Principal Engineer, Construction Safety

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Department of Buildings is seeking a Civil Engineer for the Construction Safety Engineering unit to perform high-risk project reviews and code compliance tasks.

The role requires four years of civil engineering experience and a New York State PE license; a master’s degree can substitute for one year of experience, with potential remote work up to two days per week.

Qualifications

• Four years of full-time civil engineering experience.
• Valid New York State Professional Engineer license.
• Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings and documents for high-risk construction projects.
• Audit complex projects including foundations, excavation, and scaffolding.
• Meet with consultants to review status and code compliance.
• Issue summonses to design professionals for code compliance.
• Perform field reviews and incident responses.
• Represent the department as an expert witness in legal matters.
• Collaborate on code development and regulatory oversight.

Skills

Civil engineering

Drawing & document review

Project leadership

Education

New York State Professional Engineer (PE) license

Master's degree in Civil Engineering (substitution for 1 year experience)

Job description

• Job Category: Engineering, Architecture, & Planning
• Salary Band: $100,000 to $125,000
• Compensation: USD 106,111 - USD 122,028

Job Description

The NYC Department of Buildings is responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the NYC Construction Codes, Energy Code and Zoning Resolution. We facilitate compliant development with integrity, efficiency and professionalism. We are committed to becoming a premier municipal building organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers and making our city safer. We are committed to improving our performance and developing procedures that are streamlined, understandable and transparent.

The Construction Safety Engineering unit performs engineering work for enforcement for site safety, demolition, excavation, interior demolition, and scaffold safety projects. This includes response to incidents, construction failure investigations, plan examination of high-risk construction projects, and technical (engineering) assistance to construction safety inspection units and District Attorneys' offices.

This position performs highly difficult and technically complex civil engineering work pertaining to construction safety. Under direction of the Deputy Director, the selected candidate will:

• Work independently in the Construction Safety Engineering unit to perform drawing & document review and field review of complex high risk construction projects throughout the 5 boroughs under the direction of the unit’s team leadership.
• Perform audit reviews of complex projects including support of excavation and foundations, interior demolition, and scaffolding document submissions.
• Meet with project consultants and owners representatives to review project status and compliance with the applicable construction codes including, but not limited to, the NYC Administrative and Building Codes.
• Issue Summonses to Registered Design Professionals and Special Inspectors as required for Construction Code compliance.
• Perform filed project drawing reviews for a wide variety of complex building projects and temporary construction equipment in paper and electronic formats.
• Respond to construction related incidents in coordination with responding inspection units.
• Perform forensic investigations and reviews of construction incidents including report and documentation. As part of the investigation, the candidate will manage complex, high profile construction incidents.
• Support Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Borough Commissioners on technical matters
• Represent the Department as an expert witness on technical and policy related matters in various legal proceedings.
• Participate in industry outreach meetings and presentations for industry awareness and feedback related to Engineering Services and Construction Safety Operations.
• Participate in code development and make recommendations for updating/ improving NYC regulatory oversight and Construction Codes.
• Assist in the development of unit resources and standards. Provide recommendations to the Director and Deputy Director.
• Coordinate with other federal, state and local regulatory agencies.
• Support and further the Agency’s commitment to improving operations and implementation of technology based solutions.

REMOTE WORK

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program.

CIVIL ENGINEER - 20215

Qualifications

(1) Four (4) years of full-time, satisfactory experience in civil engineering work; and
(2) A valid New York State Professional Engineer’s License. Current New York State registration as a Professional Engineer must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

A masters degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) may be substituted for one year of the civil engineering experience required in “1” above.
Special Note:
In addition to above qualification requirements, to be eligible for placement in Assignment Levels II and III, individuals must have at least one year within the last three years of experience as a major contributor or a project leader on a complex project requiring additional and specific expertise in the disciplines needed to design or construct the project.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.