Electrical Inspector / Combination Inspector

For more information, please review the job classification.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This position will start at Step 1 ($44.97/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $44.97 - $58.69. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. 

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 08/28/2026 4:30 PM Pacific Time 

ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR:

• High school graduation or equivalency (GED).
• Four (4) 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 Residential Electrical Inspector (E1) Certification within one (1) year of hire
• Must secure and maintain International Code Council Commercial Electrical Inspector (E2) Certification within two (2) years of hire
• Must secure and maintain International Code Council Residential and Commercial Mechanical Inspector Certification (M1 & M2) within three (3) years of hire.
• Must secure and maintain International Code Council Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P1 & P2) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) Plumbing Inspector Certification within four (4) years of hire.
• Must secure and maintain International Code Council Residential and Commercial Building Inspector Certification (B1 & B2) within five (5) years of hire.

COMBINATION INSPECTOR:

• High school graduation or equivalency (GED).
• Four years (4) 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.
• Three (3) years of experience as an Electrical Inspector with the City of Bellingham or an equivalent position with another jurisdiction subsequent to obtaining ICC Residential Electrical Inspector (E1) Certification. (ex: an incumbent Electrical Inspector who obtains ICC Residential Electrical Inspector (E1) Certification within six (6) months of hire into the position would be eligible for promotion to the Combination Inspector level within three (3) years and six (6) months provided the certifications required at the Combination Inspector level are obtained)
• ICC Residential and Commercial Electrical Inspector (E1 and E2) certification
• ICC Residential and Commercial Building Inspector (B1 and B2) certification,
• ICC Residential and Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M1 and M2) certification and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) Plumbing Inspector Certification or ICC Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P1 and P2) certification. 
• 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, child and adult abuse records check and local background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire. 
• 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.

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 August 31, 2026. 
2. If there are seven (7) or more qualified candidates; 
   • Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Applicant status will be updated on or around September 10, 2026.
   • The top six (6) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of September 21, 2026.
3. If six (6) or less candidates meet the minimum qualifications, all will be invited to the Oral Board Interviews, tentatively scheduled for the week of September 07, 2026. 
4. 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: 
   • If there are seven (7) applicants that meet minimum qualifications, the Experience and Training Rating will be 40% of overall score and Oral Board Interview will be 60% of overall score. Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.
   • If six (6) or less candidates meet the minimum qualifications, the Oral Board Interview will be 100% of overall score. Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

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 the Planning and Community Development department. This position is represented by a union.  

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214. 

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.