Electrical Construction Inspector – Hydroelectric Power Generation
Location: Grand Coulee, Washington – John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant
Company: Colorado Network Staffing, Inc. (CNS)
Position Type: Full-Time | Contract | On-Site
Classification: To Be Determined
Pay Range: $52.00–$67.00 per hour, based on qualifications and experience
Project Duration: Approximately 9 Months
Anticipated Start Date: January 4, 2027
Application Deadline: November 16, 2026
Schedule: 40 Hours per Week | Additional Hours and Occasional Weekends as Required
Position Summary
Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) is seeking three experienced Electrical Construction Inspectors to support a major hydroelectric modernization project for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation at the John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant in Grand Coulee, Washington.
The Electrical Construction Inspectors will provide on-site construction inspection, quality assurance monitoring, safety oversight, and technical documentation for electrical upgrades to hydroelectric power generation systems. The project includes the replacement and modernization of excitation systems, protective relays, generator controls, electrical distribution equipment, control panels, and associated control systems.
This position requires extensive experience inspecting electrical construction activities in hydroelectric generating facilities, power plants, or comparable industrial environments. Candidates must demonstrate strong technical knowledge of electrical equipment installation, hydro-generator testing, protective relay systems, and construction quality assurance.
This is a temporary federal contract opportunity with an anticipated duration of approximately nine months. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply promptly, as resumes must be submitted by November 16, 2026.
Essential Functions
Electrical Construction Inspection & Quality Assurance
• Perform on-site inspections of electrical construction activities to verify compliance with approved drawings, technical specifications, applicable standards, and contract requirements.
• Inspect the installation, replacement, and modernization of excitation systems, protective relays, generator controls, electrical distribution systems, and associated equipment.
• Monitor electrical construction activities involving control panels, distributed input/output (I/O) systems, communication networks, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) interfaces.
• Verify that electrical installations meet applicable construction requirements, technical specifications, and approved project documentation.
• Identify and document wiring defects, grounding deficiencies, installation issues, electrical failures, and other nonconforming conditions.
• Monitor contractor workmanship, installation practices, and adherence to approved construction procedures.
• Communicate inspection findings and deficiencies to appropriate engineering and construction personnel.
• Support resolution and documentation of identified construction deficiencies and corrective actions.
Hydroelectric Equipment Testing & Commissioning
• Observe equipment installation, testing, commissioning, and construction progress associated with hydroelectric modernization activities.
• Inspect electrical systems associated with turbine and pump generating units.
• Monitor excitation system upgrades, protective relay installations, generator controls, and related electrical equipment.
• Observe hydro-generator testing activities and identify technical deficiencies or noncompliant conditions.
• Review testing activities for consistency with approved plans, specifications, and applicable project requirements.
• Document equipment performance concerns, installation deficiencies, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with engineering personnel regarding testing observations and technical findings.
• Support inspection and documentation activities during equipment startup and commissioning.
Construction Safety & Compliance
• Monitor contractor compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, Reclamation Safety and Health Standards (RSHS), and approved project safety plans.
• Observe construction activities for compliance with applicable safety procedures, including fall protection and hazardous energy control requirements.
• Attend project safety meetings and review Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs).
• Identify and document unsafe conditions, potential hazards, and safety concerns.
• Immediately communicate significant safety concerns or noncompliant conditions to the Supervisory Resident Electrical Engineer.
• Monitor implementation of corrective actions related to identified safety concerns.
• Follow applicable Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), hearing conservation, hazard communication, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal facility and project safety procedures.
Construction Documentation & Reporting
• Prepare accurate and detailed daily construction inspection reports.
• Document contractor activities, labor, equipment, materials, construction progress, and compliance issues.
• Capture and organize construction progress photographs with appropriate descriptions and captions.
• Maintain accurate inspection records, technical observations, and supporting project documentation.
• Prepare and submit required timesheets and weekly activity journals.
• Document deficiencies, corrective actions, testing observations, and outstanding construction issues.
• Assist with preparation of interim and final construction completion reports.
• Maintain organized electronic records in accordance with project reporting requirements.
• Ensure inspection documentation is accurate, complete, and submitted within established timelines.
Project Coordination & Technical Support
• Coordinate with the Supervisory Resident Electrical Engineer, government representatives, construction personnel, and other project stakeholders.
• Participate in weekly project coordination meetings.
• Communicate construction progress, technical concerns, inspection findings, and outstanding issues.
• Provide timely updates regarding deficiencies, safety concerns, and construction activities that may affect project quality or progress.
• Review applicable construction drawings, specifications, and project documentation to support inspection activities.
• Work independently while maintaining effective communication with engineering and construction teams.
• Support project closeout activities and preparation of final inspection documentation.
• Perform additional construction inspection and technical support duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated construction inspection experience within the past five (5) years, verifying compliance with approved construction plans and specifications.
• Extensive experience inspecting electrical construction and control system installations within power generation facilities or comparable industrial environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of electrical distribution systems, protective relays, generator controls, excitation systems, and associated electrical equipment.
• Extensive experience with hydro-generator testing, including identifying and documenting technical deficiencies.
