The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) are recruiting to create a civil service list for Construction Inspector that will be used to fill vacancies for up to one year. These vacancies may be temporary, project based or permanent depending on business needs.

Construction Inspectors work independently and need to be self-directed and highly motivated. Successful candidates will be resilient, work effectively with contractors, and work collaboratively with various stakeholders on project construction, communicate effectively to work out conflicting interests in project construction, track and record budget items and project progress, conduct various forms of testing, complete acceptance and closeout documentation. Inspectors are responsible for understanding and making minor modifications to engineered drawings and survey information.

Vacancies may occur within the following departments (work locations and schedule will vary by position):

Public Works

The Public Works Engineering Division is seeking Construction Inspectors to help deliver complex, high-value capital improvement projects that support the City’s infrastructure and community needs. Inspectors work across a wide range of municipal systems—including roadways, bridges, sidewalks, trails, facilities, wastewater and surface water infrastructure—while partnering closely with Environmental Services, Tacoma Public Utilities, and other City teams to guide projects from construction through completion.

In this role, you will inspect diverse construction and installation work such as water and electrical systems, streets, concrete structures, municipal sewers, street lighting and traffic signal systems, bridges, and retaining walls. Core responsibilities include enforcing compliance with project specifications, City ordinances, environmental regulations, and permit requirements. In this role, you will also verify grades; perform field testing of materials such as sand, gravel, concrete, and aggregates; and monitor trenching, placement, backfilling, streetlight foundations, and pole installations. You’ll coordinate with contractors to resolve field issues, adjust work plans, track bid items, and support preparation of contractor payments. Inspectors review plans and specifications for accuracy and compliance, coordinate public and private utility relocations, maintain detailed project records, and communicate with the public regarding construction activities. The role also involves operating field equipment and City vehicles, and may include providing training, guidance, or work direction to other staff. Advanced-level positions may lead more complex project inspections and broader coordination efforts.

Tacoma Water

Tacoma Water is seeking a Construction Inspector to support a wide range of complex Capital Improvement Projects and private development work that ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the region’s potable water infrastructure. This position offers the opportunity to work across an expansive service area—including Tacoma, Pierce and King Counties, Federal Way, and Puyallup—with key system interconnections to Auburn, Bonney Lake, Black Diamond, and Covington.

Inspectors oversee diverse civil, hydraulic, and water-system construction, including supply and distribution pipelines, water quality facilities, and critical infrastructure serving residential customers, commercial areas, and medical centers. Core responsibilities include enforcing compliance with project specifications, City ordinances, environmental regulations, and permit requirements; participating in design reviews and facilitating field adjustments to ensure facilities are built as engineered; tracking project progress and documenting field changes; and verifying adherence to contract payment processes and Standard Specifications. Inspectors also serve as primary liaisons to contractors, engineers, and public agencies, ensuring clear, professional communication throughout construction.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. A Water Distribution Manager (WDM) II certification is preferred and demonstrates technical proficiency with potable water systems.

Environmental Services

The Environmental Services Division provides a unique opportunity for Construction Inspectors to work on a wide variety of complex capital improvement projects as they progress through their careers. The types of projects can cover the full spectrum of typical municipal infrastructure improvements associated with Wastewater, Stormwater, and Solid Waste Utilities and partnering with the City's Public Works Department and Tacoma Public Utilities.

Planning and Development Services

Construction Inspectors within Planning and Development Services oversee a broad range of private development activity in the public right-of-way and on private property. Inspectors ensure compliance with approved plans, municipal codes, and adopted standards related to streets, sidewalks, parking, landscaping, grading, stormwater, wastewater, and accessibility. Inspectors assigned to the Regulatory Compliance division also respond to public complaints and proactively enforce building, site development, land use, and nuisance regulations, including investigation of unpermitted work and violations of the City’s adopted construction and property maintenance codes.

An equivalent combination to:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent supplemented by college-level courses related to inspection work; and
• Three years' experience in field or office engineering work involving construction phase reviews;

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

• MS Office products like Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Theory and operation of water supply and distribution systems.
• Construction specifications and plans.
• Regulations related to public works, water systems, underground power and street lighting construction by contract.
• Underground construction to include underground utilities.
• Grading operations and the preparation of sub-grades.
• Basic principles and practices of engineering.
• Inspection and testing techniques related to weights and measuring devices.
• Technical aspects of field of specialty.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Methods, equipment and materials used in construction inspection.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Read, prepare and understand engineering plans and specifications.
• Perform construction inspections and tests.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Learn to interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Understand, follow and provide verbal and written directions.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Apply
All interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position. Cover letter is optional.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the supplemental questions scored. Applicants must receive a passing score to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. Applicants whose experience and training most closely reflect the needs of the department may be invited to participate in an interview.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check and a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and the Local 17. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $43.52 - $55.54

Annual Salary: $90,521.60 - $115,523.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma