Building Inspector Apprentice Jobs in California

Description:

Company Profile: 

Plant Prefab is a certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation that manufactures customized prefabricated building components—enabling general contractors, developers, and homebuilders to construct high-quality architectural homes faster, more reliably, and more affordably. From its $40M, 270,000-square-foot automated factory in Tejon Ranch—the first in the nation purpose-built to produce both modular and panelized housing components at scale—Plant can manufacture 1,000–2,000 homes per year. Its patented Plant Building System™ combines automation, design flexibility, and sustainable construction to deliver superior quality and efficiency compared to traditional building methods. Plant brings extensive experience in fire-resilient construction and is currently involved in dozens of rebuilding projects comprising dozens of homes in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu.

Job Summary:

Plant Prefab is seeking an Inventory/Plumbing Apprentice to support both plumbing installation activities and the organization, control, and availability of plumbing materials, tools, and spare parts within the factory. This position provides an opportunity to develop hands-on plumbing skills while gaining experience in inventory management, material tracking, and ERP-based inventory systems. The Inventory/Plumbing Apprentice will work closely with the Plumbing, Maintenance, Warehouse, Purchasing, and Operations teams to ensure plumbing materials are properly received, organized, inventoried, staged, and available to support production. The position will also assist with plumbing installation activities within Plant’s modules and panels under the direction of the Plumbing Supervisor. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, willing to learn, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. All work must be performed safely and in accordance with Plant Prefab’s quality standards, policies, procedures, applicable building codes, and OSHA requirements. The position will be based at our Tejon Ranch, CA facility and report to the Operations Manager and Plumbing Supervisor. This is a temporary position with an expected duration of four months. 

Core Responsibilities:

Plumbing Apprenticeship

• Assist experienced plumbing personnel with plumbing installations and repairs while developing knowledge of proper plumbing methods, techniques, and applicable codes.
• Learn and apply proper pipe measuring, cutting, fitting, connecting, and installation techniques.
• Assist with testing plumbing systems and identifying leaks, defects, or installation issues.
• Complete work efficiently while minimizing material waste and spoilage.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area and properly care for tools and equipment.
• Follow all Plant Prefab quality assurance procedures and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify non-value-added activities and communicate opportunities for improving plumbing processes.
• Perform other plumbing-related duties as assigned.

Plumbing Inventory & Material Management

• Organize and maintain plumbing inventory, materials, tools, equipment, and spare parts in designated storage locations.
• Maintain an organized and clearly labeled plumbing inventory area.
• Assist with establishing and maintaining standardized labeling, bin locations, and storage systems.
• Receive, inspect, count, and properly store plumbing materials and components.
• Stage and distribute plumbing materials to production areas as needed.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and report discrepancies, damaged materials, shortages, or excess inventory.
• Perform routine cycle counts and physical inventory checks.
• Assist with identifying obsolete, excess, duplicate, or damaged inventory.
• Monitor frequently used plumbing materials and communicate replenishment needs to the appropriate personnel.
• Work with Purchasing, Warehouse, and Plumbing personnel to ensure critical plumbing materials are available when needed.
• Help maintain accurate item descriptions, part numbers, categories, and inventory locations.
• Support efforts to reduce material waste, stockouts, and excess inventory.

MerlinAI & Inventory Systems

• Assist with maintaining plumbing inventory information in MerlinAI.
• Enter, verify, and update inventory data, including item descriptions, quantities, locations, and part numbers.
• Assist with barcode labeling and inventory tracking initiatives.
• Learn and follow established MerlinAI inventory procedures.
• Assist with inventory reports, audits, and reconciliation activities.
• Communicate system or inventory discrepancies to the appropriate supervisor.
• Support continuous improvement of inventory tracking and material management processes.

Safety & Quality

• Perform all work in a safe manner and comply with Plant Prefab safety policies, OSHA requirements, and applicable environmental regulations.
• Follow Plant Prefab’s Quality Manual, SOPs, and applicable building codes and regulations, including HCD requirements.
• Properly use required personal protective equipment and safety equipment.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, material defects, or quality concerns.
• Consider health, safety, sustainability, and environmental impact in all decisions and actions.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job

Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous plumbing, construction, manufacturing, warehouse, or inventory experience is preferred but not required.
• Interest in developing a career in plumbing and willingness to learn plumbing installation methods, materials, tools, and applicable codes.
• Basic understanding of plumbing concepts and materials, including PEX, ABS, fittings, valves, fixtures, and pipe connections, preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly when handling inventory, materials, and part numbers.
• Ability to accurately count, identify, label, locate, and organize plumbing materials and inventory.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn inventory management and ERP systems, including MerlinAI.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, preferred.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, SOPs, plans, shop drawings, and other technical documentation.
• Ability to use basic hand tools and willingness to learn the proper and safe use of plumbing tools and equipment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with Plumbing, Warehouse, Purchasing, Maintenance, and Operations personnel.
• Ability to work independently when completing assigned inventory responsibilities while also working effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and respond to changing production needs.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, quality, organization, and accuracy.
• Ability to identify and communicate inventory shortages, damaged materials, discrepancies, quality concerns, and unsafe conditions.
• Ability to work efficiently in a steady-to-fast-paced environment and adjust between the two at a moment’s notice.
• Ability to learn new processes, systems, tools, and construction techniques.
• Ability to maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to frequently kneel, reach, grip, bend, twist, climb, and work in various positions as required.
• Personal qualities of reliability, integrity, accountability, willingness to learn, and dedication to the mission of Plant Prefab.

Equipment/Tools Used:

• PEX Tool
• Pipe Threading Machine
• Grinder
• Chop Saw
• Rotary Machine
• Hand Tools
• Hole Hawg
• Torch

Personal Protective Equipment Used:

• Hard Hat
• Hearing Protection
• Arm Sleeves
• Respirator/Dust Mask
• Fall Protection
• Warm Clothing
• High Visibility Vest/Coat
• Eye Protection (Safety Glasses)
• Gloves (Work Gloves)
• Steel Toe Work Boots

Working Conditions:

• Inside Work
• Excessive Cold
• Excessive Heat
• Excessive Noise
• Repetitious
• Dust/Particulates
• High Speed Equipment
• Smoke/Fumes
• Wet Surfaces
• Stairs/Ladders
• Heights (up to 5 ft)

Hazardous Materials:

• Compressed Gas

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation (hourly pay) commensurate with experience and skills
• The opportunity to work with great architects, engineers, and leaders; and meaningfully contribute to projects that improve the quality of life for people and the planet

Application Instructions:

Please apply on Paylocity, taking care to complete all required fields.

Applicants must be authorized to legally work in the U.S.; sorry, no sponsorship is available. Applicants may be subject to passing a background check, drug screening, and pre-employment physical. Plant Prefab has an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.