Senior Inspector, Sidewalk Sheds and Scaffolds

City of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work up to 2 days per week

Job summary

City of New York is seeking an Inspector (Construction) to supervise field inspections for NYC Construction Codes and related rules. The role emphasizes coordination, reporting, and enforcement of safety standards across projects involving sidewalk sheds and scaffolds.

The position may include remote work up to two days per week under the Remote Work Pilot Program, with responsibilities spanning field inspections, documentation, and cross-agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience in relevant construction trades or inspection authority as described.
• Licensure as P.E./RA or Site Safety Manager provides eligibility for higher-level assignments.
• Sixty credits toward civil/architectural fields or equivalent training accepted for placement.

Responsibilities

• Assist and support leadership with daily operations.
• Schedule and monitor sidewalk shed and scaffold inspections.
• Attend meetings and conduct outreach related to sidewalk sheds and scaffolds.
• Respond to incidents, issue violations and stop-work orders; verify licenses.
• Explain and enforce applicable laws and rules; coordinate joint inspections.
• Testify at ECB hearings, depositions, and court as needed.
• Study drawings to obtain inspection details; maintain records and reports.
• Supervise inspection staff and coordinate workflow to meet unit goals.
• Review inspection routes and ensure compliance with protocols.
• Train subordinates in their duties; represent the department in meetings.

Skills

Communication skills

Blueprint reading

Plan interpretation

Public speaking

Technical inspection knowledge

Education

P.E. or RA license

Site Safety Manager license

Sixty college credits

Construction program training

Apprentice program completion

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Job description

This position performs highly technical and supervisory work in the inspection of construction, repairs or alterations of structures for conformity with NYC Construction Codes, Department rules, other pertinent laws and rules, and approved plans and specifications.

• Assists and supports the Director, Chief, and Assistant Chief with daily operations.
• Creates and maintains a system for scheduling and monitoring sidewalk shed and suspended and supported scaffold inspections.
• Attends meetings and handles outreach that pertains to the sidewalk shed and scaffold industry.
• When conducting inspections in the field, responds to, reports and investigates accidents, incidents and complaints; issues violations, summonses and stop work orders; and verifies licenses of onsite workers.
• Explains and enforces laws and rules relevant to the field.
• Coordinates and makes joint inspections with other inspectors and makes special field inspections.
• Testifies as needed, including at ECB, depositions, and court.
• Studies drawings to obtain details for inspections.
• Maintains records and make reports.
• Supervises inspectorial staff; prioritizes, assigns and coordinates workflow to ensure timely achievement of unit goals.
• Monitors, adjusts and approves inspectors’ routes and submitted inspection records per relevant protocols.
• Train subordinates in their duties.
• May review applications relevant to the field.
• Represents the Department at meetings and conferences with representatives of public agencies and private entities.
• May operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.
• May perform special assignments as needed.

CIVIL SERVICE STATUS

Only those who are permanent in the Inspector (Construction) civil service title, applicants who are reachable on the Inspector (Construction) open competitive list, and applicants as indicated below will be considered.

REMOTE WORK

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

INSPECTOR (CONSTRUCTION) - 31622

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Two years of full-time satisfactory experience working in the construction trades as a carpenter, mason, ironworker, plasterer, architect, engineer, building construction superintendent, or inspector of building construction, or in related work. Working as a roofer, painter, sheet-metal worker, metal lather, sheetrock taper, glazier, or insulation installer is not acceptable experience; or
• 2. A license as a professional engineer or registered architect issued pursuant to the New York State Education law or a license as a Site Safety Manager issued by the NYC Department of Buildings; or
• 3. Sixty credits towards a degree in civil engineering, engineering technology, architecture, architectural technology, construction management, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university; or
• 4. One year of experience as described in “1” above and one year of formal training or education in an acceptable construction program given in a college, technical school or trade school; or
• 5. Completion of an apprentice program, a minimum of two years in length, in a construction trade or building inspection; or
• 6. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1,” “3,” “4,” or “5” above
• 7. To be eligible for placement to Assignment Level II, individuals other than licensed professional engineers, registered architects, or Site Safety Managers, must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, either (a) at least three additional years of experience as described in “1” above or (b) a baccalaureate degree in civil engineering, engineering technology, architecture, architectural technology, construction management, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.
• 8. To be eligible for placement to Assignment Level III, individuals other than licensed professional engineers or registered architects must have, after meeting the requirements for Assignment Level II above, at least one additional year of experience as described in “1” above.
• 9. To be eligible for placement to Assignment Level IV, individuals other than licensed professional engineers or registered architects must have, after meeting the requirements for Assignment Level III above, at least one year of experience as described in “1” above in a supervisory capacity.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in construction inspections and knowledge of the NYC Building Code, Zoning Resolution, and other applicable laws and rules under the jurisdiction of the Department of Buildings.
• Knowledge of Local Law 47, 48 and 50 of 2025 (regarding sidewalk sheds).
• Knowledge of Local Law 11 (Façade Inspection and Safety Program).
• Written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to explain technical requirements in lay terms.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprint plans and specifications.
• Computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio required.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

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.