Construction Inspector

Description

The civil inspector’s main duty is to provide quality assurance by conducting daily field inspections of the work taking place and documenting the work as observed in the field.

Other duties include: reviewing plans and specifications and other contract documents, verifying quantities for progress payments and contract change orders, reviewing submittals and requests for information, coordinating with outside utility companies, agencies and contractors, monitoring complaints and addressing other public requests, performing survey work and constructability reviews of plans and specifications.

A civil inspector may either work for a private firm, the state or local agency or district and must have a general knowledge of civil construction. Civil construction generally includes maintenance, design and construction of both natural and physically built environments such as roads, railways, buildings, water reservoirs and plants, subdivisions, airports, bridges, sewer systems, tunnels and dams.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Inspectors need to have a basic understanding of the construction process from design through project closeout. The inspector is the eyes and ears representing the owner or stakeholders and the inspector’s understanding of construction is relied upon to ensure the project is built properly with the end user in mind.

In addition, the inspector is often the role between the designer and contractor and therefore must have a basic understanding of design and how things are built to provide timely and appropriate feedback when changes occur.

Abilities: civil inspectors must have the ability to read, review and interpret plans, specifications and other contract documents, communicate well with other project team members, work with owners, stakeholders, contractors and designers to accomplish project goals in a team environment, handle difficult situations and help resolve issues as they arise in the field by evaluating and conveying technical information to the project team, communicate with outside utility companies and agencies, and prepare clear and concise daily reports.

Education and Experience

Minimum of a high school education is a pre-requisite

Examples of Additional Education

B.S. or A.S. Engineering (not mandatory)

B.S. or A.S. Construction Management (not mandatory)

Project Management Institute certifications including Project Management Professional (PMP)

Construction Management Association of America certifications including Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

International Code Council certifications including reinforced concrete, structural steel and bolting, structural masonry, and structural welding

American Public Works Association certifications including the Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII), and Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM)

Stormwater Certifications including Qualified SWPP Practitioner (QSP), CESWI, CISEC

Previous experience may come from a variety of backgrounds including tradesmen, engineers, project managers and engineers as well as public works staff.

While the list of certifications and experience above are good to have as a civil inspector, in some cases there are no pre-requisites, other than a high school education, to get into the role.

A public works inspector who only observes minor encroachment work would not need nearly as much experience or certifications as an inspector who primarily observes treatment plant work.

Steps to becoming a civil inspector

A great place to start as a civil inspector is the public sector. State or municipal inspectors are typically exposed to a wide variety of civil construction projects. Typical state and municipal projects include roadways, sewer, water and drainage systems, parks, street lighting, etc.

Larger municipalities may have projects which include treatment plants, bridges, larger public facilities and government building, interchanges and highways, etc.

Source: Tanner Pacific, San Carlos (tannerpacific.com) Tanner logo