Wire Inspector

City of Somerville; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Retirement pension

Tuition reimbursement

Free Blue Bikes membership

Job summary

City of Somerville is seeking an experienced electrical inspector to perform inspections of electrical installations issued permits, and ensure code compliance with approved plans.

The role includes plan review, coordination with utilities, and responding to emergencies while enforcing regulations impartially and maintaining detailed records.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Class D Massachusetts driver's license and have access to a motor vehicle during all working hours.
• Massachusetts license as a Master electrician preferred.
• Minimum Journeyman’s License as required by MGL 166-32 with current certificates showing knowledge of current codes.
• Five years of experience as a licensed electrician in construction (residential, commercial, industrial, alarm systems) or equivalent.
• Attends seminars related to Massachusetts code (NFPA 70) updates and maintains licenses.

Responsibilities

• Performs electrical inspections (rough, partial, final) to ensure compliance with codes and approved plans; correct unsafe conditions.
• Reviews and approves wiring and building plans; verifies licenses/insurance; issues permits and maintains records.
• Responds to emergency requests from Fire, police, and Building departments; may assist in fire investigations.
• Investigates complaints, issues notices, and ensures corrective action; notifies the State Board of Examiners of Electricians when appropriate.
• Prepares data for prosecutions, and presents testimony at hearings.
• Verifies apprentice/journeyman ratios at job sites as required by MGL 141.
• Provides information to contractors, homeowners, electricians about Massachusetts Electrical Code (NFPA 70).
• Coordinates with local electrical utility reps to ensure compliance with codes for building services.
• Enforces code fairly and impartially; maintains records and prepares technical reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job description

DUTIES:

• Performs inspections (rough, partial, and final) of electrical installations, for which permits have been issued, to ascertain compliance with applicable codes and approved plans; takes appropriate measures to correct unsafe or unlawful conditions.
• Reviews and approves proposed electrical wiring and building construction plans for code compliance; verifies licenses and insurance as required by MGL, determines the amount of required permit fees, issues permits for proposed installations, and maintains associated records. Uses permitting software to maintain permits and inspections.
• Responds to emergency requests from the Fire, police, and Building departments and may assist the Fire Department in the investigation of fires.
• Provides responsive service on all complaints of property owners, tenants, and others; investigates alleged violations, issues violation notices, and ensures that corrective action is taken. Notifies the State Board of Examiners of Electricians, where appropriate, related to licenses held by permit holders
• Prepares data for prosecution of violations, attends court or other administrative board hearings to present testimony.
• Verifies proper apprentice/journeyman ratio at job sites as required by MGL 141.
• Provides information and technical assistance to contractors, homeowners, electricians, and other interested parties regarding the Massachusetts Electrical Code (NFPA 70).
• Coordinate with representatives of local electrical utility companies to ensure compliance with applicable municipal, state, and federal codes for building services.
• Ability to enforce the code fairly and impartially.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare technical reports
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a current valid Class D Massachusetts driver’s license and have access to a motor vehicle in working condition during all working hours.
• Massachusetts license as a Master electrician preferred.
• Minimum Journeyman’s License as required by MGL 166-32. Hold all current required certificates showing knowledge of current codes.
• Five years of experience as a licensed electrician working in construction, including residential, commercial, industrial and alarm systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Attends seminars related to Massachusetts code (NFPA 70) updates and new products.
• Attends continuing education as required to maintain Massachusetts state-issued licenses.
• Knowledge of City streets.
• Experience in electrical inspections preferred.
• Must be computer literate, with good communication and writing skills. Must have computer knowledge of Microsoft Office, and be willing to learn software required for performance of job duties.
• Ability to work with the public enforcing and interpreting regulations in a firm, tactful, and impartial manner.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Position requires standing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires near and far vision and acute hearing, the ability to stand for long periods of time, navigate rough terrain, and walk up and down stairs. Additionally, the position entails working outdoors, in all weather conditions including wet, hot and cold and incumbents may be exposed to fumes, dust and air contaminants. The ability to lift equipment weighing up to 50 pounds is also required.

Motor Skills

While performing the duties, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; interact with City staff and other organizations; and occasionally deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.
Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $1,456.02 weekly, plus benefits.
Union: SMEU B
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: July 15th, 2026
Schedule:

• Monday-Wednesday 8am-4pm
• Thursday 8am-7pm
• Friday 8am-12pm

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or [e-mail].

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.