Lead Construction Inspector - Water/Wastewater

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Job Description:

Are you an experienced construction inspector who has worked on large, complex water and wastewater treatment facilities? Parsons is seeking a Lead Construction Inspector to serve as the owner’s lead field representative on major water infrastructure programs in Orange County, California.

The work spans treatment facility construction, slant wells and raw water conveyance, pump stations and storage, and pipeline and outfall improvements — delivered in active public settings under significant regulatory and environmental scrutiny.

As Lead Inspector, you will direct the project’s inspection staff, set the standard for field documentation quality, and serve as the owner’s eyes on the work. You will report to the Resident Engineer and work alongside the Construction Manager, project controls team, and specialty technical leads. The salary for this position will be based on prevailing wage determination guidelines per the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).

Responsibilities:

• Lead, schedule, and mentor the inspection team across multiple concurrent work fronts, including night and off-hours work as construction activity requires.

• Observe and document whether the work conforms to the contract documents, approved submittals, and applicable permit conditions.

• Prepare and oversee daily construction reports covering activities, equipment and personnel onsite, observation hours, weather, and measured progress.

• Maintain a labeled, indexed photographic record of daily activities, and perform preconstruction documentation of existing streets, driveways, sidewalks, and landscaping that may be affected by construction.

• Prepare reports of deviations and non-conforming work, coordinate resolution with the contractor, and escalate unresolved issues to the Resident Engineer.

• Monitor contractor compliance with federal, state, and local safety requirements, including OSHA and trenching and excavation regulations.

• Support RFI responses, submittal reviews, and constructability input based on direct field observation, and coordinate with the owner’s geotechnical consultant for materials testing and deputy inspection.

• Verify installed quantities and measured progress to support monthly payment applications and change order evaluation.

• Support startup, commissioning, functional testing, and performance testing, and develop and close out punch lists through project completion.

• Coordinate daily with the owner, contractor, utilities, public lands and regulatory agencies, and adjacent stakeholders to anticipate conflicts and protect public access and operations.

• Maintain all inspection documentation within the project’s electronic document management system (Procore).

Required Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in a technical discipline or construction-related field, or a high school diploma and equivalent work experience, is required. Also requires 10+ years of related experience on field projects, as well as formal certification from an independent organization, depending on type of inspection assignment. Some knowledge of public works contracts may be preferred. Construction safety training including CalOSHA 10 hour training and Parsons SHARP training.
• 10+ years of construction inspection experience on public works projects, including at least 5 years inspecting water, wastewater, or advanced water treatment facilities.

• Demonstrated experience as a lead or chief inspector directing other inspectors on a project exceeding $100 million in construction value.

• Working knowledge of process mechanical construction — pumps, valves, high-pressure piping, membrane treatment equipment, and chemical feed systems — as well as cast-in-place concrete, structural steel, yard piping, and underground conveyance.

• Familiarity with alternative project delivery (design-build, progressive design-build, or CMAR) and the inspector’s role in an owner’s representative capacity.

• Proven ability to produce clear, defensible daily reports and non-conformance documentation that will withstand claims and audit scrutiny.

• Experience working under prevailing wage and Project Labor Agreement requirements, and on state- or federally funded projects.

• Proficiency with electronic construction management platforms (Procore preferred), Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office.

• Effective organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the judgment to know when to resolve an issue in the field and when to elevate it.

• Valid California driver’s license; must provide own transportation to and from the job site.

• Ability to traverse active construction sites, including confined spaces, excavations, and elevated work areas, and to lift up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree or certificate in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

• ICC certifications (Reinforced Concrete, Structural Welding, Soils, or Commercial Building Inspector) and/or NICET certification in Construction Materials Testing.

• Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII)

• Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Associate Constructor (AC), or DBIA certification.

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification and current first aid/CPR.

• Prior inspection experience on membrane treatment, potable reuse, or desalination facilities.

• Experience with well drilling, development, and wellhead construction.

• Prior experience on coastal projects or projects on public lands with associated permit conditions.

Security Clearance Requirement:

NoneThis position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people’s quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers’ visions—and to help them see what's next!Salary Range: $15.68 - $71.30We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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