Construction Inspector

Job Description:

A Construction Inspector plays an increasing role in inspection and oversight of the construction process for buildings or infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railways. The duties of Construction Inspectors/Construction Engineers include upholding the use of quality materials and procedures, adhering to budgets for tasks or materials, and ensuring that construction practices align with the owner’s expectations.

This is a full-time position with benefits (PTO, Health Insurance, HSA, 401k, LTD, STD, LF).

Duties and responsibilities:

The Construction Inspector typically works in a (company or client/project) field office or at the project site. Some important duties and responsibilities of a Construction Inspector include:

• Inspect construction activities for compliance to plans and specifications

• Measure quantities of installed materials

• Accurately complete and upload documentation (e.g., Inspector’s Daily Report, Daily Activity Reports, progress photographs)

• Conduct analyses of the project costs/budgets, schedules, and deliverables

• Establish risk factors that can affect project delivery, then manage and mitigate them to ensure construction goes on smoothly

• Enforce standards, regulations, and health and safety protocols on-site

• Collaborate with other professionals on multi-disciplined projects

• Liaise with local authorities regarding licenses and permits for the project

Skills and qualifications:

A successful Construction Inspector candidate has various prerequisite skills and qualifications, such as:

• Experience with roadway construction, including IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and municipal projects

• Working knowledge of construction plans, standards, including Illinois Standard Specifications of Roads & Bridges, and relevant regulations and safety requirements

• IDOT Documentation of Contract Quantities certification

• Developing proficiency in all aspects of construction inspection, project management, cost control and problem solving

• Ability to work as a part of a multi-discipline team

• Planning, organization, analytical, and decision-making skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Developing supervisory skills

• Valid Driver's License required

Education and training requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in construction, architecture, engineering, or other relevant discipline is preferred. These courses provide a strong background in core subjects such as mathematics, building and construction technology, and engineering.

A Construction Inspector will typically have taken (or plan to take) the Documentation of Contract Quantities course and often have taken (or plan to take) the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and, after gaining about four years of experience, they typically pursue a Professional Engineering (PE) license.

Additional options to pursue for professional certification include project management, Project Management Professional (PMP), or construction management certifications, especially a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification.

Experience requirements:

A Construction Inspector should be proficient through on-job experience in construction projects. A Construction Inspector must have good understanding of managerial skills while working with contractors, Construction Engineers, Construction Managers, or other experts in the construction industry; and they are advancing knowledge of construction procedures, health and safety protocols of project sites, and financial estimation skills.

A capable Construction Inspector may progress to Associate Construction Inspector and Project Construction Engineer or Construction Manager levels, and may develop to a Project Manager. They know how to identify and mitigate risks and can deliver project tasks within budget and on time. Experience typically includes working 2 to 8 years in the construction, engineering, and architecture industry or with a state or local government entity.