Inspector Commercial Electrical (Permitting & Code Compliance Inspector I/II/III), Grades 19/21/23

Inspector Commercial Electrical (Permitting & Code Compliance Inspector I/II/III), Grades 19/21/23

Salary

$76,742.00 - $122,603.00 Annually

Location

2425 Reedie Dr Wheaton MD 20902 USA

Job Type

Permanent

Job Number

2026-00346

Department

Department of Permitting Services

Division

DPS 75 Commercial Electrical and FPS Inspections

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Closing Date

7/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About the Position

Please note: The salary range below represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be as follows, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

• Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector I, Grade 19: $64,942.00 to $87,750.00
• Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector II, Grade 21: $70,556.00 to $104,757.00
• Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector III, Grade 23: $76,742.00 to $121,022.00

WHO WE ARE

Safety, sustainability, and economic development are the hallmarks of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS). The department issues approximately 40,000 building permits a year and conducts thousands of inspections by local code officials. With a staff of about 240 employees, DPS's five divisions include: commercial building construction; customer support and outreach; land development; residential construction and fire code compliance; and zoning and code compliance. From its award-winning programs to providing excellent customer service in the office and in the field, DPS's commitment to its customers is summed up by its tagline: "Your Project Partner."

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Commercial Building Construction Division is seeking someone with an electrical inspection background to join the inspections team as a Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector III.

This position may be underfilled as a Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector II, Grade 21, or Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector I, Grade 19. Once the employee is at full performance and meets the minimum requirements of the Proficiency Advancement process, they are eligible for a non-competitive promotion through the series to the Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector III, Grade 23.

What Youll Be Doing

This position conducts and documents on-site inspections for compliance with plans, permit requirements, engineering standards, and all applicable County, State, and federal laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines, as per NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, in buildings under construction or renovation.

• Review and approve electrical plans.
• Complete and maintain detailed records of inspections and supporting documents related to any aspect of fire and life safety systems, product design, and installation specifications, as well as correspondence.
• Provide written or oral feedback on findings.
• Work with on-site contractors or project managers to resolve discrepancies between approved plans and field conditions, resolve interpretive problems, facilitate casework, and schedule and implement corrective actions.
• Determine when alternative construction or installation methods and materials represent equivalency for compliance with codes.
• Issue orders and summonses, prepare cases for court/appellate consideration, and testify as an issuing official and expert witness.
• Perform related duties as required.

This position REQUIRES the possession of a valid drivers license from the applicants state of residence and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend meetings, transport materials, or perform work at locations outside the office, which include locations throughout Montgomery County.

The position may require wearing safety apparel (e.g., a hard hat and safety footwear) and exercising safety precautions. Performance of the work may involve walking over rough, uneven, and occasionally slippery surfaces; climbing flights of stairs and ladders; and occasionally lifting objects weighing from twenty to fifty (50) pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

Permitting & Code Compliance Inspector III, Grade 23:

• Education & Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field and three (3) years of experience in the electrical field of which one year must have been in a code compliance/enforcement capacity;

Or

• Graduation from high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland and seven (7) years of experience in the electrical field of which one year must have been in a code compliance/enforcement capacity.

Permitting & Code Compliance Inspector II, Grade 21:

• Education& Experience: Completion of high school or possession of a High School Certification of Completion recognized by the State of Maryland and five (5) years of experience in the electrical field;

Or

• A bachelors degree in electrical engineering or related field and two (2) years of experience in the electrical field of which one (1) year of experience should be in a code compliance/enforcement capacity.

Permitting & Code Compliance Inspector I, Grade 19:

• Education& Experience: Completion of high school or possession of a High School Certification of Completion recognized by the State of Maryland and three (3) years of electrical experience.

Or

• A bachelors degree in electrical engineering or a related field, with one (1) year of electrical experience.

All Levels:

• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

• Certifications: The Department of Permitting Services maintains a listing of current Department-required certifications for employees classified at each level of the Permitting and Code Compliance Inspector.

• License: This position REQUIRES the possession of a valid drivers license from the applicants state of residence.

• Medical Protocol: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.

• Financial Disclosure Statement: This position is designated as one that requires filing a Financial Disclosure Statement and you will be required to disclose information about your financial affairs.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

• Possession of the Maryland Electrical Masters License, Journeyman's License, the International Code Council (ICC) E2 Commercial Electrical Inspect and the E1 Residential Electrical Inspector certifications, or some other equivalent certification in electrical inspection.
• Experience working with electrical installations.
• Experience reading, understanding, and interpreting construction plans anddeterminingif installation of theelectrical wiring orequipment is following approved plans.
• Experience conducting field inspections thatcomprisemethods and techniques of fact-finding, analysis, and resolution of complex problems, either independently or as part of a team.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicants responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the Countys "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriffs office) are subject to the Countys ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits

01

Do you possess and currently maintain a VALID drivers license from your state of residence?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your highest level of completed education?

