Building Code Specialist

City of New York•New York, NY

3d•$62,407 - $124,836•Hybrid

About The Position

The Building Code Specialist interprets building code and zoning issues. Under direction, the position leads plan-examination mentorship, on-the-job training, quality-control programs, and special audits to improve technical competence, workload management, compliance, and consistency. The specialist provides quality-control support to Assistant Chief Plan Examiners (ACPEs) on objection reviews, zoning and ZD1 matters, schedules of occupancy, and interpretations, including ongoing face-to-face support for examiners and ACPEs. The role consults with project stakeholders—including developers, property owners, design professionals, and contractors—to resolve technical and scheduling issues. It leads dispute resolution and technical objection meetings, advises the Borough Commissioner’s office on regulatory matters, drafts high-level determinations, and partners with CPE and Borough Commissioner offices on performance analysis and process improvement. The specialist handles complex determinations and correspondence; represents the Department of Buildings at inter-agency panels, industry forums, and executive meetings; and conducts plan examinations and technical analyses for New Building and major alteration applications across borough offices. The role coordinates with code and zoning specialists across NYC boroughs to promote uniform decisions, assesses construction activities at high-profile developments during critical milestones and high-risk operations, and maintains technical documentation of proceedings and determinations. The position may be eligible for remote work up to two days per week under the Remote Work Pilot Program.

Requirements

At least seven years of full-time satisfactory experience in a construction trade or as an inspector of construction, hoists and rigging, plumbing, boilers, or elevators, including at least 18 months in a managerial or administrative capacity; or an accepted equivalent qualification pathway.
Alternatively, at least two years of qualifying construction-trade or inspection experience, including at least 18 months in a managerial or administrative capacity, plus a professional engineer license or registered architect license issued under the education law.
All candidates must have at least two years of qualifying construction-trade or inspection experience, including at least 18 months in a managerial or administrative capacity.
Equivalent experience may include apprenticeship in construction trades or building inspection, credited at one year per apprenticeship year up to three years; relevant college education, credited at 30 credits per year up to four years; or relevant formal training or education, credited at one year per year up to two years.

Responsibilities

Lead an advanced team-based plan-examination mentorship and on-the-job training program.
Develop and lead plan-examination quality-control programs and special audits to track compliance, standardize technical accuracy, and mitigate risk.
Provide quality-control support to ACPEs on objection reviews, second zoning/ZD1, schedules of occupancy, and interpretations; provide ongoing face-to-face support to examiners and ACPEs.
Consult with project stakeholders to anticipate and resolve technical, schedule, and sequence issues.
Lead internal and external dispute resolutions and technical objection meetings.
Advise the Borough Commissioner’s office on regulatory frameworks and draft high-level determinations.
Work with CPE and Borough Commissioner offices to analyze performance metrics, identify workflow bottlenecks, and develop process improvements.
Address complex determinations and official correspondence from applicants, industry builders, and the public.
Represent the Department of Buildings at inter-agency panels, industry forums, and executive meetings.
Conduct plan examinations and technical analyses for New Building and major alteration (ALT-CO) applications across citywide borough offices.
Coordinate with code and zoning specialists across NYC boroughs to promote uniform technical decisions and policy interpretation.
Assess construction activities at complex, high-profile developments, including strategic on-site assessments during critical milestones and high-risk operations such as demolition and excavation.
Maintain technical documentation of meetings, executive decisions, and regulatory determinations.