What Does an Electrical Supervisor Do?

An electrical supervisor is in charge of overseeing electrical system installation and maintenance, as well as hiring and training new employees and ensuring that all work meets code requirements. Other responsibilities include organizing and creating worker schedules, tracking time sheets, and calculating payroll costs. The electrical supervisor is also in charge of keeping track of parts inventories for each job. The supervisor is also responsible for informing work crews of changing codes and ensuring that all work is completed safely and in accordance with industry standards. Other responsibilities include providing labor estimates to potential clients and customers, advising on which type of electrical system will work best in a particular situation, and troubleshooting job site issues.

An electrical supervisor’s education and experience typically consist of a four-year science or engineering degree combined with several years of experience in the field. The specific educational requirements for an electrical supervisor vary by location; however, most areas require some form of formal electrical education. The position of electrical supervisor is occasionally given to the most experienced employee on a crew. This employee has typically worked as an assistant to the previous supervisor and can demonstrate some leadership skills among the crew.

An electrical supervisor’s responsibilities include providing up-to-date training and education to employees. To stay current on any changes in codes, industry standards, or installation methods used in the field, the supervisor must stay current on all notices and updates pertaining to the field of electrical engineering. In order to maintain a smooth-functioning work crew and eliminate downtime issues, the supervisor also intervenes in any employee relations issues. The supervisor’s additional responsibilities include coordinating work schedules for optimal production and ensuring that all deadlines are met.

The electrical supervisor is also responsible for tallying workers’ hours and submitting them to the company’s record-keeping and finance departments. One of the supervisor’s most important responsibilities is to keep accurate work hours and inventory. Any lapse in either of these areas could result in a loss of profit for the business. Typically, the electrical supervisor inspects all work done by the electrical workers and signs off on the job when it is completed properly. The supervisor inspects projects on a regular basis for signs of incomplete or improper work and takes disciplinary action as needed.