• N/A
• High School/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Juris Doctor
• Doctorate

03

Do you have experience in the electrical field, including code compliance and enforcement?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of experience do you have reading, understanding, and interpreting construction plans and determining if installation of the electrical wiring or equipment is following approved plans.

• No Experience
• 1-2 Years Experience
• 3 Years Experience
• 4 Years Experience
• 5 Years Experience
• 6 Years Experience
• 7 Years Experience
• 8 Years Experience
• 9+ Years Experience

05

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree in an appropriate engineering, technical, or professional field and three (3) years of experience in a technical/professional field appropriate to the assigned position of which one year must have been in a code compliance/enforcement capacity; or graduation from high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland and seven (7) years of experience in a technical/professional field appropriate to the assigned position of which one year must have been in a code compliance/enforcement capacity.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you currently hold any of the following certifications: a Maryland Electrical Master's License, a Journeyman's License, the International Code Council (ICC) E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector certification, the ICC E1 Residential Electrical Inspector certification, or an equivalent electrical inspection certification? Please list each certification you possess along with the certification number and expiration date. If you do not hold any of these certifications, please indicate N/A.

07

Explain how you would evaluate whether the installation meets code requirements, referencing your past experience with electrical installations.

• I don't currently hold electrical certifications, but I would review the project requirements and follow general inspection guidelines. I would rely on the codebook and checklists to guide my approach.
• I have some basic electrical training, and I would use that knowledge along with the applicable codes to perform the inspection. I understand the fundamentals but would review standards to ensure accuracy.
• I hold a Journeyman Electrician license, which gives me a solid understanding of commercial electrical systems. I apply that knowledge by verifying conductor sizing, grounding, and equipment installation. My license helps me identify common issues and understand proper installation techniques.
• I hold a Master Electrician license and ICC E2 certification. These credentials give me deep knowledge of commercial electrical code requirements. During inspection, I apply this by reviewing panel schedules, verifying load calculations, checking clearances, and ensuring wiring methods match both NEC and local amendments. Each certification supports a structured, high-accuracy inspection process.

08

Describe how you would compare the field installation to the approved plans and assess whether the deviation is acceptable. Explain the process you use to decide when a revision or correction is required.

• I don't have hands-on electrical experience, but I would check the codebook and look for obvious issues. I would also ask the contractor for more details.
• I've had limited exposure to electrical work, so I would visually inspect the wiring and compare it to basic code requirements. I would look for proper securing, protection, and placement, and ask questions if something seems off.
• I have experience performing electrical installations. I would evaluate the concealed wiring by confirming the routing, ensuring proper protection, and checking compliance with NEC requirements such as support, box fill, and securing. I would request removal of small drywall sections if needed.
• I have extensive experience installing and troubleshooting commercial wiring systems. I would verify compliance by examining conductor protection, verifying that wiring methods match approved plans, checking for proper stapling and box fill, and ensuring no violations of NEC 300.4 or related standards. If the contractor's claim conflicts with findings, I would document, test, and request exposure as necessary to verify compliance.

09

Describe how you would compare the field installation to the approved plans and determine whether the deviation is acceptable. Explain the steps you would follow and how you decide when a revision or correction is needed.

• I would look at the plans and compare them to what I see, but I don't have experience reviewing plans.
• I can compare the drawing to what is installed and look for major differences, but I may need help determining what variations are acceptable.
• I review plans by checking the circuit layout, panel assignments, and device locations. If what I find in the field differs from the plans, I verify whether the change affects safety or code compliance, and determine if an updated plan or correction is required.
• I evaluate installations against plans by checking circuit routing, load distribution, conductor types, and equipment locations. I assess whether deviations affect capacity, safety, or code compliance. If changes impact design intent, require recalculation, or modify listed equipment layouts, I require a revised plan or engineered amendment. I document all discrepancies clearly for compliance follow-up.

10

Describe the steps you would take to investigate the issue, gather accurate information, and determine the correct resolution. Include how you decide whether to handle the matter independently or involve other team members.

• I would ask the contractors to explain the issue and try to figure out what is wrong. If I couldn't, I'd ask someone else for help.
• I would examine the panel and compare it to code basics. If explanations conflict, I would gather more information and involve a supervisor if I cannot resolve it.
• I would inspect the panel layout, grounding, bonding, conductor sizes, and labeling. I would compare conditions to NEC requirements and speak with contractors to understand the installation. If needed, I'd consult with team members depending on complexity.
• I take a structured approach: inspect the panel for clearances, conductor terminations, load balancing, grounding/bonding, and overcurrent device compatibility. I reference applicable NEC sections, gather contractor documentation, and evaluate conflicting statements objectively. I resolve disputes using evidence and code standards. If the issue affects multiple units or poses a broader safety risk, I involve the inspection team or supervisor to ensure consistency in enforcement.

Required Question

Employer Montgomery County (MD)

Address 101 Monroe Street

7th Floor

Rockville, Maryland, 20850

Phone 240-777-0311

Website https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ohr