Local Construction Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $48,994.00 Annually
Location : Public Works, Operations, Carolina Road, Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 04623
Department: PUBLIC WORKS-ROADWAY MNT
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Under general supervision, performs technical work inspecting local construction projects to ensure compliance with City planning and development policy. Works includes inspecting construction projects by both the City and private developers to ensure that materials, methods, sizing, and locations in project development meet City specifications; testing of the materials utilized in such construction; and investigating construction practices and recommending changes when necessary. Employee is also responsible for preparing various reports on construction projects. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in performing inspections. Employee must also exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with property owners, developers, contractors and the general public. Reports to the Construction Manager.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions

• Inspects construction projects and enforces City ordinances governing minimum standards and requirements of new sanitary sewer and water main construction, alterations, and repairs; roadway and associated infrastructure.
• Examines construction methods and materials and construction project location; ensuring compliance with City planning and development policy. Review project plans, revisions, and corresponding documents.
• Confers with contractors, property owners, developers, architects, engineers, and others regarding inspection requests, construction codes, building plans, etc.; examines and investigates methods and practices employed in local construction projects, recommending changes when necessary.
• Tests various construction materials to ensure adherence with applicable codes and standards.
• Oversees construction projects in the city.
• Inspects construction projects for work zone safety, and that erosion and sediment control practices are being adhered to.
• Measures installed quantities of construction; calculates percent completion; adjusts construction drawings to reflect actual work; diagnoses and solves engineering problems and reviews construction contracts and oversee test.
• Conducts final inspections on city and state right-of-way improvements for acceptance and maintenance of roadways.
• Prepares monthly estimates for capital projects. Prepares and maintains various records and reports pertaining to status of ongoing construction projects; schedules appointments; conducts final project inspection and recommends acceptance of work.
• Conducts required testing of systems during construction. Interprets site plans.
• Performs data collection activities as warranted; i.e. GPS valve and hydrant locations.
• Attends construction meetings with contractors, engineers, and inspectors.
• Fuels vehicles; takes vehicles to shop for maintenance and repairs; maintains appearance of vehicle.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications
Graduation from high school, and 1 to 2 years of experience in the construction trade or building inspections, college-level course work in civil engineering or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Possession of a valid driver's license.

• Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector Certification - must possess within 18 months of employment.
• Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Stormwater Inspector Certification, must possess within 18 months of employment.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of modern construction practices, materials, and equipment, and of the various stages of construction when violations and defects should be observed and corrected.
• Knowledge of structural engineering practices as applied to construction and inspection of commercial and industrial buildings.
• Knowledge of State and local building ordinances and codes.
• Knowledge of City geography.
• Ability to detect and locate defective workmanship in construction or repairs.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, diagrams, specifications, codes and building regulations.
• Ability to extract water samples on construction locations for bacteriological testing.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and firmness in dealing with contractors, property owners and the general public.
• Ability to physically maneuver on scaffolds, structural members, and in cramped quarters to accomplish thorough inspections.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to read a variety of correspondence and reports, architectural drawings, electrical diagrams, balance sheets, diagnostic reports, inspection slips, blueprints, inspection requests, etc.; prepares correspondence and reports, forms, permits, activity logs, etc., using prescribed format.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to use and interpret building codes, engineering, mechanical and electrical terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; and to utilize basic systems of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, and ratio and proportion.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office machinery and equipment; to operate motor vehicles.
• Ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.
• Knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.

Physical Requirements
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including calculators, copiers, telephones, two-way radios, and motor vehicles. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;
Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.
Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.
Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.
Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.
Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.
Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03
Which of the following reflects your highest level of education in Construction/Building Trades, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field?

• College Level Coursework
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• No degree or college level coursework

04
Which best describes your years of experience in the construction trade or building inspections?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4-5 years
• 5-6 years
• 6 years or more

05
Describe any hands-on experience you have with construction site inspections or construction work.
06
Are you able to obtain the DEQ Erosion and Sediment Control Insp