Principal Engineer, Forensic Engineering

Principal Engineer, Forensic Engineering

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 primary role of DOB’s Forensic Engineering Unit (FEU) is to ensure safety to the public within the five boroughs of New York City. The unit responds to referrals and emergencies involving complex engineering and construction problems with unsafe, collapsed, leaning, fire damaged, or otherwise structurally compromised buildings and structures, also addressing issues of egress, zoning, and occupancy.

• Work in close coordination with Borough Office management, the Emergency Response Team (ERT), New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), Inspectors and other specialized units within the Department and often other city agencies regarding the safety of compromised structures and take appropriate remedial actions.
• Responding to emergencies/incidents as needed: 24/7. Occasionally, assignments may require emergency response or similar, out of state and may necessitate more than one day on site.
• Perform in depth review of structural plans and advising on engineering issues during the construction of large or small, technically complex projects and existing buildings.
• Preparing a list of objections in accordance with Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution and other rules, regulations, and legislation as they apply to the legality of proposed building construction, alteration, or repair.
• Making recommendations for implementing technical initiatives.
• Perform plan review for a wide variety of building projects and temporary construction equipment in 2D, 3D, paper, and electronic formats.
• Meet with owners, Engineer of Record, and permitted licensed General Contractors to review project status and review compliance with building codes, laws, rules, bulletins, and enforcement initiatives for application approvals and permits.
• Coordinate with other federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and other New York City agencies.
• Represent the Department as expert and fact witness on technical and policy related matters in various legal proceedings, court proceedings, depositions, and Environmental Control Board (ECB) / Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) hearings.
• Participate in industry outreach meetings and presentations for awareness and feedback related to the Existing Buildings Compliance / Forensic Engineering portfolio.
• Working with the Assistant Commissioner of Existing Buildings Compliance (EBC), Technical Affairs, and other Department professionals to ensure the Construction Codes are in keeping with modern day construction practices.
• Performing audits of design documents, operations at construction sites and test reports submitted by Special Inspectors, Architects/Engineers of Record, owners, and Special Inspection laboratories.
• Acting as a technical resource on historic construction, concrete, steel, wood, masonry, and temporary support systems as well as related issues for public and the Department Technical and Inspectorial Staff.
• Providing interpretations of the NYC Construction Codes and other applicable laws, rules, regulations including historic codes.
• Assist the Office of Technical Affairs and Code Development with NYC Construction Code revisions related to historic construction, structural and foundation provisions.
• Prepare reports for the EBC executive staff to assist in enforcement actions.
• Issuing violations and commissioners orders to design consultants, licensed professionals, special inspectors, owners, and active construction sites.
• Assisting with the resolution of Stop Work Orders (SWOs), design errors, construction errors, and deficient engineering designs.
• Assisting with the…