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Public Works Inspector

City of Fontana
United States, California, Fontana
Mar 27, 2026

Definition

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill current and future vacancies within the classification.
Under general supervision, performs construction inspection for a variety of Public Works Projects and Sub-Divisions; performs related duties as required.
Position Snapshot/A Day in the Life: The Public Works Inspector position is part of the Public Works Division within the Public Works/Engineering Department. This role is responsible for performing construction inspections on a variety of projects, including Public Works and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, subdivisions, and commercial/industrial developments.

Inspection duties include underground utilities, traffic signals, street improvements (asphalt and concrete), Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) compliance, and traffic control. The position requires knowledge and experience in implementing construction standards, reviewing construction plans, ensuring safety requirements are met, and coordinating project activities.

The Public Works Inspector is responsible for entering daily inspection reports into the City's permit tracking system and must maintain strong organization and record-keeping practices. The position works closely with Project Engineers in the Land Development Division, the Traffic Signal Maintenance Division, and the City's Building and Safety Department.

The position reports to the Inspection Supervisor and Senior Inspector and collaborates regularly with the Public Works Inspection team. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as the role requires coordination and communication with City staff, outside agencies, contractors, and the public to share information and ensure compliance with City and industry safety standards and guidelines.

Essential Functions

The incumbent must have the ability to:
  • Inspect road, sewers and irrigation and landscape, grading storm drainage construction work performed under contract to the City, including earth moving operation, placement of base materials, paving, utility placement, culvert construction, pouring of concrete and specialized facilities, traffic signal installations.
  • Enforce compliance with contract plans and specifications.
  • Compute contractor work in progress, interpret and coordinate contract provisions with contractor.
  • Inspect sub-division construction work, including concrete forms, placement, reinforcing steel, and placement, consolidation and curing of concrete.
  • Enforce compliance with plans, specifications, City standards and proper construction practices for work such as installation of sewers, utility conduits, construction of storm drains, culverts, flood control channels, catch basins, junction structures, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways and streets.
  • Stipulate corrections and repairs necessary before final acceptance is made.
  • Insure proper placement and maintenance of signs, barricades and warning devices.
  • Recommend to Supervisor acceptance of Public Improvements in completed subdivisions.
  • Inspect adjacent properties for damages from construction activity.
  • Coordinate inspection with other City departments.
  • Perform routine field tests.
  • Confer with City Engineering staff on design problems encountered in the field.
  • Maintain log books and records or inspections.
  • Perform soil compaction testing, checks materials to ensure compliance with job specifications.
  • Make calculations in the field.
  • Perform any other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

Working Conditions:
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. Incumbents may be required to lift, carry and/or push objects weighing 25 pounds or more. The position requires near and far vision when inspecting work. Incumbents work in all weather conditions, use cleaning and lubricating chemicals which may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants, drive motorized vehicles and work around moving traffic.

Experience and Training Guidelines

A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The employee must have the knowledge of:
  • Principles, methods, materials, equipment and safety hazards of construction.
  • Applicable laws, regulations, codes, departmental policies governing the construction of public works projects and subdivisions.
  • Mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
  • Technical report writing and preparation of correspondence, principles and practices of supervision and training.
Ability to:
  • Maintain cooperative working relationships with engineers, developers, contractors, and the public.
  • Exercise independent judgement.
  • Inspect routine and moderately difficult construction.
  • Enforce compliance with plans, specifications, ordinances and codes.
  • Read and interpret engineering plans, blueprints and specifications, record of survey legal descriptions and tract descriptions.
  • Prepare clear and concise correspondence and technical reports involving mathematics.
  • Effectively schedule own work load and meet agreed upon inspection times.
Experience: Two (2) years of sub-professional engineering or journey level public works or heavy construction experience, including some construction inspection experience.

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate will possess two (2) or more years of progressively responsible construction inspection experience on Public Works and CIP projects, including demonstrated expertise in underground utilities, street improvements, and traffic signal installations. Strong candidates will have a proven ability to independently enforce safety standards (including traffic control and OSHA compliance), perform field testing and documentation, and effectively coordinate with contractors, engineers, and multiple agencies while managing multiple active projects with minimal supervision.


Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent.

Supplemental Information

Successful candidates will be required to complete an annual Statement of Economic Interest Form (700 Form) and bi-annual ethics training pursuant to AB 1234.




The City of Fontana has a flexible benefits plan. This plan allows for employees to select benefits based upon their individual needs. Full-time and Classified Part-time employees are eligible for benefits.

Please to view our excellent employee benefit options.





01

Please indicate how much sub-professional engineering or journey level public works or heavy construction experience you have, including some constructions inspection experience.

  • No experience
  • Less than one (1) year.
  • One (1) year or more year(s) but less than two (2) years.
  • Two (2) or more years but less than four (4) years.
  • Four (4) or more years but less than six (6) years.
  • Six (6) years or more.

02

Please indicate your level of experience inspecting public works construction projects (e.g., streets, sewer, storm drain, or utilities):

  • No experience
  • Less than one (1) year.
  • One (1) year or more year(s) but less than two (2) years.
  • Two (2) or more years but less than four (4) years.
  • Four (4) or more years but less than six (6) years.
  • Six (6) years or more.

03

Based on your response to the question above, please describe your experience. In your response, include the name of your employer(s), your job title(s), duration of employment, and a summary of your specific duties and level of responsibility related to this experience. If you indicated that you have no experience, type "N/A." Responses such as "see resume" or references to other application materials in place of a complete response will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.

04

Please indicate your experience with reading and interpreting engineering plans, specifications, and construction drawings:

  • No experience
  • Less than one (1) year.
  • One (1) year or more year(s) but less than two (2) years.
  • Two (2) or more years but less than four (4) years.
  • Four (4) or more years but less than six (6) years.
  • Six (6) years or more.

05

Based on your response to the question above, please describe your experience. In your response, include the name of your employer(s), your job title(s), duration of employment, and a summary of your specific duties and level of responsibility related to this experience. If you indicated that you have no experience, type "N/A." Responses such as "see resume" or references to other application materials in place of a complete response will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.

06

Please indicate your experience performing field testing and inspection documentation (e.g., compaction testing, daily reports, inspection logs):

  • No experience
  • Less than one (1) year.
  • One (1) year or more year(s) but less than two (2) years.
  • Two (2) or more years but less than four (4) years.
  • Four (4) or more years but less than six (6) years.
  • Six (6) years or more.

07

Based on your response to the question above, please describe your experience. In your response, include the name of your employer(s), your job title(s), duration of employment, and a summary of your specific duties and level of responsibility related to this experience. If you indicated that you have no experience, type "N/A." Responses such as "see resume" or references to other application materials in place of a complete response will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.

08

Please indicate your experience ensuring compliance with safety requirements, traffic control measures, trench shoring, and OSHA standards on active job sites:

  • No experience
  • Limited experience (assisted or observed)
  • Moderate experience (performed with some supervision)
  • Extensive experience (independently enforced compliance and issued corrections)

09

Based on your response to the question above, please describe your experience. In your response, include the name of your employer(s), your job title(s), duration of employment, and a summary of your specific duties and level of responsibility related to this experience. If you indicated that you have no experience, type "N/A." Responses such as "see resume" or references to other application materials in place of a complete response will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.

10

Please indicate your experience coordinating with contractors, engineers, and other agencies on construction projects:

  • No experience
  • Limited experience (occasional coordination)
  • Moderate experience (regular communication and coordination)
  • Extensive experience (primary point of contact, resolving issues and conflicts)

11

Based on your response to the question above, please describe your experience. In your response, include the name of your employer(s), your job title(s), duration of employment, and a summary of your specific duties and level of responsibility related to this experience. If you indicated that you have no experience, type "N/A." Responses such as "see resume" or references to other application materials in place of a complete response will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification.

12

Do you currently possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent?

  • Yes
  • No


Required Question



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