Senior Building Consultant, North East

Salas O’Brien, Inc.; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Wellness programs and employee aid

Job summary

Haag, a Salas O’Brien company, is seeking an experienced Senior Building Consultant for a Northeast hybrid role. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, insurance carriers, attorneys, and contractors, guiding projects from initiation through final delivery with independent judgment and technical expertise.

Key responsibilities include property damage evaluations, field data collection, and management of client expectations, budgets, and schedules.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate or bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience conducting property or building inspections and evaluations.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience preparing repair/restoration estimates for damage events.
• Experience with mid-to-large loss projects and working with insurance carriers is preferred.
• Credentials such as IICRC, RRO, or Xactimate certification are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform property damage evaluations including measuring, documenting, and photographing building components.
• Lead field measurements, site surveys, and data collection with specialized equipment.
• Prepare estimates, scopes of work, and cost estimates using Xactimate and RSMeans.
• Manage client relationships, scope, budget, and deliverables across projects.
• Draft clear, technically sound reports and presentations for clients and attorneys.
• Lead client meetings and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams on project outcomes.

Skills

Building inspections

Project management

Client relationship

Technical reporting

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Xactimate

RSMeans

SwiftEstimator

Bluebeam

Excel

Excel

Job description

At Haag, a Salas O’Brien company, we’ve been a trusted leader in forensic engineering and consulting since 1924, helping clients solve complex, high-stakes problems when it matters most. We’re known for technical excellence, integrity, and clear, defensible conclusions. We’re equally committed to building a career environment where talented engineers can do their best work, grow their expertise, and make a real impact.

In June2024, Haag merged with Salas O’Brien, expanding what’s possible for our team. Haag remains focused on forensic engineering, and we now offer the added strength of a broader, employee-owned organization. This brings deeper technical resources, expanded collaboration, and more opportunities to build your career across a wide range of disciplines and industries.

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We are engineered for impact, and we bring that same commitment to our people as we do to our projects. We live our values every day: Inspire, Achieve, and Connect, as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for energy, manufacturing and industrial process, data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more. Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in delivering outstanding customer service and building long-term careers.

Job Summary:We’re seeking an experienced Senior Building Consultant in the North East. In this hybrid role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, insurance carriers, attorneys, contractors, and other project stakeholders. Success requires independent judgment, technical expertise, project leadership, strong client service, and the ability to manage assignments from initiation through final delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Property Damage Evaluations

• Measure, document, diagram, and photograph roofs, buildings, structural components, foundations, crawlspaces, slabs, and other affected areas.
• Inspect residential and commercial roofing systems and evaluate damage caused by wind, hail, water intrusion, fire, heat, smoke, explosions, structural movement, collapse, and other events.
• Determine the extent of damage and recommend appropriate repair, replacement, or restoration methodologies.
• Collect and preserve samples or evidence when appropriate and coordinate debris removal activities when required.
• Develop repair scopes, restoration recommendations, drawings, and cost estimates.

Field and Technical Activities

• Set up, calibrate, operate, and maintain specialized field equipment and instrumentation.
• Perform data acquisition, field measurements, site surveys, documentation, and analysis.
• Research materials, construction methods, manufacturers, suppliers, and applicable industry practices.
• Prepare estimates, drawings, and scopes of work using Xactimate, RSMeans, SwiftEstimator, and similar platforms.

Project and Client Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients and projects and manage expectations regarding scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting budget, schedule, quality, and reporting expectations.
• Prepare clear, concise, technically sound reports, scopes of work, estimates, analyses, and presentations.
• Review contractor schedules, invoices, bids, repair proposals, and change orders for completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness.
• Conduct scope negotiations, support agreement development and project execution, and monitor restoration or reconstruction activities when requested.
• Provide responsive, professional customer service and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.

Litigation and Client Management

• Develop expert opinions supported by field investigations, industry standards, and accepted construction practices.
• Assist attorneys and clients with technical evaluation of claims and disputes.
• Prepare exhibits, analyses, and supporting documentation for litigation matters.
• Participate in depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trial proceedings when assigned.

Client Engagement and Business Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with insurance carriers, adjusters, attorneys, restoration contractors, and other industry partners.
• Actively pursue opportunities for repeat business and new client acquisition.
• Participate in proposal development, project interviews, and marketing initiatives.
• Support regional growth strategies and national account development.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients and projects.
• Manage client expectations regarding scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
• Participate in industry organizations, conferences, and educational presentations to strengthen client relationships and promote company expertise.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and service offerings.

Leadership

• Mentor, develop, and coach consultants by sharing technical expertise, strengthening professional skills and supporting career growth.
• Lead client meetings and present technical findings to diverse audiences.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and make independent technical decisions.

Qualifications and Experience:

Experience

• High school diploma or GED required. An associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred; equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience conducting residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional property or building inspections and evaluations.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience preparing repair and restoration estimates for damage resulting from environmental conditions, weather events, construction defects, structural or material deficiencies, and ground movement.
• Experience with mid-to-large loss commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential restoration projects as a contractor, consultant, or comparable professional is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing complex commercial losses exceeding $1 million in repair value is preferred.
• Experience working directly with insurance carriers, adjusters, attorneys, restoration contractors, property owners, and other project stakeholders is preferred.
• Prior forensic consulting, expert witness, litigation support, or dispute resolution experience is highly desirable.
• Industry credentials such as IICRC, RRO, General Contractor License, Adjuster License, or Xactimate certification are highly desired. A Commercial General Contractor license is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in Xactimate is required. Experience with Symbility, RSMeans, SwiftEstimator, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Excel is preferred.
• Strong understanding of insurance claims, construction methods, restoration practices, property damage assessment, estimating, and repair methodologies.
• Ability to independently manage assignments from project initiation through final delivery and manage multiple projects, budgets, schedules, and competing priorities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, mathematical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional reports, client presentations, and group meetings. A redacted work sample may be requested.
• Ability to interpret written, verbal, diagrammatic, and schedule-based instructions and solve practical problems in situations involving limited standardization.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong computer and technology skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship or other legal restrictions.

Physical and Travel Requirements:

Travel

• Travel by vehicle or plane is required, primarily within the local and regional area. Approximately 25% of travel may involve overnight stays.
• Use of a personal vehicle is required. A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record must be maintained.
• Extended travel may be necessary during catastrophe response events.
• Occasional work in excess of 40 hours per week may be required to meet project and client needs.
• Work may be performed in the field under extreme or challenging conditions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described below represent those encountered while performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Climb ladders, stairs, scaffolds, and roofs and work in confined spaces.
• Lift, carry, position, and set ladders, scaffolds, and field equipment.
• Walk considerable distances while carrying field equipment and work on uneven or irregular terrain.
• Work in hot, humid, arid, cold, wet, icy, noisy, and other challenging conditions.
• Wear and work in required personal protective equipment.
• Maintain vision sufficient to drive safely and conduct detailed field inspections, including adequate peripheral vision and depth perception.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required. An associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred; equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Location:

• Remote – New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey are ideal locations

Compensation and Benefits:

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $125,000 per year. Variable compensation is anticipated to range from $0 to $20,000 per year and is not limited to that amount. The anticipated total compensation range is $85,000 to $145,000 per year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, location, and other job-related factors. Haag offers competitive compensation, performance-based incentives, and comprehensive benefits.

This role is also eligible for a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here .

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or better.

Experience

Required

7 years:

7 years: Minimum of 7 years of experience conducting residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional property or building inspections and evaluations.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.