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Public Works Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Littletongov

Civil Engineer (I, II, or III)

Geneva, IL · On-site

$114K - $120K/yr

The City of Littleton Department of Public Works & Utilities is seeking a collaborative and ... inspections, materials testing, contractors, consultants, utility companies, public agencies and ...

Ascent Hospitality

Room Inspector

Hammond, IN · On-site

Inspects guest rooms and public outlets daily to ensure the quality assurance program is being ... Works closely with the Front Office team to ensure guest room satisfaction * Properly reports and ...

Intertek Global

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Skokie, IL · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

... and inspection in civil and commercial construction. Our broad service offering includes ... Experience working with public agencies (Public Works, DSA, USACE, etc.) Preferred Requirements ...

Tower Engineering Group LLC

Be Seen First

Project Engineer I - Construction Management

Chicago, IL · On-site

$30 - $37/hr

Interest in transportation infrastructure and public works. * Engineer-in-Training (EIT ... inspection, and municipal services throughout Illinois. We support projects for IDOT, CDOT ...

Tower Engineering Group LLC

Be Seen First

Project Engineer I - Construction Management

Chicago, IL · On-site

$30 - $37/hr

Interest in transportation infrastructure and public works. * Engineer-in-Training (EIT ... inspection, and municipal services throughout Illinois. We support projects for IDOT, CDOT ...

City of Geneva, IL

Wastewater Treatment Operator

Geneva, IL · On-site

$71K - $96K/yr

Geneva, Public Works Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 202400047 Department: Wastewater Treatment ... Inspect lift stations, record data, check equipment levels, etc. * Perform laboratory tests such as ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPublic Works Inspector JobsPublic Works Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL

Public Works Inspector information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$20.1K

$66.2K

$94.9K

How much do public works inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for public works inspector in Chicago, IL is $66,210.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,100.00 and $79,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public works inspector?

Public Works Inspectors are professionals responsible for inspecting construction projects related to public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, water systems, and public buildings. They ensure that construction and maintenance work complies with municipal codes, safety regulations, and contract specifications. Public Works Inspectors often review plans, conduct site visits, document progress, and address any issues related to quality or compliance. Their work helps ensure public safety and the proper use of public funds by maintaining high standards in community projects.

What does a public works inspector do?

A public works inspector’s primary role is to ensure the safety of water and wastewater systems, and ensure compliance with US EPA regulations. Responsibilities include the inspection and monitoring of conditions and documenting/reporting findings as required by law. Your duties in this job include overseeing the impact of construction projects, requiring the ability to read plans. You may also recommend corrections and repairs to mitigate any negative environmental effects. You work directly with contractors and other utility staff. The position is physically demanding, and may involve shift work. You should be available on an on-call basis during nights and weekends.

What are some common challenges faced by public works inspectors on construction sites?

Public Works Inspectors often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple contractors, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, and addressing unforeseen site conditions that may impact project timelines. Clear communication and attention to detail are essential, as inspectors must document findings, resolve discrepancies, and ensure safety standards are met. Additionally, balancing multiple projects simultaneously and adapting to variable weather or site conditions are typical aspects of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public works inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Works Inspector, you need a solid understanding of civil engineering principles, construction codes, and inspection techniques, usually supported by relevant certifications or an associate’s degree in construction management or a related field. Familiarity with inspection software, GIS systems, and the ability to interpret blueprints and technical documents are typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are crucial for working with contractors and public stakeholders. These skills ensure infrastructure projects meet regulatory standards, are completed safely, and serve the public interest efficiently.

What is the difference between Public Works Inspector vs Civil Engineer?

AspectPublic Works InspectorCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles require certifications in construction or inspectionBachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field; licensure often required
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, public infrastructure projects, field inspectionsDesign offices, project planning, site supervision
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipalities, government agencies, construction firmsEngineering firms, government agencies, private sector

Public Works Inspectors primarily focus on inspecting construction projects to ensure compliance with codes and standards, working directly on-site. Civil Engineers design, plan, and oversee infrastructure projects, often working in offices and on-site. While both roles are involved in public infrastructure, Inspectors concentrate on enforcement and quality control, whereas Civil Engineers handle design and project planning.

More about Public Works Inspector jobs
What are popular job titles related to Public Works Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL? For Public Works Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Public Works Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Public Works Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Public Works Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Works Inspector job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,210 per year, or $31.8 per hour.

Civil Engineer III (UNION AFSCME)

