INSPECTOR 1 MULTIPLE DWELLINGS
Career Family: INSPECTOR
New Jersey treats Inspector 1 Multiple Dwellings as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
Eligibility comes down to a professional license. The FY2026 range lands between $58,818 and $85,742, and state payroll currently lists about 70 people in the title, most of them at Community Affairs.
How to apply
-
Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
-
Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
-
Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Inspector series
- Inspector 1 Fire Safety — $58,818 – $85,742
- Inspector 2 Fire Safety — $64,340 – $94,062
- Inspector 3 Fire Safety — $73,707 – $108,073
Its top salary lands around the 27th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 70 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $69,635. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (70)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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.
Definition
Under the limited supervision of an Inspector 3 Multiple Dwellings or other supervisory official in the Department of Community Affairs, performs field work involved in the enforcement of 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 inspections of hotels and multiple dwellings containing three or more dwelling units used for private occupancy and public accommodations for compliance with standards established by regulations. May perform field required to review the performance of municipalities contracted to conduct inspections under SLCHIP. May conduct and/or review surveys of local housing inspection needs and evaluate the capacity of local municipal governments to respond to the same, particularly large communities with extensive needs and then based on the evaluation, provides recommendations for allocation of funds. May provide technical assistance to municipalities in the preparation of conditions of authorization for participation in SLCHIP. Conducts the number of daily inspections established by the department. Serves subpoenas and other legal processes including notices of violations. Provides testimony in court hearings, acts as a witness on behalf of the state, and prepares the required notes and documentation as necessary to provide an accurate and complete testimony in such proceedings. May oversee local inspectors within SLCHIP that are 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. Inspects existing buildings subject to the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law and Regulations to ensure structural soundness. Inspects service facilities such as fire escapes, garbage, heat, elevator, electrical, and plumbing facilities of existing structures to ensure they meet regulation standards. Conducts surveys of tax assessors' records and performs door-to-door canvassing to discover the existence of unregistered buildings being used as multiple dwellings and completes the necessary forms to begin the process of registering buildings. May oversee inspectors within SLCHIP assigned to the surveying of tax deeds, title and unregistered records, including door to door canvassing to discover the existence of unregistered buildings being used as multiple dwellings then completes and/or oversees the completion of the forms required to begin the process of registering buildings. May 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. Prepares reports on which Notices of Violations and Orders to Abate are sent to owners. Re-inspects multiple dwellings sixty (60) days after being cited for violations to determine whether violations have been properly corrected. Explains Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law and Regulations to owners and tenants and provides advice on how to abate existing violations. May assess training needs and perform training of local SLCHIP inspectors to ensure a thorough knowledge of the Hotel & Multiple Dwelling Law and Regulations including all relevant codes, regulations, and policies. Works closely with individuals, community development programs, rental assistance programs, and other programs that involve housing rehabilitation and code enforcement to assist in the coordination of efforts and to provide advice. Approves alternatives to housing code requirements sufficient to meet code standards. Obtains information on hotels or multiple dwellings necessary for the Compliance Section to prepare legal documents. May 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. Monitors schedules to ensure local 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. May 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 special field investigations to verify the existence of conditions under which evictions are permitted to effect abatement of violations of Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law and Regulations. 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. May assist health departments and other municipal agencies to interpret and apply Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law and Regulations. Determines whether existing hotels and multiple dwellings are habitable or unfit for human habitation. May oversee local inspectors within SLCHIP, assigned to provide information to owners, landlords, tenants, and others on the operation and placement of smoke detectors and smoke alarms. May recommend payment to municipalities based on the fulfillment of SLCHIP requirements and review progress reports and/or field visits then ensures that adequate records support all requests for payment. May provide recommendations concerning the removal of municipalities from SLCHIP when conditions or regulatory requirements are not met. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Investigates complaints received from tenants, owners, or others and recommends necessary action. Provides information to landlords, tenants, owners, and others concerning methods of proper housing, sanitation, smoke detectors, alarms, and maintenance. Prepares and maintains inspection records of actions taken, violations found, progress made, other conditions observed, and takes photos. Verifies that the requirements for a validated certificate of registration are met including landlord identification requirements. Collects and identifies evidence to be used in Superior Court proceedings. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn how 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 license issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and terminology. Knowledge of SLCHIP fees. Knowledge of performance code standards and methods used to achieve compliance. Knowledge of plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and related terminology. Knowledge of the basic structural components of housing including soundness, state of repair, and safety of the dwellings. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of smoke detectors , alarms, including the types of alarms and detectors available. Knowledge of the methods used to determine adequate ventilation in habitable rooms. Knowledge of the signs of infestation. Knowledge of zoning requirements and terminology. Ability to interpret, apply and explain the rights of residential owners and tenants under applicable state laws. Ability to 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 involved in the work of the unit. Ability to identify and report existing and potential health and safety hazards. Ability to prepare reports. Ability to act as a witness and provide testimony under oath for the state in court hearings and proceedings. 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 learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recordings 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 if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A 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. Applicants must continue to complete the continuing education requirements to maintain their Inspector of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings license. 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.