Job Details

Salary : $86,464.14 - $102,577.49 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-11-9012
Department: Planning
Division: Building and Safety
Opening Date: 11/24/2025
Closing Date: 12/8/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY

is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley is now accepting applications for Assistant Inspector in the Rental Housing Safety Program, in the Building & Safety Division of the Planning Department. The Assistant Inspector will learn every aspect of the housing inspection process including housing code enforcement, administrative and accounting functions, building permit review and issuance, gaining and cultivating good customer service skills, studying and learning how to enforce the Berkeley Municipal Code and the California Building Standards Codes, and refining inspection techniques. Upon approval from the Building Official, the Assistant Inspector will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by performing housing inspections in the field throughout the City of Berkeley as allowed by State regulations and under the guidance of a Housing Inspector. These inspections will gradually increase in scope and difficulty as new skills and knowledge are acquired and confidence grows.
See the full job specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and:

1. Two years of full-time paid experience in one of the following:
   1. Building, civil, or architectural design drafting;
   2. Building, housing, or home inspection;
   3. Code enforcement;
   4. Permit processing;
   5. Performing carpentry, electrical, heating and refrigeration, plumbing, or similar work; OR
2. Three years of full-time experience in support of building inspections, housing inspections, or code enforcement; OR
3. Completion of two years of education in a recognized college or university with completion of 12 semester or 16 quarter units in any of the following or similar areas: civil or structural engineering, construction technology, design, inspection technology, architectural drafting, mechanical or, electrical engineering.

Other requirements: Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill job responsibilities. When driving on city business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

In addition to the qualifications mentioned above, the ideal candidate will be a quick learner with a solid grasp of construction, detail-oriented organization, and tech proficiency. They will communicate professionally and patiently with diverse individuals, demonstrating strong customer service and a team-player attitude across office, field, and hearing environments.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on December 8, 2025 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ...@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application filing period close date)
• Review of Supplemental Questionnaire
• Training & Experience Review

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley 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 City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to the full family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the full family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $25,000 (Maintenance and Clerical Chapters) or $50,000 (Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Activity Leaders). Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation
New employees accrue 2 to 4 weeks of vacation annually, depending on classification (see )

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance
Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU)
01

Do you have a High School diploma or Equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02

Check the area(s) in which you have 2 (two) years of full-time paid experience.Please note that your experience must be described under the Work History of this application.

• Building, civil, or architectural design drafting
• Building, housing, or home inspection
• Code enforcement
• Permit processing
• Performing carpentry, electrical, heating and refrigeration, plumbing, or similar work
• Not applicable

03

Do you have 3 (three) years of full-time experience in support of building inspections, housing inspections, or code enforcement? If so, please include job title(s), employer(s), and dates of employment. Please note that an in-depth description of your duties must also be listed under the Work History of your application. If no experience, type "N/A".
04

Have you completed 2 (two) years of education in a recognized college or university with completion of 12 semester or 16 quarter units in any of the following or similar areas: civil or structural engineering, construction technology, design, inspection technology, architectural drafting, mechanical or, electrical engineering? Please indicate courses and number of units below.
05

I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes

Required Question