• Experience inspecting or overseeing electrical distribution, relay protection, and control system upgrades.
• Experience with at least one turbine or pump unit excitation or control system upgrade or replacement.
• Ability to identify complex wiring defects, grounding deficiencies, electrical failures, installation deficiencies, and required corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of OSHA construction safety requirements, including fall protection.
• Ability to interpret electrical construction drawings, technical specifications, and applicable industry standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Teams, as well as Adobe Acrobat and electronic reporting systems.
• Strong technical writing, construction documentation, and photography skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to construction quality and safety.
• Ability to work independently in an active industrial construction environment.
• Ability to maintain accurate inspection records and communicate effectively with engineering and construction personnel.
Required Safety Training & Certifications
Candidates must possess or be able to complete the following project-required training and certifications:
• Fall Protection Certification completed within the past three (3) years.
• Hearing Conservation training.
• Hazard Communication training.
• Hazardous Energy Control and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) training.
• Reclamation FIST 1-1 Hazardous Energy Control Program training, coordinated prior to on-site performance.
Preferred Qualifications
• Previous experience supporting U.S. Bureau of Reclamation projects or other federal hydropower and infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with Reclamation Safety and Health Standards (RSHS).
• Experience working within hydroelectric generating facilities, pump generating plants, or large industrial electrical facilities.
• Experience inspecting electrical modernization projects involving excitation systems, generator controls, and protective relay systems.
• Experience with SCADA systems, distributed control systems, and communication networks.
• Experience supporting equipment testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Experience preparing federal construction inspection reports and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with government construction inspection procedures and quality assurance requirements.
Key Competencies
• Electrical Construction Inspection
• Hydroelectric Power Generation
• Electrical Quality Assurance
• Generator Excitation Systems
• Protective Relay Systems
• Electrical Distribution Systems
• Generator Controls
• SCADA & Control Systems
• Hydro-Generator Testing
• Equipment Commissioning
• Electrical Drawings & Specifications
• Construction Safety Compliance
• OSHA & RSHS Requirements
• Hazardous Energy Control / LOTO
• Construction Documentation
• Technical Reporting
• Deficiency Identification & Resolution
• Project Coordination
• Attention to Detail
• Independent Field Inspection
Work Environment
This position is full-time and located on-site at the John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant in Grand Coulee, Washington.
Work will be performed in an active industrial construction and hydroelectric power generation environment. The Electrical Construction Inspector will regularly interact with government representatives, electrical contractors, engineers, construction personnel, and other project stakeholders.
The position requires working around industrial equipment, electrical systems, construction activities, and operational power generation infrastructure. Employees may be exposed to elevated noise levels, varying weather conditions, industrial work areas, and other conditions associated with active construction sites.
Government-furnished equipment and required personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided in accordance with project requirements.
Physical Demands
This position requires the ability to perform field inspections within an active industrial construction environment. Physical requirements may include:
• Walking and standing for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Navigating industrial facilities, construction areas, and uneven surfaces.
• Climbing stairs and accessing designated inspection areas.
• Bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching as necessary to inspect electrical equipment and installations.
• Working in areas with elevated noise levels and varying environmental conditions.
• Wearing required PPE, including hearing protection and fall protection equipment when applicable.
• Carrying and operating basic inspection equipment, cameras, tablets, and documentation materials.
• Visually inspecting electrical installations, equipment, wiring, and construction activities.
• Performing computer-based reporting and documentation activities.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Type / Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, contract-based position with an anticipated project duration of approximately nine months.
The anticipated contract period is January 4, 2027, through October 1, 2027, with on-site construction inspection activities expected to begin around February 1, 2027.
The anticipated on-site level of effort is up to 1,560 hours per inspector.
The typical schedule consists of:
• Standard Workweek: Approximately 40 hours.
• Extended Workweeks: May increase to approximately 60 hours based on construction requirements.
• Daily Schedule: Workdays may extend to 10–12 hours.
• Weekend Work: Occasional weekend assignments may be required.
Work schedules may vary based on construction activities, project milestones, contractor operations, and client requirements.
Travel
This position requires on-site work in Grand Coulee, Washington throughout the assigned contract period.
Travel reimbursement may be available in accordance with project requirements and CNS policies. Specific travel and reimbursement arrangements will be communicated during the hiring process.
Work Authorization / Security Clearance
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must successfully complete required federal background screening and fingerprinting.
• Must comply with applicable federal facility security and access procedures.
• Must complete required confidentiality and nondisclosure documentation.
• Must comply with applicable federal contract requirements and site-specific security procedures.
• Must maintain professional conduct and adhere to all applicable safety and security regulations.
About Colorado Network Staffing
Colorado Network Staffing, Inc. (CNS) is a woman-owned staffing and workforce solutions company with 30 years of experience supporting government agencies and commercial clients nationwide.
CNS specializes in connecting qualified professionals with opportunities in engineering, technical services, construction support, administration, project management, and other specialized fields.
We are committed to delivering exceptional service while creating lasting connections between our clients and employees.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
CNS complies with applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination requirements governing recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, training, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Other Duties
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities associated with the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change based on contract requirements, project conditions, and client needs.
