The City of South Lake Tahoe is recruiting for a Senior/Principal Building Inspector. Position level will be determined based on candidate experience.
Recruitment Timeline
Applications Accepted: March 31, 2026 - April 21, 2026
Oral Panel Interview: Week of May 11, 2026
Department Interview: Mid-Late May 2026
Benefits
The City offers a comprehensive benefit package for this position, including: - Senior Building Inspector: $39.48 - $47.99/hour
Principal Building Inspector: $43.42 - $52.78/hour - Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
- Education Incentive Pay and Tuition Reimbursement
- Bilingual Incentive Pay for fluency in Spanish
- 88 Hours of Vacation Time
- 12 days of Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Gym Reimbursement
- Professional Development Opportunities
- CalPERS Pension Plan
- City employees may also qualify for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
Summary Description
The Senior/Principal Building Official, performs a variety of inspections on commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, and limited fire-protection systems inspection duties, at various stages of construction, alteration, and repair; reviews a variety of construction drawings; and provides information and assistance to the public.
Identifying characteristics
SeniorBuildingInspector This is the full journey level technical class in the Building Inspector series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Building Inspector by the performance of the full range of combination building and limited fire-protection system inspection duties for residential, commercial, and industrial building projects as assigned. Employees at this level are expected to be fully knowledgeable of applicable adopted codes and other applicable regulations. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and are generally filled by advancement from the Building Inspector level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience. Advancement to the "Senior" level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions and/or certification or testing that validates the performance of the full range of duties and is at the discretion of higher level supervisory or management staff.
To read the full job description for the Senior Building Inspector position, please clickhere.
Principal Building Inspector
The Principal Building Inspector is the advanced journey level technical class in the Building Inspector series. Positions in this class perform the more complex building inspections on structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and limited fire-protection systems, requiring the use of considerable independent judgment and initiative. The Principal Building Inspector classification is distinguished from other classes in the Building Inspector series by the responsibility assumed for supervising and coordinating field inspection operations, providing training to less experienced staff, as well as for performing the more complex duties assigned to positions within this series. Individuals must have ability to sign off on plan checks for designated areas of responsibility.
To read the full job description for the Principal Building Inspector position, please clickhere.The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:- Construction codes, including building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, fire and others.
- Principles, materials, and methods used in building design and construction.
- Principles and techniques used in building inspection work.
- Permit processing procedures.
Ability to:- Read, understand and interpret construction blueprints, plans and specifications.
- Inspect and analyze standard building construction and identify code violations.
- Prepare accurate and precise reports and records.
- Use safe work practices.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience Guidelines-Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Senior Building Inspector
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:
Two years of responsible experience comparable to that of a Building Inspector with the City of South Lake Tahoe.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid California or Nevada driver's license.
Possession of an ICC (International Code Council) Building Inspector certification plus one additional certification in one of a series of designated specialties, e.g.: mechanical, plans examiner, fire, electrical, or plumbing.
Principal Building Inspector
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training and/or college level course work in inspection methods, architecture, structural or civil engineering, construction, building codes, or a related field.
Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible journey level building inspection experience supplemented by journey level construction trade experience.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid California or Nevada driver's license.
Possession of an appropriate ICC (International Code Council) certificate as a Combination Inspector.
Possession of plans examiner certification or designated trade specialist (e.g.: electrical inspector) is highly desirable.The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites; occasionally works in outside weather conditions; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
The City of South Lake Tahoe is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Disaster Service Worker
All full-time, permanent City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
