APPRENTICE INSPECTOR, MULTIPLE DWELLINGS

Code: 55472 State Non-Competitive Range: I16 (FY 2027) Work week NE: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $52,308.32 - $75,954.22/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of an Inspector 3, Multiple Dwellings or other supervisory official in the Department of Community Affairs, receives on the job training and performs basic field work involved in enforcement of the provisions of the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Laws and Regulations either as part of a Code Enforcement team or in the State Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program (SLCHIP); does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Conducts basic inspections of hotels and multiple dwellings consisting of three or more dwelling units used for private occupancy and public accommodations for compliance with standards established by regulations.
• Assists with field work required to review the performance of municipalities contracted to conduct inspections under SLCHIP.
• Learns to conduct and/or review surveys of local housing inspection needs and evaluate the capacity of local municipal governments to respond to same, particularly large communities with extensive needs; based on evaluation provides recommendations for allocation of funds.
• Learns to inspect for and report violations by accompanying licensed Inspectors on inspections and observing them as they perform their duties.
• Learns to investigate complaints.
• Learns to interpret the provisions of the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Laws Regulations and related housing maintenance codes including internal and external maintenance standards, occupancy standards, utilities and facilities, duties and rights of owners and tenants, postings, receivership and legal provisions.
• Learns to review local Housing Inspection Program proposals to evaluate the adequacy of the proposed work program and of the proposed local inspection staff with respect to capacity and capabilities.
• Learns to provide technical assistance to municipalities in the preparation of conditions of authorization for participation in SLCHIP.
• Learns to access training needs and perform training of local SLCHIP inspectors to ensure a thorough knowledge of the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law and regulations and all relevant codes, regulations and policies.
• Learns to inspect service facilities such as fire escapes and garbage, heat, elevator, electrical, and plumbing facilities of existing structures to ensure they meet standards in the regulations.
• Learns to identify serious threats to safety or health and to determine whether or not these factors make existing hotels and multiple dwellings unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use.
• Learns to prepare and maintain inspection records of actions taken, violations found, progress made, and other conditions observed, and to take photos.
• Learns to verify that requirements for a validated certificate of registration are met, including landlord identification requirements.
• Learns to read zoning maps and how to locate properties on same.
• Learns to identify the basic features of residential and commercial blueprints, including plan views, elevation views, section views, schedules, special blow-ups, scales and dimensions, and architectural symbols.
• Learns to serve subpoenas and other legal processes, including notices of violations.
• Learns to prepare case records and identify and collect evidence for hearing or court action.
• May provide testimony in court and at hearings, may act as witness on behalf of the state, and prepare such notes and documentation as necessary to provide accurate, complete testimony in such proceedings.
• Learns to oversee the work of a team of municipal inspectors who, as part of a SLCHIP agreement, inspect hotels and multiple dwellings containing three or more dwelling units for compliance with the standards established pursuant to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law.
• Learns to oversee local inspectors within SLCHIP assigned to the inspection of the structural soundness and service facilities such as fire escapes, garbage, heat, elevator, electrical and plumbing facilities of existing structures to ensure they meet regulation standards.
• Learns to oversee local inspectors within SLCHIP assigned to the surveying of tax deeds, title and unregistered records, and door-to-door canvassing to discover the existence of unregistered buildings being used as multiple dwellings and complete and/or oversee the completion of the forms needed to begin the process to register buildings.
• Learns to monitor schedules to ensure inspectors within SLCHIP re-inspect multiple dwellings ninety (90) days after they have been cited for violations to determine whether the violations have been corrected.
• Learns to oversee local inspectors within SLCHIP to assist health departments and other municipal agencies to interpret and apply the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law and Regulations.
• Conducts surveys of tax assessors' records and performs door-to-door canvassing to discover existence of unregistered buildings being used as multiple dwellings, and completes necessary forms to begin process to register buildings.
• Prepares reports on which Notices of Violations and Orders to Abate are sent to owners.
• May assist in the coordination of efforts between the State and individuals, community development programs, rental assistance programs and other programs that involve housing rehabilitation and code enforcement.
• Learns to oversee local inspectors within SLCHIP assigned to provide information to owners, landlords, tenants and others on operation and placement of smoke detectors and smoke alarms.
• Learns to recommend payments to municipalities based on fulfillment of SLCHIP requirements and review of progress reports and/or field visits. Ensures that adequate records support all requests for payment.
• Learns to provide recommendations concerning the removal of municipalities from SLCHIP when conditions or regulatory requirements are not met.
• Obtains information on particular hotels or multiple dwellings necessary for the Compliance Section to prepare legal documents.
• Collects information on multiple dwellings used in the discharge of official duties by courts and various municipal regulatory agencies such as planning boards, zoning boards, or rent leveling boards.
• Maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Applicants must possess a valid Inspector of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings, Trainee license issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and terminology.
• Knowledge of plumbing, heating, and electrical systems and related terminology.
• Knowledge of basic structural components of housing, including soundness, state of repair, and safety of the dwellings.
• Ability to interpret, apply and explain the rights of residential owners and tenants under applicable New Jersey laws.
• Ability interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations regarding multiple dwellings.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local police, fire inspectors, owners, agents, tenants, and others interested or involved with the work of the program.
• Ability to identify and report existing and potential health and safety hazards.
• Ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to act as witness for the state in hearings and court procedures, and to provide testimony under oath.
• Ability to climb ladders to inspect roofs or other parts of the building on a high level.
• Ability to inspect hot, dusty, or damp places such as a basement or attic.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• <b>ADVANCEMENT:</b>
• Appointee's work performance will be reviewed and rated semi-annually during each twelve (12) months of the two (2) year apprenticeship program. Upon successful completion of Appointees who successfully complete the twenty-four (24) month apprenticeship program and obtain the Inspector Multiple Dwelling license, appointees will be eligible for advancement to the title of Inspector 1, Multiple Dwellings, in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures.
• The inability of an employee in the Apprentice title to attain the required level of performance stipulated in each of the twelve (12) month training periods shall be considered cause for separation from employment.
• The inability of an employee in the Apprentice title, to attain the Inspector of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings license at the end of the 24 months apprenticeship, shall be considered as a cause for separation.
• <b>SPECIAL NOTE:</b>
• Evidence of prior training, experience, and/or specialized college coursework specified within the provisions of the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwellings Act and Regulations may be submitted with your application for evaluation by the Appointing Authority for possible credit. Applicants deemed qualified may not be required to complete the entire twenty-four (24) month apprenticeship program, based upon the discretion of the Appointing Authority. The Appointing Authority is responsible for verification of the credentials.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.