Company Description
Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:
Application Opening: November 4, 2026.
Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than November 18, 2026.
Annual Salary Range: $142,012 - $172,666.
Appointment Type: This is a Temporary Provisional (TPV (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/role-@types/) ) position, limited to no more than 3 years in duration. This temporary position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process. This is considered "at will" and shall serve at the discretion of the Department Head. This position will be subject to the Permanent Civil Service examination process at a later date. Successful participation in the Permanent Civil Service examination and selection through an open competitive process is needed in order to be considered for the permanent appointment.
What We Do: The Department of Building Inspection (DBI (https://www.sf.gov/departments--department-building-inspection) ) oversees the effective, efficient, fair, and safe enforcement of City building, housing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and disability access codes for San Francisco's more than 200,000 buildings. This position is located at 49 South Van Ness in the following division/unit: Plumbing Inspection Division (PID).
Under general supervision, plumbing inspectors physically inspect all plumbing, gas appliance, low pressure boiler, and fire sprinkler installation, maintenance and repair work to assure compliance with existing codes, laws, ordinances, approved plans and specifications; explain the applications of existing codes, laws, methods and procedures relative to the installation of plumbing and mechanical facilities; make regular contact with the general public and other departments in connection with the inspection and enforcement of existing codes and laws; provide written and oral reports of inspection activities; drive a vehicle to inspection sites; and perform related duties as required.
Distinguishing Features: This is the entry-level position in the Plumbing Inspector series. It is distinguished from the 6246 Senior Plumbing Inspector by the latter's supervisory duties and responsibility for performing more difficult and complex inspection work.
MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.
Inspects all plumbing, mechanical, gas appliance, low-pressure boiler and fire sprinkler installation, maintenance and repair work to assure compliance with existing plumbing and mechanical codes, laws and ordinances; approves plans and specifications.
Explains the application of existing codes, laws, methods and procedures relative to the installation of plumbing and mechanical facilities.
Makes regular contact with construction professionals, the general public and other departments in connection with the inspection and enforcement of existing codes and laws.
Provides written and oral reports of inspection activities and plan be able to plan check.
Drives a vehicle to inspection sites, meetings, hearings, emergency activities and other related events.
Determines the nature and severity of violations and makes necessary referrals to other inspection groups and agencies and may coordinate building, plumbing and electrical inspections.
Advises and consults with building owners, design professionals, contractors and others on the correction of code deficiencies with respect to plumbing and mechanical code standards
Testifies as an expert witness in court litigation involving plumbing and mechanical code violations.
Authorizes abatement orders or emergency orders for correction to be issued; makes inspections, prepares reports and testifies in court on abatement proceedings.
Issues reports and conducts follow-up inspections leading to the correction of violations or abatement proceedings
Conducts statistical surveys and provides data regarding code enforcement as required.
Assists in the training of new inspectors by introducing them to departmental procedures and working alongside them in the field and in the office to ensure that their inspections and reports are accurate and timely.
Issues misdemeanor citations on plumbing and mechanical violations which may result in participation in arrest procedures.
Makes investigations of complaints of violation of plumbing, water and gas codes and ordinances;
Makes periodic inspections of various buildings and institutions for conditions which might cause water supply contamination.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: plumbing and mechanical system design and installation practices; plumbing and mechanical materials and their uses; existing ordinances, regulations and code requirements regarding the installation and maintenance of plumbing and mechanical systems; and modern construction methods and techniques, particularly as applied to plumbing and mechanical phases of construction projects.
Ability to: read and interpret plans and specifications of plumbing and mechanical system installations; deal effectively and courteously with property owners, contractors and the general public; effectively apply knowledge of the plumbing codes and construction procedures to inspection practices; use a computer, software programs and cell phone for work-related purposes.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.
Education and Experience:
Completion of plumbing apprenticeship which has been certified by the State of California and three (3) years of journey-level experience in the trade; OR
A plumbing contractor with a C-36 license issued by the State of California with experience in the trade totaling eight (8) years.
License and Certification:
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Possession of the UPC Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector Certification, issued by the International Association of Plumbing Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), is required within one (1) year of appointment. Inspectors must maintain the certification as a condition of continued employment.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions: Must be willing to work under hazardous conditions such as: small enclosed areas, dangerous heights and general construction conditions.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#qualifications) and Verification of Experience and/or Education (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#verification) for considerations taken when reviewing applications
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification
All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Selection Process: Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Information About the Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference (http://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#veteranspreference)
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#copies)
Diversity Statement
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.
HOW TO APPLY
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process. No other methods of application will be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.
Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Upon successful submission, applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov. Keep this email for your records. If you do not receive it, your application was not submitted successfully.
Recruitment Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst Jason Hammack via email at Jason.Hammack@sfgov.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
