Waterfront Permits Building and Compliance Inspector

Job Description

Agency Description:
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across five boroughs.

Job Description:
SBS Waterfront Permits Unit regulates construction permits related to improvements and maintenance of marine construction and waterfront properties under its jurisdiction. Permitting operations include reviewing scope of construction, plan examinations for compliance with New York City Zoning and Building Code, issuing construction permits, conducting inspections, reviewing technical inspections reports, close-outs and issuance of certificates of completion, compliance and records management, and reports preparation.

Under the general supervision of the Chief Waterfront Officer or the Director of Waterfront Permits, the Building and Compliance Inspector would be responsible for examining construction plans for compliance with the Building Code and Zoning Resolution. Reviewing temporary place of assembly permits, temporary use permit, and after-hour variances, and scheduling coordinated inspections for those would be part of the Inspectors responsibilities. Special Inspection Reports and application close-outs would need to be reviewed prior to conducting building and waterfront property inspections for compliance with NYC Building Code, and all applicable laws and requirements. The inspector shall prepare records and reports following the inspections. If the inspections are found to be satisfactory, then he or she may recommend issuance of completion certificates. If not then pending items may be reported, and in some cases notices of violations may be warranted.

Working closely with the SBS legal counsels, the Inspector would assess the need to issue a Vacate’- or Stop Work’- Orders (SWO) and assess any penalty fees associated with the violations. If necessary, in some situations, coordination with DOB and FDNY may be required for inspections and enforcement.

In addition to landside inspections, the Building and Compliance Associate Inspector may be required to do waterside inspections which entails arranging for an inspection boat through SBS procurement procedures and boarding a small or large boat depending on the waterbody visited, ranging from a creeks to open waters along the Rockaways.

The Inspector must be experienced and able to inspect multi-disciplinary job types including site-safety during construction, excavations, and demolitions. Routine and Final inspections would be conducted for permitted application. Spot checks for Work-without-Permit’ shall be reported and may be subject to Violations and applicable appropriate enforcement action. The Inspector will assist the Director to develop applicable forms and procedures for the inspection program and also develop communication and response notifications.

In this role the inspector would also assist the waterfront permitting operation with records management, records review, records management, inspection and compliance report preparation, inter-agency reviews and inspections coordination, drafting notices of violations, assessing fees for applications and penalties as applicable, and ensuring accuracy and compliance with processes.

Responsibilities will also include periodically updating all permitting forms, developing notification forms for applicants and contractors, review operational procedures to be consistent with DOB and other waterfront regulations, assisting the Director to develop the inspection program and fee schedules, and if needed be available to support the Plan Exam team with technical reviews and records management.

Responsibilities under the supervision of the Director would include:
- Review applications and construction permits status for expiration and validity.
- Review close-out reports and familiarize with applications prior to scheduled inspections.
- Schedule and conduct routine, spot, and final inspections for permitted applications.
- Review and Inspect Site-safety compliance and site-manage credentials.
- Prepare inspections reports and recommendations for issuance of Notices and Certificates of Completion.
- Develop notifications and reporting procedures for unsafe conditions during construction and incidents on construction sites.
- Issue Notices of Violation, or Violations, for non-compliant, or un-permitted, or un-safe construction activities.
- Arrange to conduct coordinated inspections with FDNY and DOB, as required.
- Support the operation with application coordination, scheduling, and client communications, as required.
- Support the operation with reviews of TPAs, TUPs, AHVs, and Permit Renewals.
- Prepare and maintai