Field Inspector, J-51 Inspections for the Division of Building and Land Development Services

About the Agency:

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.

- We maintain building and resident safety and health
- We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability
- We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity.

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Your Team:

The Office of Development (OOD) leads the agency’s effort to create and preserve affordable housing in collaboration with other HPD offices as well as other city, state and federal agencies. The OOD is comprised of eight divisions that administer a range of programs. These divisions include New Construction Finance, Special Needs Housing, Housing Incentives, Building and Land Development Services (BLDS), Homeownership Opportunities and Preservation, Preservation Finance, Portfolio Management and Conversions, and Compliance and Enforcement.


The Division of Building and Land Development Services leads the agency’s effort in providing architectural, engineering, cost valuation, environmental planning, and construction support services to the various divisions within HPD’s Office of Development. The Office of Development utilizes a public-private partnership model and provides loans, grants and/or incentives to assist in the finance of housing development projects that will benefit low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.

The Division of Building and Land Development Services is the largest division within the Office of Development with over 100 staff composed of seven units which include: the Bureau of New Construction Design Review Services, the Bureau of Preservation Design Review Services, the Bureau of Engineering, the Bureau of Construction Services, Environmental Planning Unit, the Policy Unit, and the Program Management Unit.

Your Impact:

As a Field Inspector for J-51 inspections, you will oversee and monitor the construction activities for projects under the J-51 program.
Your Role:

The ideal candidate should have a background in Architecture, Construction Management, or related field, and possess a thorough understanding and strong knowledge base of New York City building and construction codes, as well as Federal, State, and City housing codes and regulations, along with experience in methods and standards for preservation of multi-family housing.

Your Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Intake and Scope Services, the Supervisor for J-51 inspections determines the acceptability of building alterations and repairs as well as various supplies and materials to ensure adherence to contract specifications and regulations related to the J-51 Abatement and Exemption issued by NYC’s Department of Finance.

The Bureau of Preservation Design Review Services provides scope and intake services and J-51 Inspections for multi-family housing projects undergoing moderate rehabilitation and design review services for multi-family housing projects undergoing substantial rehabilitation. The ideal candidate must be knowledgeable of the tasks required for both types of work. S/he should have a background in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field, and possess a thorough understanding and strong knowledge base of New York City building and construction codes, and Federal, State, and City housing codes and regulations. The Supervisor of J-51 inspections will be responsible, but not limited, to the following:

- Oversee and provide guidance for staff engaged in the review of J-51 applications submitted by owners of properties applying for the benefit.
- Inspect the alterations and repairs, up to a specific amount in cost, of buildings, plant and equipment involving roofing, plumbing, electrical, sheet metal, carpentry, masonry, HVAC systems, and iron work for conformance to specifications, drawings, quantity, quality, condition and size and terms of contract.
- Review invoices and drawings to ensure completeness.
- Conduct building walk-throughs and site inspections, prepare reports on paper or/and in computer systems based on field inspection of repairs, replacement, verifies costs for projects and provides recommendations of the appropriate issuance of J-51 benefits;
- Perform inspections to identify newly installed work and make required measurements to verify that the work was done in accordance with practices and procedures that meet the requirements of New York City Building and Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, Multiple Dwelling Law, as well as City, State, and Federal housing codes and regulations;
- Keep records and prepare required reports using manual and computer systems;
- Participate in and may supervise the review of architectural, structural and mechanical plans; and
- Confer with department officials, applicants, contractors, and consultants to resolve minor disagreements regarding non-compliance with job specifications; evaluate complaints made by applicants, work with agency personnel to resolve conflicts, keep records of invoices and examinations completed.
- At times, prepare extensive and complex analytical reports regarding building repairs/replacements or related activities as needed.
- Engage in research, investigations, studies or examinations related to the architectural functions and activities of the Agency.


Preferred skills

- Thorough knowledge in all areas of design, and construction, including City, State, and Federal regulations and procedures, and methods and standards for the preservation of multi-family housing.
- Excellent trade base knowledge and familiarity with New York City government and affordable housing issues.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and to negotiate with diverse technical specialists, apply independent judgment in technical matters, take initiative, and work effectively with others.
- Excellent writing, interpersonal, organizational, communication, leadership, and negotiation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, coordinate multiple projects, and deal with complex construction issues.
- Proficient in the operation of Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
- A Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York may be required for certain assignments. If required, this license must be maintained for the duration of the assignment.
- Candidate may be subject to a background investigation conducted by the New York City Department of Investigation.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER - 34202