Electrical Inspector, Residential (5370)

SERIES CONCEPT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR approves or rejects electrical installations, plans, drawings, and designs for proposed installations or alterations based on compliance with applicable codes, laws, rules, and regulations.  Employees inspect new and existing installations to safeguard persons and property from hazards of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling, and for other purposes.  Employees provide technical information to owners, contractors, and installers.

The Electrical Inspector inspects the material and workmanship of new and altered electrical installations for compliance with state adopted codes, laws, rules, and regulations.  Employees work in assigned geographical areas to verify that construction activity is properly authorized and that tradespersons are properly licensed.  Conduct final inspections of buildings.

The Electrical Inspector evaluates information obtained from inspections and compares with applicable codes, rules, laws, and regulations to determine if all safety and code requirements have been met. Employees identify potential risks and researches strategies to mitigate or avoid them, completes and signs inspection reports approving construction, communicates minor or non-life threatening violations by issuing a correction notice to specify violation(s), and communicates major or life threatening violation(s) by issuing a stop work order. 

The Electrical Inspector responds to complaints or requests for information regarding possible licensing and code violations.  This may include visiting active job sites to verify all tradespersons are properly licensed and work performed is properly permitted.  Employees appear and provide testimony in legal proceedings when necessary.  Employees coordinates with other agencies to ensure that all safety and code requirements have been met.

Inspections performed by employees in these classes are governed by State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, and codes governing assigned inspections.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a three-level, discipline specific, classification series.  The classification levels are distinguished by certification requirements and increased complexity of the work.

The responsibilities within the Concept and Distinguishing Features are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with these classes.  Individual positions may do all or some combination of the responsibilities listed as well as other related responsibilities.

Level 1

The Electrical Inspector - Residential is the first level of this three-level series.  Employees inspect new and existing electrical installations, systems, and equipment in residential structures for code compliance.  At this level, somewhat diversified procedures and precedents covering situations govern decisions.  Situations vary and require research to find available answers. 

Level 2

The Electrical Inspector - Commercial and Residential is the second level in this three-level series.  Employees inspect new and existing electrical installations, systems, and equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial settings for code compliance.  Employees inspect highly complex electrical installations and investigate violations, injurious accidents, and complaints reported by industry people or the public to determine whether regulations and statutes have been violated.  Employees examine electrical equipment for suitability, strength, and durability.

Employees at this level provide code interpretation, guidance, training, and counsel on highly technical electrical codes, laws, rules and regulations to owners, contractors, and other industry representatives. Evaluate alternative materials and methods for code conformity and compliance with original plan intent.

Employees at this level have the independence to decide their own priorities.  They apply general policies and guidelines and are guided by objectives.  Situations differ and require research to find available answers.  Issues must be identified and analyzed to figure out interrelationships.  Employees may deviate from established practices provided that the results meet standards.  Exercise judgement in responding to and resolving issues with customers concerning inspections and code compliance.

Evaluate all types of plans and other documents relating to electrical installations in commercial, industrial, public, and single-family and multi-family residential buildings throughout the construction phase for compliance with electrical codes and standards, including those that pose a substantial hazard to human life in the event of a failure. 

Work with applicants to resolve non-compliance issues, so plans can be approved.  Re-evaluate plans after corrections have been made.

Approve or reject construction plans, drawings, engineering calculations, equipment submittals, specifications, and other pertinent data for building or alterations to verify compliance with applicable electrical codes rules, laws, and regulations. 

Evaluate and research new and innovative construction techniques and technologies to verify compliance with laws and codes.

Level 3

The Electrical Inspector - Multi-Discipline is the third of this three-level series.  Employees perform residential structural/mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections of new and remodel or repair and replacement of existing buildings to determine compliance with applicable state building coding standards and requirements.  Perform commercial electrical inspections and plan reviews.

This level has increased complexity by incorporating residential structural/mechanical and plumbing code knowledge for a broader range of inspections.

Electrical Inspector - Residential

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of theory and practices of electrical technology.

Knowledge of codes and regulations governing the electrical industry.

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, precedents, and government regulations relating to plans examination and building inspection.

Skill in observing, receiving, and obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Skill in communicating to convey information effectively.

Skill in using relevant information and individual judgement to determine whether information and processes comply with laws, regulations or standards. 

Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of conclusions and approaches to problems.

Skill in using mathematics to solve problems, including algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.

Skill in writing technical narrative reports.

Skill in recognizing electrical, mechanical and other safety hazards.

Skill in writing technical narrative reports.

Note: For all levels, successful candidate must obtain the required certifications within 60 days of hire.

The KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS (KS) are required for initial consideration. Some duties performed by positions in this class may require different KS. No attempt is made to describe every KS required for all positions in these classes. Additional KS requirements will be explained on the recruiting announcement.

Adopted           07/2019