City of Evanston

Evanston, IL • On-site

$55.19 - $69.79/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position Type:
Public Works/Civil Engineer III
Date Posted:
3/12/2026
Location:
Service Center
Date Available:
TBD
Closing Date:
Open until filled
Salary: $55.185 - $69.792/hourly*
*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.
NATURE OF WORK:
This is a professional position requiring the performance of a variety of civil engineering and project management tasks for city infrastructure improvement projects including multimodal transportation, utilities, and park amenities. Tasks include completion of engineering challenge studies, preparation of contract documents (plans and specifications), cost estimating, field inspection, field reports, approval of contractor pay estimates, and project closeout tasks. This position may also be responsible for the preparation of requests for qualifications and requests for proposals, as well as hiring and supervision of consulting firms for the purpose of planning, design and construction.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Plans, designs, and directs construction and maintenance of civil site design, multimodal transportation, traffic calming, parking lots, alleys, water systems, and park amenities.
  • Prepares contract drawings utilizing engineering drawing software.
  • Prepares contract technical specifications in compliance with Illinois Department of Transportation and other industry standards.
  • Prepares Division 0 and Division 1 in compliance with City of Evanston guidelines and policies.
  • Prepares engineering cost estimates for capital improvement projects.
  • Understands requirements of external agencies, such as the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
  • Prepares permit applications and applies for permits in support of City infrastructure projects from the City of Evanston and from outside agencies,
  • Works within the city of Evanston purchasing policies to procure engineering/contractor services.
  • Provides field inspection of contractors and prepares field reports to document progress and issues.
  • Investigates complaints from citizens, contractors and the general public; responds and resolves situations in accordance with City standards and parameters
  • Reviews and approves contractor and consultant pay estimates.
  • Supervises project closeout, including production of as-built drawings and .shp files for upload into the City's GIS system.
  • Prepares Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals to contract with consulting firms for the purpose of planning, design and construction of municipal infrastructure improvements.
  • Oversees the work of consulting firms contracted for the improvement of the City's infrastructure.
  • Performs technical research in developing solutions to engineering problems.
  • Completes planning studies to resolve municipal infrastructure challenges.
  • Prepares and implements traffic signal timing plans for isolated intersections, arterial systems and the downtown grid system.
  • Prepares and/or evaluates traffic and parking impact studies.
  • Prepares memoranda and reports for internal and external use.
  • May attend community and neighborhood meetings, including evenings and weekends, to listen to concerns, present plans, and resolve issues.
  • May prepare presentations and present in public meetings to discuss infrastructure issues and recommendations for improvements.
  • May prepare and submit applications for grant and loan funding, as well as providing documentation for reporting requirements once grants are received.
  • May review permits and submissions for private development and provide comments/recommendations.
  • Drives a vehicle to job sites in various locations around the City of Evanston.
  • Uses Personal Protective Equipment as appropriate to the task and environment.
  • Provides technical oversight and coordination for Lead Service Line Replacement projects in collaboration with Water Utility staff, Public Works, and hired consulting firms.
  • Reviews engineering plans, specifications, and construction sequencing for LSLR projects to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and City policies.
  • Coordinates with internal departments to support permitting, resident coordination, and construction phasing related to LSLR work.
  • Assists with field oversight during construction to verify conformance with approved plans and address constructability issues as they arise.
  • Supports tracking of LSLR program progress, schedules, and key milestones in coordination with project team members.
  • Prepare and submit applications for grant and loan funding, as well as providing documentation for reporting requirements once grants are received

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
  • Must possess a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or similar engineering discipline.
  • Must have at least 5 years of experience in civil engineering.
  • Must have EIT certification.
  • Must possess and maintain a State of Illinois driver's license and a safe driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
  • Working knowledge of civil engineering theory, principles and practices.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
  • Understanding of various phases of municipal engineering, MUTCD and Highway Capacity manual.
  • Knowledge of software including Autodesk Civil 3D, Adobe Acrobat (and other software programs allowing markups of pdf files), Microsoft Office and Google Office Suite.
  • Knowledge of construction techniques, methods and materials..
  • Ability to collaborate with staff, including professional, technical, and support staff.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, citizens, contractors, and city officials.
  • Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
  • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical material in mathematical and diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables at one time.
  • Ability to use mathematics for calculations needed for civil engineering tasks.
  • Ability to read scientific and technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, blueprints and specifications, contracts, proposals, legal documents, management information reports, safety manuals and rules, personnel rules, city code and related documents.
  • Ability to prepare business letters, memoranda, summaries and reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style that are understandable to the audience to whom the written document is addressed.
  • Ability to speak effectively and persuasively, using appropriate diction, articulation, vocabulary and presence appropriate to the audience to whom the spoken word is addressed.
  • Ability to obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification in IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100 and ICS-200

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
Light work: exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Type of physical demands: stooping (bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist); kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees); crouching (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine); feeling (perceiving attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature or texture by means of receptors in the skin); fingering (picking, pinching, or otherwise working with fingers primarily); reaching (extending hands(s) and arm(s) in any direction); handling (seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hands); talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word); hearing (perceiving the nature of sounds by ear); seeing (the ability to perceive the nature of objects by eye); far vision (clarity of vision at 20 feet or more); near vision (clarity of vision at 20 inches or less); depth perception (ability to judge distance and space relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are, including safety to oneself and others); field of vision (observing an area that can be seen up and in a given point, when required to see a large area while keeping the eyes fixed); accommodation (adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus, especially important when doing near-point work at varying distances from the eye); color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Physical Surroundings - the worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. There are no environmental hazards indicated for this classification.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
SUPERVISION:
Work is performed under the general direction of a Senior Project Manager. Assignments may vary and may be either verbal or written, with work subject to review by a supervisor through ongoing observation, written and verbal communications, meetings and from department. Guidance is provided through rules and regulations, policies and procedures, unified work rules, union contract, personnel rules and OSHA. Additional guidance is provided by federal, state, and City traffic sign and control regulations, safety regulations, and sign manufacturing equipment manuals.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
Will have contact with other city employees and contractors on a regular basis. May have periodic contact with the general public when in the field or at public meetings.
SELECTION METHOD TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
Qualifications Assessment Category List Two (2) Years
Structured Oral Interview
To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.
Chosen candidates will be subject to a pre-employment screening and drug/alcohol screen.
The City of Evanston is committed to making all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. Any citizen needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Facilities Management Office at 847-866-2916 (voice) or 847-448-8052 (TTY).

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