Inspector (Construction)

Inspectors (Construction) under general supervision, perform technical work in the inspection of construction, repair or alteration of structures to ensure conformance with building codes, standards, plans and specifications and issue summonses for non-compliance. They visit work locations and inspect structures under construction, alteration or repair, including structural components of one- and two-family dwellings to ensure compliance with laws, ordinances and approved plans and specifications; perform field surveys and sweeps of work sites and structures to check for conformance to codes, rules, laws, plans or specifications; using specified guidelines and standards, inspect structures under construction, alteration or repair for conformance to codes, rules, laws, plans or specifications; study architectural and engineering drawings of buildings and structures to obtain details for inspection; inspect and issue violations for unsafe conditions found in buildings damaged by fires or accidents and in buildings prior to or after being moved; inspect manholes, trunk lines, and transformer vaults during construction; inspect job sites for compliance with zoning and labor laws; inspect demolition of structures; inspect theaters, hotels, hospitals, halls, amusement park structures and other places of assembly as to conditions of safety; check all material used as to quality, grade marks and identifying marks; investigate and report on complaints of violations of building codes and assist in prosecution of cases; issue violations and summonses; testify in court; explain and interpret building codes and regulations; prepare reports of inspections; may supervise and train Apprentice Inspectors (Construction); and operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties. All Inspectors (Construction) perform related work.
Special Working Conditions:
Inspectors (Construction) may be required to work various shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Some of the physical activities performed by Inspectors (Construction) and environmental conditions experienced are: walking to and from inspection sites and, during the course of inspections, climbing and descending ladders and stairs to get to areas to be inspected; standing on scaffolds to inspect work; standing for extended periods of time; working in confined areas; wearing hard hats; bending and stooping during inspections; climbing over and around various objects; walking in areas that may be damp, dark, dusty, smoky or acrid; and working outdoors in all kinds of weather. (This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

How To Qualify:
You may be given the test before we verify your qualifications. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the education and experience requirements for the examination before submitting your application. If you are deemed "Not Qualified," your application fee will not be refunded and you will not receive an Admission Notice or score.

As per Section 54(2) of the Civil Service Law, the education requirement needed to qualify must be met by November 25, 2027. The experience requirement needed to qualify must be met by the last day of the Application Period (November 25, 2026). The license requirement must be met by November 30, 2026.

Education And Experience Requirements:
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; 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 semester 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 an accredited college or university, 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. Experience not considered acceptable: working as a roofer, painter, sheet-metal worker, metal lather, sheetrock taper, glazier, or insulation installer. The trade or technical school or vocational high school must be approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization. The college or university must be 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). If you were educated outside the United States, you must have your foreign education evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States. This is required only if you need credit for your foreign education in this examination. For more information see the Foreign Education Evaluation Guide in the Required Information section. During the Education and Experience Exam (EEE), you will get instructions on converting part-time experience to the full-time equivalent. You must final submit your Education and Experience Exam in OASys by midnight Eastern time on the last day of the Application Period, and once you Final Submit, no changes can be made. Failure to click Final Submit by the deadline will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive a score or a refund of the application fee. Driver License Requirement: A Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York may be required for certain assignments. This license must be maintained for the duration of the assignment. Drug Screening Requirement: You must pass a drug screening in order to be appointed
Residency Requirement Advisory:
City residency is not required for this position, unless you accept an appointment after selective certification for Special Patrolman (see below).
English Requirement:
You must be able to understand and be understood in English.
Proof of Identity:
Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove your identity and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with an agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Department of City

The multiple-choice test will be given at a computer terminal. Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on an eligible list. You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass the test. The multiple-choice test is designed to assess the extent to which candidates have certain knowledge and abilities determined to be important to the performance of the tasks of a Inspector (Construction). Task areas to be tested are as follows: Inspection Procedures, Communication and Education, and Administrative Duties. The test may include questions on knowledge of the proper use of materials utilized in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures; proper construction procedures/techniques used (e.g., by carpenters, masons, plasterers, iron workers) in the construction of houses, buildings, or other structures; safe work practices and the use of personal protective equipment as related to construction safety; construction plans and specifications and/or blueprints and building specifications; the New York City Building Code and Zoning Regulations; the proper use of Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Excel, Word, and Outlook) to access, create, and communicate job-related information (e.g., reports, emails); the operation of mobile devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet) to access or communicate job-related information; standards of proper employee ethical conduct; and other related areas. The test may also include questions requiring the use of the ability to understand written rules, regulations, guidelines or procedures and apply them to new situations; pay close attention to detail and to the accuracy

of one's own and others' work (e.g., to identify mistakes or violations, to produce accurate reports); use sound judgment and make effective, timely decisions on the basis of the facts and information at hand; and
any of the following abilities:
Number Facility: the degree to which adding, subtracting, multiplying & dividing can be done quickly & correctly. This can be steps in other operations like finding percentages & taking square roots. Example: An Inspector (Construction) may use this ability to perform job-related calculations. Written Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs. Example: An Inspector (Construction) may use this ability to read and understand work orders pertaining to the NYC Building Code. Written Expression: Using English words or sentences in writing so that others will understand. Example: An Inspector (Construction) may use this ability to produce accurate reports free of grammatical errors. Certain questions may need to be answered on the basis of documents or other information supplied to the candidates on the date of the multiple-choice exam.

City residency is not required for this position, unless you accept an appointment after selective certification for Special Patrolman (see below).