
• Review public and private construction drawings for compliance with all applicable construction standards and technical specifications, and recommend design revisions to the Development Engineering Manager and Senior Development Engineer.
• Assist the Senior Development Engineer with delegation of work among the other Construction Inspectors.
• Provide input on workload demands to the Development Engineering Manager and Senior Development Engineer.
• Assist the Development Engineering Manager, Senior Development Engineer, and the Senior Plans Examiner in developing engineered solutions to problems that arise during construction.
• Guide other Construction Inspectors on daily procedures, job functions, and documentation.
• Determine and implement necessary field revisions to approved designs to satisfy site conditions.
• Maintain records documenting inspections, test results, and related information; prepare periodic project status reports and final inspection reports upon project completion.
• Conduct material testing of concrete mixes and soil comp actions, perform air or water tests of sanitary sewers including side sewers, pressure and purity tests of water systems, and test storm systems requiring pumps and alarms.
• Respond to public inquiries or complaints regarding construction activities, standards, and administrative procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of current construction codes and industry standard changes related to construction material and procedure developments.
• Conduct preconstruction meetings.
• Supervise coordination between development projects and Public Works Maintenance and Operations Division (water, sewer, and streets).
• Coordinate traffic control plans with the City Traffic Engineer for projects in the City right‑of‑way.
• Conduct site investigation/research for proposed development projects and provide utility and street improvement design considerations to relevant managers and examiners.
• Maintain strong working relationships with the Building and Planning Departments Development Review staff.
• Inspect for safety hazards on job sites and modify procedures to ensure safe working conditions for contractors, employees, and the public.
• Help develop and maintain standard plans and specifications for the City of Kirkland.
• Assist the Development Engineering Manager with hiring new Construction Inspectors and serve as a primary data resource for preparing performance appraisals for Construction Inspector positions.

• Ability to work with contractors and the public in a professional, courteous, and knowledgeable manner.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and understand construction techniques and materials.
• Ability to keep accurate project and as‑built information.
• Familiarity with computers and Microsoft products.
• Familiarity with the Permit Plan system.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of direct experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
• Extensive…