Salary : $67,199.00 - $129,361.00 Annually Location : Maryland 21046, MD Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 24-00351 Department: Inspections, Licenses & Permits Division: ILP - Inspections & Enforcement Opening Date: 02/05/2024 Closing Date: Continuous POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTIONHoward County Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community. Howard County Government Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most in the state of Maryland. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking. What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations. What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY: Technical and supervisory level work overseeing the activities and inspections of the electrical inspection group in the Inspections and Enforcement Division. Extensive contact with the public, engineers, architects, developers, builders, contractors and other County and governmental agency employees. Performs intermediate supervisory level and advanced licensing, inspections, and regulation work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes overseeing the inspection of project construction to ensure conformance with standards, specifications, and drawings; ability to effectively communicate logically and technically, both verbally and in writing, to management, public groups, other governmental agencies, and the general public. Provide, assign, and schedule inspections for residential, commercial and industrial construction; supervising and administering code enforcement programs; examining plans and permits; administering homeowner electrical permit and testing process; reviewing inspection reports; resolving complex problems; and overseeing the work of trained and technically proficient inspectors engaged in conducting inspections of residential, commercial, industrial and capital projects for conformance with electrical codes and standards, specifications, local and state laws and ordinances; and assisting others in the interpretation of codes. CLASS DESCRIPTION: Performs intermediate supervisory level and advanced licensing, inspections, and regulation work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes overseeing the inspection of project construction to ensure conformance with standards, specifications, and drawings; providing inspections for subdivision and Capital Project constructions; supervising and administering code enforcement programs; examining plans and permits; and maintaining unit budget and records. Work includes scheduling inspections; reviewing inspection reports; resolving complex problems; and overseeing the work of trained and technically proficient inspectors engaged in conducting inspections of residential, commercial and capital projects for conformance with codes and standards, specifications, local and state laws and ordinances; and assisting others in the interpretation of codes. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Supervises subordinate personnel in their inspection of electrical installations to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC - a.k.a NFPA 70) and other regulations and industry standards. Assigns work, reviews and approves inspection reports, and evaluates inspector performance. Extensive ability to intelligently write articulate letters using Microsoft Word. Extensive ability to create, analyze & report data using Microsoft Excel. Extensive ability to create documentation for cases using Word, Outlook and other digital media. Carries out supervisory and personnel responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws; interviews and trains employees; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; addresses complaints and resolves problems. Develops, recommends and implements policies and procedures relative to the permit/inspection process; develops forms and work schedules; investigates and resolves operational and personnel problems. Interacts with representatives from other State and County reviewing agencies to coordinate activities and processes. Reads and interprets approved plans for electrical service and installation; reads and interprets specifications and methods of installation and verifies installation at time of field inspection. Interprets the electrical code requirements and recommends guidance to licensed electrical contractors to ensure compliance with adopted codes and standards; responds to technical and complex inquiries from electrical inspectors, electrical contractors and the public. Evaluates new materials, techniques and trade practices to determine compliance with the Electrical Code. Meets and confers with electrical engineering professionals, electrical contractors, professional associations, and inspection officials in other jurisdictions to discuss code revision proposals, standardizing code interpretation and to maintain knowledge of up to date electrical installation methods and techniques. Serves as the Director's designee as the Executive Secretary to the Howard County Board of Electrical Examiners; advises Division Chiefs and Director of activities and recommendations of the Board. Prepares and maintains new and existing records, prepares computer generated reports regarding electrical inspection section activities. Researches information necessary for proposed legislation and court cases relative to the County licenses and permits function. Performs electrical inspections on all types of residential, commercial, and industrial complexes to insure compliance with the National Electrical Code. Researches inspection and permit information utilizing the Accela permitting system; extensively utilizes PC for e-mail and word processing. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Directly supervises 5 employees in the Inspection and Enforcement Division. MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Associate's Degree and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master General Electrician license. PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Bachelor's Degree with major course work in electrical engineering. Supervisory experience. Extensive experience with PC systems including e-mail, Windows and word processing and Accela permitting software. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands 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 sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to outside weather conditions and unfinished construction sites. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must be able to climb ladders, steep slopes, and inclines. Must wear protective clothing, i.e. hard hats and safety shoes. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and risk of electrical shock. 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. LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical standards and legal documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively communicate logically and technically, both verbally and in writing, to management, public groups, other governmental agencies, and the general public. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to define problems, collect data, analyze data, establish facts, and draw logical valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS Master General Electrician license. Class C Maryland driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residence. 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 ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( 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. Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources. GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan. PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval. ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next. DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate. PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over. HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day. OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act. RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources. Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan. SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate. 457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $1500 contingent upon County funding. LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit. DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources. VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, universal life insurance, and discounted auto/homeowner's insurance programs. CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants. 01 Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state see resume will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
02 Do you possess Associate's Degree and four (4) years of experience performing supervisory level and advanced licensing, inspections and regulation work or an equivalent combination of education and experience?
03 If you possess four (4) years of experience performing supervisory level and advanced licensing, inspections and regulation work or an equivalent combination of education and experience, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 04 If you possess a degree from an accredited college or university, was your degree conferred in one of the following disciplines: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Project Management or a closely related field? If so, of the choices list below, please select the option that most closely reflects your academic background.
- Yes, I possess a Associate's degree in one of the listed fields.
- Yes, I possess a Bachelor's degree in one of the listed fields.
- Yes, I possess a Master's degree in one of the listed fields.
- Yes, I possess a Doctorate in one of the listed fields.
- Yes, I possess a degree in a closely related field.
- Not Applicable
05 If you possess a degree, please state the field of study your degree was conferred. If you do not possess a degree, please state Not Applicable, N/A. 06 Do you possess professional managerial/supervisory experience? Of the choice provided below, please select the option that most closely reflects your skill set.
- Yes, I have professional supervisory experience involving training and overseeing the performance of subordinate employees.
- Yes, I have professional supervisory experience, to include: training, overseeing job-site performance, and approving or disapproving the leave of subordinate employees.
- Yes, I have professional supervisory experience, to include: imposing progressive discipline, overseeing job-site performance, approving or disapproving paid time off, and appraising subordinate employee performance.
- No, I do not possess professional supervisory experience
07 If you indicated you possess the supervisory/managerial experience addressed in the previous question, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 08 Do you possess experience reading and interpreting approved plans for electrical service and installation; specifications and methods of installation as well as verifying installation at the time of inspection?
09 If you possess experience reading and interpreting approved plans for electrical service and installation; specifications and methods of installation as well as verifying installation at the time of inspection, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 10 Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- None
11 Do you possess experience performing electrical inspections on all types of residential, commercial, and industrial complexes to insure compliance with the National Electrical Code?
12 If you possess the professional experience addressed in the previous question, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 13 How did you hear about this position?
- NEOGOV/GOVT Jobs
- Linked In
- Maryland Association of Counties
- National Association of Counties
- CEAM
- ASCE
- Indeed
- Employee Referral
- Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA)
- Handshake
- Career Fair
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
- Other
14 If you indicated Job Fair or Other in the previous question, please indicate which job fair you attended and specifically how you became aware of this position. Otherwise, indicate N/A (Not Applicable). 15 Do you possess a
current and valid Master Electrician - General License issued by the State of Maryland?
16 Do you possess a Class C driver's license valid in the state of Maryland or an equivalent issued by the State of residence?
17 I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit www.governmentjobs.com, click on the career seekers link, and follow the prompts.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
18 I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
Required Question