What does a construction inspector do?
As a construction inspector, I look over the plans for a project, go to the job site to make sure everyone shows up, and make sure the contractor is adhering closely to their plans submitted in the bid. I need to make sure the materials are correct and that the crew is doing the job the way they should be. If something changes, then the contractor submits documentation for a change order. Sometimes we have to stop working until the documents are finished and pivot ourselves to a different part of the project. That’s what an inspector deals with, day in and day out.
The River Authority is unique in that we have our own internal inspectors, because we are always working on projects adjacent to creeks, rivers, and streams, which require an additional level of attention to detail.
Rita (left, in blue shirt) inspects work on the construction of the latest San Pedro Creek phase.
How was your experience working on the San Pedro Creek Culture Park project?
I’m at the tail end of the San Pedro Creek project and it’s almost coming to an end. It’s sad because I will no longer be working with the main contractor and the subcontractors, but happy at the same time because it’s going to end before the hot weather arrives! I told all the crew to come on down to the Grand Finale and bring their families—to show them all the work because this project is going to last for generations to come. When we completed the first part of the project, many of the crew members showed up for the celebration, bringing their families and even extended families.
The final section of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park opened to the public on Thursday May 15.
The crew kept me on my toes. They always asked me detailed questions. When we got to the railroad section, we had to communicate with the crew using only our hands and bodies because you couldn’t really hear each other because of the loud machinery. Sometimes I didn’t even have to say anything at all. They were one step ahead of me and they would tell me what’s going on, what’s wrong, that they’re working on it, and that they’re fixing it. They were making my job easier every time because they already knew how I worked, and they knew what I was looking for. It was an experience of a lifetime that I’ll never forget working on that portion of the project. To this day, many of the crew members I worked with on the project have become foremen and even superintendents.
What advice would you give to a young person who is interested in becoming an inspector?
Consider it deeply. You gotta’ have a heart and an understanding for this career. You have to look and see if it’s really something you would like to commit to, and to ask yourself if it’s coming from the heart and from your passions. If you enjoy going fishing, seeing your family fishing, or seeing someone just enjoying the peace and quiet along the river and you want to see those experiences preserved and improved, then that is a great start. Maybe you have some new ideas about how to build things by incorporating old and new styles or improving things? That curiosity is great too.
Families enjoy fishing at the Acequia Park boardwalk on the San Antonio River.
Find a mentor. I learned how to be an inspector and read engineering plans through mentorship by a veteran in the field. Find a mentor that’s willing to pass that on to you and you’ll be able to catch on and become an inspector. The people who have been in this field a long time, the “old-timers”, have a great deal of knowledge and can teach you a lot. I always paid attention to what they did. I always looked and listened. Some of the skills of this job can’t be taught in school.
Pay attention to detail. In order to be a successful inspector, you have to train your eye to look at other people’s work and spot the details. Pay attention to all types of details, even minute ones, because that tiny flaw sometimes can become a huge problem. You have to be willing to learn, take criticism, learn from your own mistakes, look and listen to other inspectors on what they’re doing, and ask them why.
You’ve been working at the River Authority for almost 20 years. How was your career journey to get where you are now?
I first started at the River Authority doing contract work for the Utilities department. At that time, there were only about 120 employees at the agency — there are now over 250! After I went through all the plans for utilities, I had a meeting with the manager and the superintendent of the Utilities Department, who tasked me with creating GIS databases for the different departments. Around that time, my contract was coming to an end, and I was hired full time as only the third woman working in the Utilities department. I told management that I wanted the database to be the best database available, easy to work with, with all the information available at your fingertips. At the time I was studying IT in school and learned that it was necessary to create a backup database to house our information, especially after a strong storm came through and almost destroyed our Utilities building.
High quality effluent is discharged from the River Authority’s wastewater treatment plants.
After that initially GIS and database work was finished, I switched to inspection in Utilities and eventually to working on other River Authority projects. Now, I’m a construction inspector. I enjoy working at the River Authority because I see how we give back to the community through beautiful creeks and rivers people can enjoy.
Today’s blog was contributed by Rita Rodriguez, Construction Inspector I at the River Authority. Rita has two decades of experience in a variety of fields and 3 years as a construction inspector. She assists with plan reviews ensuring that construction adheres to regulations, codes, plans, and specifications, maintaining detailed records, communicating with contractors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders to address any issues or concerns, and providing guidance on necessary corrections on any creeks, rivers, or streams as well as any structures along the trails. She is also involved in testing materials like concrete, soil, and water wells and assessing the quality of construction materials.
The “My River POV” series provides readers the opportunity to learn about the unique insight and experiences of the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff and their connection to the San Antonio River in hopes of inspiring stewardship of area creeks and rivers.
