Housing Inspector

Job Summary

Performs a wide variety of tasks to ensure that housing units and related residential facilities subsidized, owned, funded, or overseen by the City of Santa Monica and/or by the Santa Monica Housing Authority (SMHA) are inspected and meet the federal, state, and local housing quality, health, and safety standards, including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

**Consideration will be given to the first 50 qualifying applications received. We encourage interested candidates to apply early, as later applications will not be reviewed.

Representative Duties

Performs any required inspections of the subsidized housing units and City-owned, City-funded, or City-regulated residential properties to determine that all units meet HUD’s Housing Quality Standards and other applicable federal, state, or local inspection standards.

Conducts re-inspections of failed units to determine if required repairs have been completed.

Prepares monthly inspection schedules and generates inspection appointment letters. Coordinates inspection activities with Housing staff and other City departments, as applicable.

Gathers, maintains and presents accurate inspection reports for inspections performed.

Prepares Housing Quality Standards reports for any informal hearings and rent abatement cases, applicable code enforcement actions, or administrative proceedings that involve Housing Quality Standards or habitability issues.

Prepares and maintains all reports, logs and inspection records required for HUD programs, City housing programs, and applicable performance indicators, including but not limited to the Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP).

Develops and maintains rapport with owners/managers of rental units, developers, contractors, and City partners.

Assists staff, as requested, in the negotiation of lease terms or occupancy agreements as they relate to the condition of each unit.

Provides general information and requirements to the public at large, program participants, owners, developers, and City stakeholders for inspections.

Collects and reviews data from unit inspection. Enters all relevant data required by HUD and the City into applicable inspection or housing management databases.

Prepares computer-based reports, as requested, on any and all inspection activity, including but not limited to, the results of all Housing Quality Standards and habitability findings.

Investigates complaints about the physical condition of units or residential facilities and compiles reports as necessary.

Testifies and prepares written reports during any informal hearings, administrative reviews, or legal proceedings, as needed.

Reviews participant-submitted documentation and program records to ensure completeness, accuracy, and consistency with Housing Authority requirements, and prepares related program correspondence for review and issuance.

Performs a variety of administrative functions related to the efficient and effective inspection of units.

Performs other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, HOME and Serial Inebriate program regulations and procedures

Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Quality Standards, NSPIRE standards, and other applicable federal, state, and local housing inspection standards as they relate to all rental assistance programs administered by the Santa Monica Housing Authority

Local rental market areas

Public relations and customer service skills

Effective interviewing and negotiation techniques

Effective customer service techniques

Ability to:

Understand, interpret and effectively apply Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards and other applicable housing inspection regulations and standardsUnderstand and operate Housing Quality Standards inspection computer software and City data management systems.

Inspect rental units, input required computer data, and communicate Housing Quality Standards to property owners, program participants, developers, and City staff.

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Organize, file and record accurate records

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the public

Work with persons from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches

Provide effective customer service

Skill in:

Dealing with program participants in a constructive and supportive manner

Reading, writing and communicating in English at a professional level

Using a personal computer and applicable software applications

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college with an associate of arts degree. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Experience: One year of recent, paid work experience implementing Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards regulations or performing housing or residential property inspections for federally funded, state-funded, City-administered housing programs, a closely related housing inspection program or in a public-facing role involving regulatory compliance, case management, enforcement, or customer service functions within a government or public-sector setting. Additional qualifying work experience may substitute for educational requirements on a year for year basis.

Fluency in Spanish is desirable.

Successful completion of a Housing Quality Standards or comparable housing inspection training program is desirable.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a valid Class C driver license.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.

If you would like for your education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the filing deadline. Failure to do so may result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.

Selection Process:

All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applications will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of a combination of any of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate:

Training and Experience Evaluation

Oral Interview

If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

Note: Internal staff who submit transfer applications must notify the analyst in charge of the recruitment, via email, upon submission of their transfer application.

Background Investigation:

Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

Inclusion & Diversity Statement

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 4/2/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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