Electrical Authority Having Jurisdiction (E-AHJ)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking an Electrical Authority Having Jurisdiction (E-AHJ) in the Environment, Health, & Safety (EHS) division. This site-wide authority interprets electrical codes, governs electrical safety, and accepts risk across all facilities and projects, reporting to the EHS Division Director. The E-AHJ oversees premises and programmatic electrical systems, including equipment safety programs, non-listed and lab-built equipment, and field evaluations. The role requires deep technical expertise in electrical codes and DOE directives, plus strong leadership to operate in a high-trust, matrixed environment. Success depends on technical credibility and disciplined leadership—establishing policies, delegating tasks, and applying authority with restraint and professional judgment.

Key responsibilities:

E-AHJ Statutory Authority, Code Interpretation & Final Determinations

• Serve as the sole Electrical Authority Having Jurisdiction for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in accordance with NFPA and DOE requirements. This includes serving as the institutional EAHJ for Electrical Installation, Electrical Safe Work Practices, and Electrical Equipment compliance in accordance with NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, and other applicable codes.
• Provide oversight of qualified and trained staff performing electrical safety functions that includes electrical installation officers, electrical safety officers, electrical engineers, electrical code compliance professionals, electrical inspectors, and LOTO SMEs.
• Provide oversight for programmatic wiring, electrical equipment safety programs, non-listed equipment, and utilization equipment design and installations.
• Provide authoritative interpretation and enforcement of applicable electrical codes and standards, including NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 70E.
• Establish and maintain site-wide electrical safety policies, determinations, and governance frameworks in coordination with EHS leadership and Laboratory management.
• Ensure the policy and program outlined in PUB 3000 and the RPM are accurate and compliant with both DOE Contract and federal regulations and are properly implemented across the Lab. 
• Resolve differences of opinion between electrical installation officers (EIOs), inspectors, engineers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
• Exercise authority to make final determinations and approve waivers, equivalencies, and alternate methods.
• Act as a resource and provide final determinations for staff who review and approve complex electrical work plans, LOTO procedures, and subcontractor Job Safety Plans.
• Participate in or review investigations related to electrical safety incidents or near-misses.

Electrical Safety Governance, Stewardship & External Interface

• Enforce maintenance and quality of inspection records by electrical installation inspectors and electrical equipment inspectors.
• Establish and maintain records, databases, and audit mechanisms for determinations, inspections, and field evaluations.
• Participate in formal appeals processes and provide technical input to Laboratory leadership and the Chief Operations Officer as required.
• Represent the Laboratory in interactions with DOE, regulators, third-party evaluators, and external review bodies on matters related to electrical safety and code compliance.
• Promote a culture of electrical safety, professional integrity, and mutual respect across Facilities, Engineering, EHS, and Science Divisions.

Leadership

• Manages cross-divisional staff, including the Deputy Electrical Safety Officer, the Facilities Division Electrical Safety Officer, the ALSU electrical inspection professional, and the Electrical Safety Specialist/LOTO Program Manager in the execution of daily tasks.
• Reviews and approves technical determinations made by the Facilities Electrical Installations Officer (EIO). Resolves any discrepancies and has the final decision on approvals of the EIO’s determinations.
• Provides high-level technical consultation and strategic direction to program leads. Independently manages workload distribution across multi-disciplinary teams to ensure operational continuity, technical assurance, and the efficient attainment of Lab-wide safety and compliance goals.
• Leads the application of Integrated Safety Management (ISM) principles in assigned functional areas.
• Develops staff expectations and evaluates overall performance.  Assures accurate and appropriate performance management of employees, including reviewing performance of technical competencies and ability to meet established goals and objectives.  Develops meaningful performance expectations and development plans for each team member.  Writes performance reviews.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 20 years of experience, or Master’s degree and 15 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in occupational safety with a concentration in electrical safety or electrical engineering.
• Demonstrated experience functioning in an AHJ, senior electrical authority, or equivalent role with decision-making responsibility, preferably in a DOE Laboratory, National Laboratory, nuclear facility, or other high-hazard or compliance-driven scientific research facility. 
• Expert knowledge of:
  • NFPA 70 (NEC) and NFPA 70E
  • Working knowledge of DOE orders, directives, and guidance applicable to electrical installations and electrical safety
• Strong understanding of:
  • Electrical distribution systems
  • Programmatic and experimental electrical systems
  • Non-listed and lab-built equipment
  • Electrical equipment field evaluations
• Ability to apply risk-based decision-making while maintaining code intent and safety outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, trust, and professional credibility, rather than positional authority alone.
• Proven skill in setting clear policy and guardrails while empowering qualified professionals to execute within their authority.
• High level of integrity, consistency, and fairness in decision-making.
• Ability to work occasional off-hours to support critical operations, inspections, incident response, or emergent electrical safety matters.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any certifications or qualifications required by Berkeley Lab within six months (or one year of hire into this position).

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• NFPA Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP)
• ICC Electrical Inspector or Plans Examiner certification
• LBNL Qualified Electrical Work (QEW) 3

Notes:

• Appointment Type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid). 
• Salary Range: This position is expected to pay $227,000 to $275,000 annually; salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, as well as aligned with the internal leadership peer group. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position.
• Background Check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work Modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.