Master Electrician

City of Boulder; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Boulder is seeking an experienced Electrical Specialist for city facilities. The role involves performing complex electrical inspection, maintenance, repair, and installations, and providing guidance to the Facilities Maintenance staff.

Coordination with contractors and ensuring compliance with codes and safety standards are essential. The position is full-time and hourly, with a 40-hour workweek and a hiring range of $37.97–$55.06 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Inspects, maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, modifies, and installs electrical systems and equipment serving city facilities.
• Diagnoses electrical problems using testing equipment, meters, and schematics.
• Performs electrical work on building distribution systems, panels, transformers, switches, and lighting.

Job description

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder! Application Deadline: October 6, 2026 Compensation Details: Hiring Range 37.97 - 55.06 This is a full-time hourly position. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Benefit Eligibility Group: BMEA (20+ Hours) Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary

Under limited supervision, serves as the city’s technical expert for electrical systems in city facilities, performing complex electrical inspection, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, installation, and modification work. Provides technical guidance and training to Facilities Maintenance staff; coordinates electrical contractors; and ensures work meets applicable codes, safety requirements, and city policies. Evaluates electrical system conditions and provides recommendations for repairs, replacements, upgrades, and capital projects while supporting in-house expertise and reducing reliance on contracted electrical services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspects, maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, modifies, and installs electrical systems and equipment serving city facilities.
• Diagnoses electrical problems using electrical testing equipment, meters, diagnostic tools, drawings, schematics, and other technical resources.
• Performs electrical work on building distribution systems, panels, transformers, disconnects, breakers, switches, receptacles, lighting systems, emergency lighting, motors, motor controls, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), generators, transfer switches, and other electrical equipment.
• Troubleshoots electrical systems associated with HVAC, plumbing, building automation systems, pumps, mechanical equipment, and other building systems.
• Performs preventive maintenance and condition assessments of electrical systems and equipment.
• Identifies electrical system deficiencies and develops recommendations for repair, replacement, upgrades, and improvements.
• Diagnoses and repairs electrical control circuits, relays, contactors, sensors, actuators, VFDs, and related control equipment.
• Responds to electrical emergencies, system failures, and critical facilities needs and performs emergency repairs as necessary to maintain safe and reliable operation of city facilities.
• Participates in the Facilities Maintenance Standby rotation and responds during and after normal business hours as required.
• Coordinates with HVAC and Facilities Maintenance staff to diagnose and resolve electrical issues affecting building systems.
• Maintains accurate electrical equipment inventory, asset information, maintenance records, inspection records, and work order documentation within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Coordinates and oversees electrical contractors performing work in city facilities.
• Reviews contractor scopes of work, estimates, proposals, schedules, and completed work for accuracy, quality, code compliance, and adherence to city requirements.
• Performs and documents electrical inspections and identifies conditions that may create safety hazards, maintenance concerns, or code violations.
• Ensures electrical work is performed in compliance with applicable electrical codes, City of Boulder requirements, and safety standards.
• Serves as the department's technical resource regarding electrical code requirements, permitting, inspections, and electrical safety.
• Provides technical guidance and training to Facilities Maintenance staff regarding electrical systems, troubleshooting, repair techniques, and electrical safety.
• Works collaboratively with other Facilities Maintenance specialists and trades to resolve complex building system problems.
• Provides technical information and recommendations to management regarding electrical system performance, deficiencies, risks, and resource needs.
• Provides recommendations for replacement of electrical equipment and capital planning based on equipment condition, reliability, safety, and lifecycle costs.
• Assists with development of electrical project scopes, specifications, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Provides technical support to Facilities Projects staff during electrical renovations, replacements, and capital improvement projects.
• Communicates effectively with customers, contractors, vendors, and city staff regarding electrical system issues and planned work.
• Maintains required electrical licenses and certifications and stays current with changes to electrical codes, regulations, technology, and industry practices.
• Develops and follows safe electrical work practices, including lockout/tagout, energized electrical work procedures, arc-flash safety, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
• Remains aware of conditions within city facilities and creates service requests for deficiencies identified during inspections or routine work.
• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents.
• Ensures the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment.
• Uses all required safety equipment.
• Assists other Facilities Maintenance staff with building maintenance issues as needed and may be required to independently respond to general maintenance requests, including water leaks, plumbing, HVAC, and other building systems based on operational needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to independently diagnose complex electrical problems and determine appropriate corrective action.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical plans, blueprints, one-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, schematics, and equipment specifications.
• Ability to make decisions with limited supervision.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary maintenance team.
• Ability to demonstrate consistent and professional service at all times.
• Ability to demonstrate credible work and be considered trustworthy by peers and leaders.
• Ability to coordinate and oversee electrical contractors.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to technical and non-technical staff.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation using a CMMS.
• Ability to prioritize multiple work assignments and respond effectively to emergency situations.
• Ability to train and provide technical guidance to other maintenance staff.
• Knowledge of electrical theory, principles, practices, methods, materials, and equipment applicable to commercial and institutional facilities.
• Knowledge of commercial building electrical distribution systems and associated equipment.
• Knowledge of the National Electrical Code and applicable federal, state, and local electrical codes and regulations.
• Knowledge of electrical safety requirements, including lockout/tagout, arc-flash hazards, energized electrical work, and personal protective equipment.
• Knowledge of electrical control systems, motors, motor controls, VFDs, transformers, emergency power systems, and building automation systems.
• Knowledge of electrical testing and diagnostic equipment.
• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.
• Must be able to comply fully with the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience performing electrical maintenance in commercial, municipal, institutional, or industrial facilities.
• Experience with building automation and control systems.
• Experience with emergency generators, automatic transfer switches, and emergency power systems.
• Experience with VFDs, motor controls, and three-phase electrical systems.
• Experience with electrical distribution systems, transformers, switchgear, and power quality.
• Experience with electrical systems supporting aquatic pool infrastructure.
• Experience coordinating electrical contractors and construction projects.
• Experience with electrical design review and construction inspections.
• Experience with solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage systems, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Building Operator Certification (BOC).

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma/GED, or equivalent
• Six (6) years total progressively responsible experience in commercial, institutional, or municipal electrical work, including electrical troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, installation, and electrical system diagnostics, including four (4) years for Journeyman license, one (1) year for Master license, and one (1) additional year of work experience at the Master level.
• One (1) year of lead experience.
• Experience working with commercial electrical distribution systems, electrical controls, motors, and related building equipment.
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical plans, blueprints, one-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, and electrical schematics.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Master Electrician License.
• OSHA 30 Certification or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
• NFPA 70E training or certification, or ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

Supervision Exercised: None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Physical and Mental Effort: Work requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, climbing, and working in awkward positions while performing electrical inspections, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs. Requires the ability to safely work from ladders, lifts, scaffolding, rooftops, and other elevated locations and to access crawl spaces, attics, electrical rooms, mechanical rooms, and other areas with limited access. Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and position tools, equipment, materials, and electrical components necessary to perform assigned work. Requires sufficient manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and visual acuity to safely use electrical tools, testing equipment, and other equipment associated with electrical work. Requires the ability to read and interpret electrical plans, blueprints, one-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, schematics, equipment specifications, and technical documentation. Requires the ability to analyze complex electrical problems, identify potential causes, determine appropriate corrective actions, and make sound decisions with limited supervision. Requires the ability to prioritize multiple assignments, respond to emergency situations, and remain focused and effective in time-sensitive or stressful situations. Requires the ability to communicate technical information clearly to maintenance staff, contractors, customers, and management.

Work Environment: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors at City facilities and may require working in electrical rooms, mechanical rooms, rooftops, crawl spaces, attics, confined or limited-access areas, and other locations where electrical equipment and building systems are located. Work may require exposure to energized electrical equipment, electrical hazards, moving machinery, mechanical equipment, extreme temperatures, dust, dirt, noise, heights, chemicals, and other conditions commonly associated with commercial building maintenance and electrical work. May be required to work in occupied buildings and around employees, customers, contractors, and members of the public while performing maintenance and repair activities. May require work outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-back assignments in response to electrical failures or critical facility needs. May be required to participate in an on-call rotation and respond to emergency electrical situations during and after normal business hours. Requires the ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including arc-flash protection and other electrical safety equipment, and to comply with established safety procedures.

Required equipment: Uses a variety of electrical tools, equipment, and testing instruments, including digital multimeters, clamp meters, insulation resistance testers, circuit tracers, voltage detectors, electrical diagnostic equipment, and other electrical testing equipment. Uses hand tools, power tools, conduit and wire installation tools, cable and wire pulling equipment, ladders, lifts, scaffolding, and other equipment necessary to perform electrical maintenance and repair. Operates and works around building electrical distribution equipment, transformers, switchgear, panels, breakers, disconnects, generators, automatic transfer switches, motors, motor controls, VFDs, lighting systems, emergency power systems, and related electrical equipment. Uses computers, tablets, mobile devices, building automation systems, energy management systems, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and other software used to monitor, diagnose, document, and maintain building systems. Operates or works around vehicles and equipment necessary to transport tools, materials, and equipment to City facilities and work locations.

Machines and Equipment Used

Uses a variety of electrical tools, equipment, and testing instruments, including digital multimeters, clamp meters, insulation resistance testers, circuit tracers, voltage detectors, electrical diagnostic equipment, and other electrical testing equipment. Uses hand tools, power tools, conduit and wire installation tools, cable and wire pulling equipment, ladders, lifts, scaffolding, and other equipment necessary to perform electrical maintenance and repair. Operates and works around building electrical distribution equipment, transformers, switchgear, panels, breakers, disconnects, generators, automatic transfer switches, motors, motor controls, VFDs, lighting systems, emergency power systems, and related electrical equipment. Uses computers, tablets, mobile devices, building automation systems, energy management systems, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and other software used to monitor, diagnose, document, and maintain building systems. Operates or works around vehicles and equipment necessary to transport tools, materials, and equipment to City facilities and work locations.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

As part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy. Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help us grow in service excellence for an inspired future. Through our focus on Racial Equity, our employee benefits, and the programs and resources available to our diverse staff, we work to intentionally embed our core values into the fabric of our organization. The city recognizes that careers are shaped through many pathways, and we value the perspectives and talents that come with them. We believe that diversity in all its forms makes us stronger. We welcome candidates with a wide range of lived experiences and professional backgrounds — including those historically excluded or underrepresented in government. We especially encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others whose voices haven’t always been heard in public service. Our commitment to equity also extends to the planet we share. We’re working toward a sustainable, thriving community that supports clean energy, protects ecosystems, and uses resources responsibly for generations to come.