Building Inspector Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

JOB BULLETIN The City of Buena Park Community and Economic Development Department is accepting applications for Building Inspector. Join the team responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the Buena Park community through the enforcement of the City's building codes and ordinances for newly constructed and remodeled buildings on private property. The City's professional Building and Safety Team offers the opportunity to work on exciting, diverse, large-scale commercial, industrial, and multi-family development projects.

This position requires a highly motivated, adaptable, energetic, and experienced Building Inspector. The ideal candidate will possess excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders while thriving in a fast-paced team environment. Prior building inspector experience in a municipal setting, as well as experience working on large, complex commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and high-rise developments, are highly desirable qualifications for this position.

GENERAL PURPOSE Under general supervision, performs inspection work in the enforcement of building, zoning, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, energy, fire, accessibility, safety and related codes and regulations governing the construction, alteration, repair and use of buildings and structures; and does related work as required. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Building Inspector performs various building inspections related to a range of different construction projects and enforces city and state standards and requirements. The Building Inspector is differentiated from the Senior Building Inspector/Plan Checker that also performs construction plan reviews and has more specialized knowledge of city requirements and building construction practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class. Conducts field inspections of residential, commercial, and industrial building projects at various stages of construction for work requiring permits to enforce building, zoning, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, grading, accessibility, safety, and related codes and regulations.

Inspects sites and buildings before construction or alteration to determine practicability of plans, compliance with regulations, and validity of permits; inspects building sites during construction, alteration or repair for compliance with the minimum standards of building and related codes and regulations. Advises property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, and others on matters relevant to construction methods, materials, types of construction, occupancies, and applicability of codes and standards. Investigates and resolves building and municipal code violations and complaints.

Interprets codes and regulations, and explains inspections and construction requirements to architects, engineers, contractors, rehabilitation program funding recipients, property owners, and the general public. Issues construction permits and certificates of occupancy. Issues correction notices and writes notices of violations or substandard conditions and correspondence to property owners or contractors.

Recommends prosecution actions in serious situations involving non-compliance; issues citations and stop work notices, as needed. Prepares field inspection and permit inspection reports on a regular basis. Maintains records of building inspections, plans, and actions taken; monitors and completes complaint logs.

Participates in staff and administrative meetings. QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES Knowledge of: International Building Code, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and housing codes, and construction classifications; federal and state requirements related to accessibility under the Americans With Disabilities Act; principles, methods, and practices used in various building construction trades, including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, commercial and residential building construction methods and practices; laws, ordinances, and codes regulating to building construction and zoning practices; appropriate safety and fire prevention methods in construction practices; building inspection trends and standards; construction products and applications; effective customer service techniques. Ability to: Operate computer equipment and use word processing and specialized permit and building inspection software programs; review and interpret building plans and specifications; determine compliance of plans with regulations and permits; organize and prioritize daily inspections; inspect building sites during construction, alteration or repair and enforce building, zoning, and related codes and regulations; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, and utility representatives, as well as city staff and management; exercise tact in persuading upset individuals to voluntarily comply with codes, standards, and regulations; prepare and present clear and concise reports and maintain accurate files and records.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger and feel inspection surface areas and use inspection tools and operate computer hardware.

The employee is required to reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.

Inspection activities require frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, and occasional crawling. The employee climbs stairs and ladders to access rooftops and elevated inspection areas. The employee lifts and carries inspection tools, records, or electronic devices that typically weigh less than 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Mental Demands While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret blueprints, documents, and other types of information; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; and interact with staff, management, developers, contractors, officials and the public, including situations involving interpersonal conflicts regarding code interpretations. WORK ENVIRONMENT The employee constantly works outdoors in conducting inspections and is exposed to variable weather conditions as well as heat, humidity, and moisture.

The employee conducts inspections from elevated surfaces and in confined spaces. The employee is exposed to traffic, fumes and airborne particles, and the risk of shock during electrical inspections. The noise level is frequently loud at construction sites.

Administrative and record keeping functions are typically completed within an office environment where the noise level is quiet or moderately quiet. EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required

Two years of experience in varied building inspection work involving the application and interpretation of building construction codes and building regulations is required. LICENSES/CERTIFICATES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required. International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Building Inspector in one or more areas of specialization such as building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical inspection within one year of assignment to the job classification.

Ability to work on call in order to respond to emergency inspection needs. APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT TESTING SCHEDULE (DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE): ORAL INTERVIEWS: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Applicants must file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to oral interview and/or written exams, physical agility testing, and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made.

The list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner. The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability. The City of Buena Park Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy requires that all applicants undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment.