What does an electrical superintendent do?
Electrical superintendents are professionals who assess the quality and workmanship of electrical systems installed in a new project as well as to conduct the electrical inspection in an existing building. They must perform project management and submit progress reports while providing engineering assistance for all their electrical construction projects. They must ensure that all electrical systems installed are according to the guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Electrical superintendents must also conduct safety meetings with contractors and employees as required by the company and OSHA.
Electrical superintendent responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical superintendent resumes:
- Manage electrical & technical crew, supervise ABB DCS & gauging system and entire maintenance department, as needed.
- Ensure all work are installed in accordance to BP specifications, BP safety standards, and OSHA guidelines.
- Answer request for information regarding clarification of design, NEC, NFPA, client specifications.
- Assist building, plumbing and HVAC inspectors on their inspections to learn more about their field of expertise.
- Maintain and enforce all SBA and OSHA safety practices, perform daily job-site safety inspections on equipment prior to operation.
- Job duties include scheduling, tracking work progress, and resolving any design or code issues in compliance with NEC.
- Experience include working with different types of PLC controllers and sequences to input, change and monitor sequential programs as required.
- Build and maintain automation PLC, HMI and screen programs to ensure each location operates efficiently in a user friendly format.
- Produce quality notifications on installation procedures and vendor products in order to meet engineering criteria and FAA guidelines.
- Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot creatively, solve problems effectively and make inform decisions while successfully guiding others through constant change.
- Obtain all necessary data require for the traction power substation simulation study.
Electrical superintendent skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Electrical Superintendents are proficient in OSHA, Project Management, and Construction Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Craft experience, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Electrical Superintendents that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- OSHA, 11%
Ensured adherence to Jacobs Engineering and OSHA standards of quality, safety and best practices.
- Project Management, 7%
Can work with any level of management* Work closely with project management to develop effective work schedules* Outstanding attendance record.
- Construction Management, 6%
Managed and monitored the overall installation and utilized a construction management contractor to manage indirect hire craft contractors.
- Construction Projects, 6%
Performed electrical-related wiring and installation for industrial, commercial and residential construction projects, including new construction, retrofits and remodels.
- Electrical Construction, 6%
Organize, direct and coordinated all electrical construction activities in the AQCS and BOP areas.
- Electrical Systems, 6%
Supervised installations/modifications of electrical systems.
Common skills that an electrical superintendent uses to do their job include "osha," "project management," and "construction management." You can find details on the most important electrical superintendent responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an electrical superintendent to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians must be able to follow instructions from engineers and others." Electrical superintendents often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "power distribution, motor controls, instrumentation, and various communication & operating systems. "
Detail oriented. electrical superintendents are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to electrical superintendent responsibilities, because "electrical engineering technologists and technicians must pay attention to detail when assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic and electrical mechanical systems." An electrical superintendent resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "completed all systems per nec, engineered specifications and details. "
Mechanical skills. A commonly-found skill in electrical superintendent job descriptions, "mechanical skills" is essential to what electrical superintendents do. Electrical superintendent responsibilities rely on this skill because "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." You can also see how electrical superintendent duties rely on mechanical skills in this resume example: "managed mechanical contractors project ending punch list to shorten project delivery schedule. "
Writing skills. While "writing skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to electrical superintendent responsibilities. Much of what an electrical superintendent does relies on this skill, seeing as "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of electrical superintendents: "reported all progress and solutions to the army corps of engineers via technical report writing. "
The three companies that hire the most electrical superintendents are:
- Black & Veatch91 electrical superintendents jobs
- CyberCoders32 electrical superintendents jobs
- RES Success
30 electrical superintendents jobs
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Electrical superintendent vs. Construction inspector
A construction inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, electrical superintendent responsibilities require skills like "project management," "electrical construction," "electrical systems," and "general contractors." Meanwhile a typical construction inspector has skills in areas such as "asphalt," "aci," "construction inspection," and "traffic control." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Construction inspectors really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $62,629. Comparatively, electrical superintendents tend to make the most money in the utilities industry with an average salary of $88,758.On average, construction inspectors reach similar levels of education than electrical superintendents. Construction inspectors are 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Electrical superintendent vs. Journeyman
A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that electrical superintendent responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "construction management," "construction projects," and "electrical construction." But a journeyman might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "hand tools," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "plumbing."
On average, journeymen earn a lower salary than electrical superintendents. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, journeymen earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $62,379. Whereas electrical superintendents have higher pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $88,758.In general, journeymen achieve similar levels of education than electrical superintendents. They're 3.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical superintendent vs. Carpenter helper
A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an electrical superintendent is likely to be skilled in "osha," "project management," "construction management," and "electrical construction," while a typical carpenter helper is skilled in "hand tools," "safety rules," "scaffolding," and "door frames."
Carpenter helpers earn the highest salary when working in the construction industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,276. Comparatively, electrical superintendents have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $88,758.Most carpenter helpers achieve a lower degree level compared to electrical superintendents. For example, they're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical superintendent vs. Construction foreman
A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.
Types of electrical superintendent
Updated January 8, 2025











