Salary : $62,751.00 - $120,981.00 Annually
Location : 7125 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00608
Department: Inspections, Licenses & Permits
Division: ILP - Inspections & Enforcement
Opening Date: 08/03/2026
Closing Date: 8/17/2026 1:14 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is for an Electrical Inspector; with Maryland Master General Electrician's License to conduct field inspections of electrical installations for compliance with the National Electrical Code on behalf of Howard County Government. Incumbent will electronically document inspection results of electrical installations for compliance with the adopted National Electrical Code, perform field review of approved construction plans, and may issue citations, and testify in court for enforcement proceedings.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE
$30.17 - $39.54
$62,751 - $82,247

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs senior technical level licensing, inspections and regulations work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.*

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION WILL NOT START WORK UNTIL AT LEAST OCTOBER 1, 2026.***
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Plan Review & Technical Interpretation:

• Reads and interprets approved construction and shop drawings of electrical installations.
• Reviews electrical plans, materials lists, specifications, and methods of installation.
• Interprets codes and provides guidance to contractors, engineers, architects, craft-workers, and property owners.

Electrical Inspection & Code Compliance:

• Inspects electrical installations in new, remodeled, or altered residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
• Verifies proper installation of electrical conductors and equipment in new and existing structures.
• Calculates and confirms electrical loads and demand factors to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Code.
• Performs field inspections to confirm adherence to codes, standards, and approved plans.
• Conducts inspections of interior and exterior building areas during and after construction.
• Determines corrective action timelines; re-inspects properties to confirm compliance.

Documentation, Reporting & Legal Support:

• Electronically documents inspection results and maintains case histories, including digital photographs.
• Completes inspection reports, daily activity logs, and weekly or monthly mileage and expense reports.
• Issues violations and civil citations; prepares documentation for legal action; issues violations and civil citations.
• Provides supporting data for legal proceedings and testifies in court on behalf of Howard County Government when required.
• Documents complaints, investigates alleged violations, resolves code-related issues, and follows up on progress inspections.

Technology & Software Use:

• Uses modern computer software to document inspections and interpret construction plans.
• Utilizes internet-based permitting systems (e.g., Accela) for research and permit review.
• Uses laptop for electronic documentation, email communication, and word processing.

Other Duties:

• Performs other related duties as required.
• Works and cooperates effectively with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED and six (6) years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Master's General Electrician's license.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Associate's degree and considerable related electrical installation experience in residential and commercial electrical construction.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in use of computer systems, including internet, email, Windows, and Microsoft Office software, with advanced skills in the operation of laptops, smartphones, and apps.
• Typing skills; computer skills, including email and basic programs such as Windows, Word and Excel. Strong writing skills are necessary for writing reports and letters.
• Proficient in use of a digital camera for documentation.
• ICC Residential Electrical Inspector Certification- E1.
• ICC Commercial Electrical inspector Certification-E2.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Must be able to climb ladders, steep slopes, and inclines. Must wear protective clothing (i.e. hard hats, and safety shoes, etc.). Must be able to endure adverse climatic conditions and perform work at elevated heights. Must use alternative means of accessing multistory areas during the construction process.

Must not misuse or abuse County furnished and assigned vehicles or equipment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to calculate voltage, wattage, loads, ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general codes and standards, professional journals and bulletins, technical manuals and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and letters.

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Ability to electronically produce written reports, business correspondence, and letters. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, tenants, property owners, and the general public including digital media.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.