This is the supervisor and/or expert technical specialist level of the series. Working as part of the management team for the agency’s Electrical Program, positions supervise, direct, mentor, and counsel electrical inspector staff ensuring work is done in accordance with the National Electrical Code, state laws, rules and regulations and/or serves as an assigned program expert performing highly complex electrical wiring inspections in one or more areas of the program (field inspection; virtual electrical inspections; electrical compliance, outreach, regulation, and education; audits, and plans). Provides expert level interpretation to staff regarding electrical RCWs, policies and codes directly related to electrical wiring methods; provides guidance and consultation to management on highly complex specialized technical issues with long-range impacts to the program and agency.

Supervises lower-level staff in the series; recommends hiring of staff, coaches, mentors and directs subordinate staff in the accomplishment of their assigned duties and responsibilities; develops training plans, monitors subordinate adherence to established training plans and evaluates the work performance of all subordinate staff;

Reviews field and office procedures of electrical inspectors at least quarterly to assure uniformity and compliance with field services and electrical program central office policies and procedures;

In conjunction with regional managers and electrical program central office staff, fosters customer feedback to identify process improvements for service delivery to all regional customers of the electrical program; maintains positive working relationships with external customers;

Schedules and coordinates all work within assigned region;

Conducts or assists lower-level electrical construction inspectors with difficult or highly complex electrical inspections; monitors and resolves inspection problem areas and acts as a liaison between field services staff (managers and field inspectors) and the central office technical specialists and Chief;

Independently handles politically sensitive or hazardous inspections, working to resolve problems arising between electrical users, contractors, utilities companies, workers and the Department; represents the region and/or electrical program at constituent meetings;

Provides interpretation and guidance to staff, to ensure conformity with department interpretation of applicable RCWs, WACs, and the NEC, and coordinates interpretation with electrical program central office;

Maintains technical knowledge of new technologies in the electrical field, and changes and updates to the electrical code (NEC) for industrial, commercial and residential installations; conveys and explains code changes, policies, procedures and interpretations to field inspectors;

Prepares management reports for both field services and electrical program central office; composes correspondence, prepares reports and keeps accurate work records;

Is a participating member of the regional supervisory/management team assisting with specialized assignments and projects; through the matrix management process, assists central offices with special projects and assignments (such as process improvement, work-place safety, special electrical investigations, and productivity measures); attends electrical program staff meetings;

Monitors and tracks the performance of staff that report directly to them. Ensures that Electrical Construction Inspector 1 positions are successful in their training plan and are on track to complete it in the specified time. Evaluating in training plans in the required cadence;

Participates in preconstruction meetings with engineers and building officials;

Testifies in court to the content and application of the RCW and WAC;

Tracks, monitors and assigns equipment to staff assigned to the work unit; researches equipment and other staffing needs, identifying budgetary needs and recommendations;

Attends continuing education training to maintain electrical license;

Performs other work as assigned.

Knowledge of: Electrical Installation Law, RCW 19.28, National Electrical Code and Washington State Wiring Rules and Regulations, and current interpretations, standard practices, methods, materials, tools and equipment of electrical trade; industry hazards and safety precautions; computing electrical loads; layout and operation of electrical circuits; principles of supervision.

Ability to: supervise and coordinate work for group of electrical inspectors; read and interpret plans and blueprints of electrical installations; interpret and apply electrical codes; explain effectively with people; prepare clear, concise reports.

The following legal requirements are necessary for positions in this category. Per RCW 19.28.321 positions require a valid Washington General Journey Level Electrical (EL01) license issued by the Department of Labor and Industries and no less than four years of experience as a journey level electrician in the electrical construction trade installing and maintaining electrical wiring and equipment or four years of experience as a journey level electrician performing the duties of an electrical inspector employed by the department or a city or town with an approved inspection program under RCW 19.28.141.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Requires completion of the Electrical Construction Inspector 1 requirements and successful completion of the required in-training program and one year as an Electrical Construction Inspector 4.

OR

Requires completion of the Electrical Construction Inspector 1 requirements and successful completion of the required in-training program and two years as an Electrical Construction Inspector 3.

OR

Requires completion of the Electrical Construction Inspector 1 requirements and successful completion of the required in-training program and three years as an Electrical Construction Inspector 2.

Equivalent education/experience.

Some positions may require a driver’s license.

New class: Effective January 11, 1980
Revised minimum qualifications: 6-12-87
Revised minimum qualifications: 5-13-88
Revised definition and minimum qualifications, deletes distinguishing characteristics, title change (formerly Electrical Construction Inspector 2): 12-15-89
Revised minimum qualifications: 9-14-90
Revised minimum qualifications: 9-12-97
Revised definition and title change (formerly Electrical Inspection Field Supervisor): Effective 1-14-99
New class code: (formerly 43360) effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/30/2017, effective 7/1/2017; 63E to 70E.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Add class series concept, revised definition, add distinguishing characteristics, revised typical work, add legal requirements, revised desirable qualifications; adopted June 23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.