Job Description

Description

The City of Foster City is seeking a qualified Senior Building Inspector who is detail-oriented and has the knowledge and experience in the areas of building inspection and safety and code compliance to join the Building Division of our Community Development Department. The Department consists of Building, Planning, and Code Enforcement Divisions and is headed by Community Development Director. 

Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way would be:

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent. A desired course of additional education would include two (2) years of college course work in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Inspection, or completion of an Apprenticeship Program in a building construction related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience to include a minimum of one (1) year full-time plan check experience and one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in a variety of municipal building inspection work.

Licenses, Certificates, Registration

• Possession of the International Code Council (I.C.C.) Plans Examiner Certificate and Full Combination Building Inspector Certificate.

Special Requirements
Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications; perform complex building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections; interpret and apply provisions of pertinent codes and regulations, prepare accurate and concise reports; acquire and demonstrate skill supervising and managing work of others; learn administrative techniques, methods and procedures of personnel management and other skills required to assist in management of the Division operations; establish and assist in developing improvements to computerized Division operations; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with engineers, architects, contractors and the general public; attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.

To review the full job announcement, click on the "Foster City Senior Building Inspector Flyer" below.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for relevant education, experience, training and other job related qualifications. Based upon a review of employment applications received, a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process. 

The process will consist of an Oral Panel Interview. An eligibility list will be established from those who pass the examination process with a score of 70% or higher. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain in effect for at least one year unless exhausted sooner. 

The department will invite the most qualified candidates from the eligibility list to a final department interview. The Community Development Department will make the hiring decision. 

Expected Dates for Examinations (subject to change): 
Oral Panel Interview: January 2026 (exact date TBD)
Department Interview: January 2026 (exact date TBD)

Note: Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the selection process. The City of Foster City reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process. 

Application Filing Period: Closes at 5:00pm on the date stated in the job announcement; however, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended. 

Job PDF: 

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the position of senior building inspector should meet the following qualifications:

1. Mandatory Certifications:
   • Possession of Commercial Combination ICC (International Code Council) Certifications for Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing inspections.
2. Preferred Qualifications:
   • Minimum five years of building inspection experience.
   • Experience in biomedical/medical building inspection would be highly desirable.
   • Certified Access Specialist (CASp.) certification.
3. Additional Desirable Certifications:
   • Building Code Specialist certification.
   • Plans Examiner certification.
   • California Energy Inspector certification.
   • Reinforced Concrete certification.
   • Other certifications identified by the City as applicable to city business.
4. Training Opportunities:
   • The building inspector will have the opportunity to attain additional certifications within one year of hire through training.

Overall, the ideal candidate for the senior building inspector role should possess mandatory Residential and Commercial Combination ICC Certifications for Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing inspections. In addition, they should have a minimum of five years of building inspection experience. Experience in biomedical building inspection is highly desirable, along with a Certified Access Specialist (CASp.) certification. Additional desirable certifications include Building Code Specialist, Plans Examiner, California Energy Inspector, Reinforced Concrete, and any other certifications identified by the City as applicable. Training opportunities will be provided to acquire additional certifications within one year of hire.

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