Principal Construction Inspector

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the on our website.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, .

The IRD for this job is: 01/12/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department includes operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry out duties necessary for campus development and operation.

More information can be found at:

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Campus Inspector, the Principal Construction Inspector serves as a high-level expert on fieldwork for the largest and most complex campus construction projects. The incumbent provides a leadership role for the team, mentoring lower-level inspectors and overseeing their work. The Principal Construction Inspector directly supervises subordinate inspectors and represents and fills in for the Campus Inspector when required. The Principal Construction Inspector acts as the lead field project manager, as delegated by the UC PM, and performs code compliance inspections at the highest level, in adherence with California Building Codes for plans and specifications specific to the project, and lends high-level expertise with highly complex projects to assist certified building officials with certificates of occupancy, substantial completion, and beneficial occupancy documents, performing quality assurance with the contractor's quality control team, and assisting the UC project manager (PM) with change order review, comments, and documentation as needed.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $125,000 - $135,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000365 (CONST INSP 4) - Grade 24

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

20% - Team Leadership

• Represents the Campus Inspector and the team in meetings, committees, and collaborative efforts with internal and
  external stakeholders.
• Fills in for the Campus Inspector when required.
• In coordination with the Campus Inspector, provides leadership and strategic direction to staff, aligning unit objectives with departmental and organizational goals.
• Promotes a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and respect within the team.
• Encourages innovation and initiative by creating opportunities for staff input and problem-solving.
• Provides technical guidance and subject-matter expertise to staff performing specialized or complex tasks.
• Supports onboarding and training of new employees by explaining functional processes and expectations.

20% - Staff Supervision

• Reviews work of subordinate staff for technical accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established policies and best practices.
• Establishes clear priorities, communicates expectations, and ensures accountability and compliance with institutional policies, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Coordinates scheduling, workload distribution, and coverage to meet organizational needs.
• Provides ongoing supervision, guidance, and coaching to staff to enhance individual and team performance.
• *Conducts regular performance evaluations, setting measurable goals and development plans.
• Identifies training needs and coordinates professional development opportunities for staff.
• Recognizes and rewards high performance, fostering motivation and engagement.
• Addresses performance issues promptly and constructively, following HR and organizational procedures.

20% - Construction Inspection and Quality Assurance

• Leads activities around inspection of building construction for compliance with plans and specifications, applicable building codes, and quality installation practices in compliance with laws and regulations.
• Reads and interprets plans, maps, and specifications; prepares and provides daily or weekly progress reports.
• Maintains field inspection files, including testing logs, inspection reports, and construction progress photographs.
• Provides information for field and change orders.
• Confirms accuracy of as-built drawings, provides estimates and recommendations for progress payments, and participates in building commissioning, which includes conducting preliminary and final inspections before acceptance of completed projects.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable codes, plans, and specifications, campus standards, and acts in the capacity of deputy to the Director of Inspection Services and the campus, medical center, or other University Building Official.
• Drives a University vehicle to construction sites on and off-campus to monitor the project to ensure safety procedures are being followed in conformance with contract requirements.

20% - Construction Coordination and Support Services

• Leads construction work by providing liaison with project managers, campus clients, design professionals, contractors, and campus maintenance staff as appropriate.
• Coordinates and schedules construction affecting University utilities and operations.
• Reviews and advises on construction techniques and project schedule during project planning stages.
• Obtains and maintains comprehensive information on construction processes, trade practices, and building codes.
• Leads, coordinates, supports, and schedules inspections with stakeholders- including the State or Local Fire Marshall inspections with the contractor.
• Establishes which portions of the work must be inspected prior to being covered and which portions of the work will require an express request for inspection from the contractor. * Schedules construction-related utility shutdowns in conjunction with affected campus departments.
• Participates in meetings with the Campus Inspector, Project Manager, and Contractor to discuss project status, experiences, and best practices.

10% - Documentation

• Monitors construction progress of architectural, structural, MEP, and civil systems.
• Prepares daily electronic inspection, equipment, and manpower count documentation, videos, photos, and memos to document construction activities reports and weekly summaries of work performed.
• Reviews estimates of work progress and recommends approval of progress payments for contractors' work.
• Leads plan check and permit issuance. Reviews documents prior to issuance, such as beneficial occupancy, substantial completion, temporary certificates of occupancy, certificate of occupancy, etc.
• Leads with ADA code compliance. Reviews and inspects all building exterior access projects for compliance with all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, state and local requirements, and acts in coordination with the Access Compliance Officer to confirm alignment with the expectations of that office as applicable.

• Lead and assist with joint CBO and DFM code compliance interpretation and collaborations.

  
  

10% - Administrative Services

• Performs a variety of tasks associated with the campus capital building program.
• Assists with Balcony bill SB 721 support.
• Provides plan review for all plans and specifications within the area of technical expertise for all projects, including meeting and discussing findings, and working towards resolution with appropriate design professionals as required.
• Functions as a SAP Coordinator and works with EH&S.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• International Code Council (ICC), Division of the State Architect (DSA) Certification in one or more construction disciplines (Building Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Plan Reviews etc.)
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Four (4) years of field-related experience in building construction as a journey-level carpenter, electrician, plumber, site utilities, or equivalent experience; with (2) years as an inspector or superintendent of major construction work; or an equivalent combination of education