Electrical Inspector, Electrical/Building Inspector, Combination Inspector

Ready to drive your career to the next level?  The City of Bellingham's Planning and Community Development Department is now hiring an electrical inspector. The City provides the opportunity for a dynamic variety of work, from basic residential to complex commercial and industrial projects. Training will be provided as well as all necessary tools, so bring your experience and willingness to learn. All Certifications are paid by the City. Join us in creating a safely built environment for Bellingham!

The City offers hourly pay, sick/vacation accruals, annual pay increases and excellent benefits.  The Electrical Inspector Series provides opportunities to advance your career through time and achievement of certifications. Gain new experiences for a long-term career with the City of Bellingham!

This position performs complex inspections of new and existing industrial, commercial, multi-family and single-family buildings evaluating electrical systems installations; building construction; mechanical systems; plumbing systems; ventilation and indoor air quality to ensure minimum standards exist for fire and life safety; structural integrity and public welfare as well as ensuring compliance with laws, codes and regulations. Reviews construction plans to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Code and related codes, laws and regulations. Investigates compliance complaints. Approves or disapproves the work completed by a contractor or builder and makes recommendations to the contractor for making corrections to meet applicable codes.

Benefits:
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
• Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 04/15/24, 8:00 AM Pacific Time

An individual in this position will move through the series in non-competitive promotions upon completing the necessary requirements and certifications for each Level. NOTE: A person with the requisite experience and training may be hired in at Electrical/Building Inspector or Combination Inspector levels. 

The current starting hourly rate is at Step 1. The full salary ranges for each position are: 

• Electrical Inspector:  $33.43 - $40.71 per hour
• Electrical/Building Inspector: $35.48 - $43.23 per hour
• Combination Inspector: $39.91 - $48.64 per hour

These positions are represented by a union. For external candidates, placement within the range is based on qualifications and professional experience in accordance with City policy.  For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
 

1. Inspects electrical systems and components in commercial and residential buildings. Electrical/Building Inspectors and Combination Inspectors inspect buildings under construction. Approves or disapproves work observed; issues correction notices; issues stop work orders; generates inspection records to confirm and document that each aspect of construction, alteration or repair complies with applicable codes, regulations, policies and approved plans. Electrical/Building Inspector inspections include foundations, reinforcement, framing, structural steel and masonry components in commercial and residential buildings. Combination Inspector inspections include all of the above as well as plumbing, mechanical, energy conservation, barrier-free or similar systems, components, appliances, equipment and installations in commercial and residential buildings. 

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
 
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

• Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Mobility necessary to safely move about construction sites and stand, sit, or bend in awkward positions;
• Lift and carry objects up to forty (40) pounds.

 
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
 
Work is shared between office and field environments in a frequently stressful atmosphere.  Office work is performed at the public counter or in an office setting, using computers, phones and other office equipment.   Field work is performed at construction sites in various states of completion, requiring standard safety practices including safety shoes and hard hats.  Construction projects frequently require climbing ladders, construction stairs, scaffolding and steep sites.  Access to under-floor areas and attic spaces require bending, kneeling and crawling.  Lighting may be limited, movement may be restricted, loud noises may be present, and terrain may be rugged.  Sites may be wet and slippery.  All weather conditions should be expected.  Inspectors should expect to enter and exit their vehicle many times each day.  May involve lifting and carrying paper files, large rolls of plans, or boxes of records.ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR:

• High school graduation or equivalency (GED).
• Four years of experience as a journey-level electrician or equivalent experience as defined by RCW 19.28.321.
• Possess and maintain a journey-level electrician license (or temporary license) issued by the State of Washington.
• Experience and/or training as an electrical inspector with a municipality preferred.
• Must secure and maintain International Code Council Electrical Inspector Certification within one year of hire
• Must secure and maintain International Code Council Building Inspector Certification within two years of hire

ELECTRICAL/BUILDING INSPECTOR:

• All of the requirements of Electrical Inspector and:  
• Two years of experience as an Electrical Inspector with the City of Bellingham or an equivalent position with another jurisdiction.
• International Code Council (ICC) Electrical Inspector certification.
• International Code Council (ICC) Building Inspector certification. 
• Must secure and maintain ICC Mechanical Inspector Certification within one year of hire or promotion into position
• Must secure and maintain International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Universal Plumbing Code (UPC) Plumbing Inspector Certification or ICC Plumbing Inspector Certification within two years of hire or promotion into position.

COMBINATION INSPECTOR:

• All of the requirements of Electrical/Building Inspector  and:
• Two years of experience as an Electrical/Building Inspector with the City of Bellingham or an equivalent position with another jurisdiction subsequent to obtaining ICC Mechanical Inspector Certification and UPC Plumbing Inspector Certification or ICC Plumbing Inspector Certification. (ex: an incumbent Electrical/Building Inspector who obtains ICC Mechanical Inspector Certification and UPC Plumbing Inspector Certification within six months of promotion into the position would be promoted to the Combination Inspector level within two years and six months)
• ICC Electrical Inspector, ICC Building Inspector ICC Mechanical Inspector and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Universal Plumbing Code (UPC) Plumbing Inspector Certification or ICC Plumbing Inspector certification required 
• Other recognized certifications from ICC, Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), etc., preferred.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (See Fair Hiring Practices). 
• Valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire and good driving record.  A three-year driving record abstract must be submitted at time of hire.
• Failure to secure required certifications or skill standards within established time limits will result in dismissal. 

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
 
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
 
 Application Review Process:
 

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around April 15, 2024. 
2. All applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the Oral Board Interviews, tentatively scheduled for the April 22, 2024. 
3. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following:
   • The Oral Board Interview will be 100% of overall score. Candidates must achieve at least 60% passing score on the Oral Board Interview to be placed on the eligibility list. 

The final candidates will be referred to the department for additional assessment. 

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Planning and Development. This position is represented by a union.  
 
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.