Senior Construction Inspector

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County’s regional water wholesaler. Its mission is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 22 member agencies serving the region’s 268 billion dollar economy and 3.3 million residents.

The Engineering Department is responsible for the design and construction of regional water facilities in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), value engineering, major emergency repairs, CIP programmatic monitoring, real‑estate interests, and the water authority’s energy program.

The Construction Group supports engineering project and construction managers throughout the planning, design, and construction phases. Duties include detailed construction inspections, plan interpretation, compliance documentation, staff leadership, priority setting, and related duties.

The Senior Construction Inspector plays a key role in delivering the authority’s capital improvement and rehabilitation projects. This advanced, journey‑level classification performs the most complex construction inspection work independently and provides lead technical guidance to lower‑level inspectors.

• Monitor and inspect a wide range of water conveyance and infrastructure construction activities—including pipelines, valves, structural concrete, mechanical systems, metalwork, coatings, grading, and related facilities—to ensure full compliance with project plans, specifications, regulatory requirements, and safety standards.
• Review contractor submittals and records, perform advanced calculations, resolve construction conflicts, and prepare detailed inspection and progress reports.
• Assign, review, and guide the work of lower‑level inspection staff and support the development of consistent inspection practices across the construction program.
• Perform site inspections prior to construction, document site conditions, and verify elevation, alignment, concrete, welding, and other critical parameters.
• Identify design conflicts and recommend corrective actions, maintain accurate project records, and coordinate with engineers, contractors, consultants, and permitting agencies.
• Document post‑construction conditions using still photography, video, and written reports.
• Lead punch‑list walks, acceptance testing, equipment testing, troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical systems, and facility start‑up and commissioning.
• Coordinate permitting processes, material testing, and environmental analyses as necessary.
• Maintain inventory and procure technical and field supplies as directed.

• Completion of twelfth grade plus college‑level coursework in civil engineering, construction management, engineering mathematics, or related fields.
• Six years of progressively responsible paraprofessional engineering experience in construction management and public works construction inspection, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

• A valid California driver’s license and ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority’s Vehicle Insurance Policy.
• Certification as a Sediment and Erosion Controls Inspector, or attainment within one year of appointment.
• Certification as a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP), or attainment within one year of appointment.
• Certifications such as CWI, ICC, ACI, and ASNT NDT are highly desirable.

Employees assigned to the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. This position is not eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.