Chief Electrical Inspector

Chief Electrical Inspector

Salary

$110,281.60 - $155,251.20 Annually

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Non-Classified

Job Number

P1450-25

Department

Power

Opening Date

06/25/2025

Closing Date

7/9/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Tacoma Power is seeking a highly experienced and knowledgeable Chief Electrical Inspector to lead our electrical inspection team. This pivotal role holds the ultimate authority in interpreting and enforcing the National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by the Tacoma Municipal Code within Tacoma Power's service territory.

As the Chief Electrical Inspector, you will be responsible for the comprehensive oversight of all electrical inspection operations, ensuring the safety and compliance of electrical installations throughout our community.

Key Responsibilities

+ Leadership & Supervision: Provide direct supervision and guidance to a team of 10 electrical inspectors, ensuring efficient and effective execution of electrical inspections and plan reviews.

+ Code Enforcement & Interpretation: Serve as the final authority on the interpretation of the National Electrical Code and Tacoma Municipal Code, providing clear direction to personnel and addressing complex code questions from owners and contractors.

+ Operational Excellence: Oversee daily business functions, including inspection scheduling and plan review processes, and identify opportunities for process improvements, particularly concerning mobile platform enhancements.

+ Appeals & Variances: Make final determinations on compliance with electrical codes, review and rule on appeals, and evaluate requests for variances.

+ Communication: Prepare and respond to correspondence regarding code violations, and provide expert code interpretations via phone, email, and other written communication.

+ Budget & Training: Manage budget review and execution, ensure staff enrollment in and completion of necessary training, and verify ongoing electrical license maintenance through continuing education.

+ Code Development & Collaboration: Prepare code revisions and amendments for management recommendations and collaborate with Tacoma Police, Fire, and Building Departments on task force inspection programs.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*

High School Diploma or equivalent and completion of an electrical apprenticeship; or bachelors degree in electrical engineering, electronics or directly related field

Minimum Experience*

5 years of related industry experience, including four (4) years as journey electrician and 1 year of lead/supervisory experience

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

Washington State Driver's License

Washington State Master Electrician/ME01 or Administrator and EL01 License, desired

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Elise Drennen, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn!

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Tacoma Power

Tacoma Power ( is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 170,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources office at ... before 5pm on the closing date.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling ....

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Do you have an equivalent combination to a High School Diploma or equivalent and completion of an electrical apprenticeship; or bachelors degree in electrical engineering, electronics or directly related field AND 5 years of related industry experience, including four (4) years as journey electrician and 1 year of lead/supervisory experience? *Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you have a Washington State Master Electrician/ME01 or Administrator and EL01 License?

+ Yes

+ No

03

Do you have a valid Washington State Driver's License?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Describe your direct experience in a leadership or supervisory role within an electrical inspection or code enforcement team. What was your biggest challenge in that role, and how did you overcome it? OR Tell us about your experience with interpreting and applying the National Electrical Code (NEC). Can you provide a specific example where your interpretation of a complex NEC section led to a critical decision or resolution? OR This position involves making final determinations on code compliance and reviewing appeals. Walk us through your experience in these areas. What's your process for ensuring fairness and accuracy in such decisions?

05

One of the City's Principles that guide us is equity. In detail, describe any opportunities you have participated in to increase your knowledge of equity, inclusion or diversity. What have you learned and how have you worked to bring awareness/change towards bias and equity in the workplace?

06

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

+ Job Interest Card notification

+ Professional organization

+ Military organization

+ City of Tacoma employee

+ Online job board posting

+ Word of mouth

+ LinkedIn

+ Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)

+ Indeed

+ Facebook

+ Instagram

+ Careers in Government

+ Government Jobs

+ Outreach Event

+ National Diversity Network

+ African American Job Network

+ Disability Job Network

+ Asian Job Network

+ Latino Job Network

+ Retirement Job Network

+ LGBT Job Network

+ Veteran Job Network

+ Other

07

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

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