Zoning Compliance Specialist

The Agency:
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) 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 the premier municipal building organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers and making our City safer.

Your team:
The Code and Zoning Interpretation Division, headed by the Assistant Commissioner for Code and Zoning Interpretation, consists of two units: The Architecture unit, and the Code and Zoning Interpretation unit (CZI).

The CZI Division provides various code and zoning technical support to the borough offices, including specialty units such as Cranes and Derricks, Elevators, Legal Affairs, and the Enforcement team. Through such technical support, the CZI Division help initiate code or zoning changes as necessary to help streamline code and zoning processes and remove barriers.

Your impact:
The City of Yes Zoning Text Amendments, the largest zoning reform proposal since the 1961 Zoning Resolution amendments, is expected reduce carbon footprint, increase economic opportunities, and create more housing city-wide. Due to the charter’s mandate to enforce Zoning, DOB expects that these sweeping changes will ignite great number of developments of all scales, including the creation of Ancillary Dwelling Units. Recently, the city passed legislation to establish basement and cellar dwelling unit Legalization Program in certain community districts. As the Zoning Compliance Specialist, you will work with a team of seasoned engineers, architects, and city planners to improve the zoning review process of development applications and ensure zoning compliance under the City of Yes Zoning Amendments and the City’s Basement Legalization Program, with the mission of promoting code and zoning complying future housing in New York City.

Your role:
Reporting to the Director of Code and Zoning Interpretation, the selected candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to the following:

• Performing parallel, independent, comprehensive zoning review of DOB applications with respect to zoning compliance, including City of Yes, Ancillary Dwelling Units, and other zoning provisions.
• Assisting DOB Borough offices and DOB Inspection teams in the review of basement legalization applications.
• Performing independent quality check of initial zoning objections raised by plan examiners.
• Collaborating with plan examiners and Assistant Chief Plan Examiners to ensure issuance of accurate and relevant zoning objections, including prior to the issuance of zoning approvals.
• Training, mentoring and collaborating with plan examiners daily in order to increase their knowledge and qualifications to perform progressively more complex and challenging zoning review.
• Providing field inspection supports to DOB Zoning inspection team, including but not limited to property zoning background research, data gathering, and joint-onsite inspections.
• Assisting with investigations and enforcement actions, including the issuance and resolution of violations.
• Working with Senior Zoning Specialist(s), Director of Code and Zoning Interpretation and Director of Architecture to produce findings and reports for zoning review and compliance of buildings.
• Drafting of internal guidance documents, such as internal standardization and technical standards and guidance to industry.
• Participating in the creation and delivery of training and educational documentation to internal staff as well as to the public with respect to NYC Zoning Resolution.
• Working with other city agencies on zoning related issue, pilot projects, studies, and to improve their code and zoning interpretation process.
• Providing assistance to borough zoning determinations and Technical Affairs zoning determinations.
• Working with technical staff to produce DOB internal training materials for subjects related to the NYC Zoning Resolution.
• Answering correspondence including inquiries from the general public, elected officials, and the press office.
• Representing DOB at inter-agency and industry meetings as required.

Site inspections 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 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.

Work Location:
Citywide, Unit assignment and work location are based on operational need. Transfers may occur at any time with sufficient notice.

ADMIN ARCHITECT (NON MGRL) M-1 - 1000A