Department: Vertical Transportation
Location: New York, NY
Lerch Bates is seeking a Certification Inspector to join our NYC Vertical Transportation team. In this role, you will perform inspections of elevators, escalators, and related conveyance systems to verify compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and safety standards. Your expertise will play a critical role in helping building owners, contractors, property managers, and regulatory agencies ensure the safe operation of vertical transportation equipment.
As a Certification Inspector, you will conduct inspections of new and existing equipment, evaluate compliance with applicable codes and standards, investigate deficiencies, and prepare detailed inspection reports. You will serve as a trusted technical resource while working closely with building owners, contractors, architects, code officials, and other stakeholders throughout the inspection process.
About Lerch Bates:
Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.
Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.
We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success. It's more than a retirement benefit - it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long-term financial value while helping shape the future of the company.
What You’ll Do:
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.
Inspections & Compliance
- Perform inspections of new and existing elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other lifting equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
- Evaluate equipment and installations for compliance with applicable building codes, elevator safety codes, and regulatory requirements.
- Determine compliance or non-compliance with applicable standards and document findings accordingly.
- Verify that inspections are performed in accordance with Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements and applicable certification standards.
- Conduct follow-up inspections to verify corrective actions and code compliance.
Technical Evaluation & Reporting
- Investigate potential code violations, safety concerns, and equipment deficiencies.
- Prepare complete, accurate, and timely inspection reports for clients, building owners, and regulatory agencies.
- Document inspection findings, observations, deficiencies, and recommendations in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain inspection records and submit required documentation by established deadlines.
- Ensure all reports meet Lerch Bates quality standards and regulatory expectations.
Client & Stakeholder Support
- Interpret and explain applicable codes, regulations, standards, and inspection requirements to clients, contractors, property owners, architects, building management personnel, and code authorities.
- Serve as a trusted technical resource during inspections and certification activities.
- Maintain professional communication with clients and project stakeholders throughout the inspection process.
- Support positive client relationships through responsive service and technical expertise.
Safety & Professional Standards
- Follow established company procedures, processes, forms, and quality standards.
- Comply with all applicable safety regulations and industry best practices.
- Utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing field inspections and site visits.
- Maintain current knowledge of industry codes, technologies, equipment, and regulatory requirements.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
What You’ll Bring:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Current Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) certification required.
- New York City Department of Buildings Elevator Agency Inspector or Director License required.
- New York State Department of Labor Elevator Inspector License required.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- 10+ years of elevator industry experience preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting inspections, maintenance evaluations, audits, field supervision, or related activities preferred.
- Thorough knowledge of ASME elevator codes, industry regulations, standards, and safety requirements.
- Strong understanding of elevator, escalator, and vertical transportation systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Professional demeanor with the ability to interact effectively with clients, contractors, code officials, and building stakeholders.
- Ability to travel throughout the region on a regular basis.
- Ability to obtain and maintain any additional jurisdictional certifications or licenses required to perform inspections.
Why Work with Lerch Bates?
- Competitive base salary of $65 - $75 per hour, based on experience, qualifications, and location
- Annual performance-based bonus opportunity, with target incentive levels varying by position and based on individual and company performance.
- 100% Employee-Owned ESOP (company-funded retirement benefit that allows eligible employees to share in the company's long-term success)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
- 10 paid holidays
- 401(k) with 6% employer match
- Paid parental leave
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance and wellness programs
Become an Employee-Owner
One of the biggest advantages of working at Lerch Bates is that we are 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Unlike many companies that offer only a salary and retirement plan, eligible employees receive company-funded ESOP shares at no cost to them as part of their long-term retirement benefits.
As Lerch Bates grows, employee-owners share in the company's success. For many employees, the ESOP becomes one of the most valuable financial benefits of their career by helping build meaningful long-term wealth in addition to their salary and traditional 401(k).
When you join Lerch Bates, you are not just building better buildings. You also have the opportunity to build your financial future alongside the company's success.
Core Values
Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism
Working Environment:
This position is performed in a combination of office, client, and field environments. Work regularly takes place in occupied buildings, active construction sites, mechanical rooms, elevator machine rooms, elevator pits, hoistways, and other vertical transportation spaces.
Travel throughout the assigned service area is required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Physical Demands:
This position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and navigating active construction sites and existing buildings.
Employees may be required to work at heights, access elevator machine rooms, elevator pits, hoistways, rooftops, and other confined spaces while wearing appropriate PPE. The position may require lifting or carrying equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
Travel by automobile and occasional air travel may be required.
Mental Demands:
This position requires strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills. Employees must interpret technical drawings, specifications, maintenance records, inspection reports, and applicable codes and standards while exercising sound professional judgment.
The role requires managing multiple projects, coordinating with clients and contractors, preparing technical reports, and communicating complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.