Position Summary: The Permitting Specialist plays a critical role in securing the necessary entitlements, permits, and approvals required for the installation of infrastructure, both in public right-of-ways and on towers located on private properties. This role involves active communication with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with local regulations and zoning laws, working to meet project milestones, and ensuring network deployment is completed on time and within budget.
Essential Job Functions:
- Permitting and Approvals
- Submit and acquire the necessary entitlements, permits, approvals, and agreements from relevant jurisdictions for the installation of infrastructure.
- Work to secure permits both for installations in public right-of-ways and on towers situated on private properties.
- Forecasting and Milestone Management
- Responsible for maintaining accurate forecasts related to permitting timelines and milestone tasks.
- Track and ensure compliance with task deadlines to ensure that projects proceed on time and within budget.
- Regulatory Compliance and Drawing Review
- Review project drawings to ensure they meet jurisdictional standards and zoning regulations.
- Collaborate with other internal functional groups (such as engineering and construction) to resolve issues related to permitting and to facilitate project progress.
- Communication and Coordination
- Communicate directly with jurisdictional staff regarding applicable laws, codes, and ordinances.
- Provide regulatory status updates and zoning solutions to internal and external customers, keeping them informed of permitting progress and addressing any issues that arise.
- Escalation of Issues
- Serve as the escalation point for any community complaints related to network deployments, liaising with the Network Operations Center to resolve issues in a timely manner.
- Address resident complaints, ensuring the network installation does not face unnecessary delays or roadblocks.
- Representation and Public Speaking
- Represent before local government bodies such as planning authorities, city councils, and other jurisdictional agencies.
- Attend and speak at public meetings to support goals, explaining the permitting process and answering any questions raised by stakeholders.
- Vendor Management
- Manage and coordinate third-party vendors, such as expediters, outside legal counsel, and third-party inspectors, to ensure timely progress of permit applications and adherence to local requirements.
- Work closely with vendors to ensure that all necessary documentation is in place for the approval process.
- Authorization Research and Analysis
- Research and prepare detailed authorization analyses, outlining the permitting process, associated costs, and timelines for each jurisdiction being considered for new project opportunities.
- Assist in preparing documentation and analyses for project bids, ensuring all relevant factors are considered.
- Customer and Stakeholder Updates
- Provide timely zoning and permitting updates to customers and stakeholders.
- Offer expertise during customer meetings, particularly when permitting or zoning issues are raised.
Education/Certifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience is required.
- A Juris Doctor (JD) or legal background is preferred but not required.
Experience/Minimum Requirements
- At least two years of proven experience in municipal planning, land use, or the wireless industry.
- Experience in presenting and speaking to public government entities is desired.
Other Skills/Abilities
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
- High attention to detail and an ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving industry and regulatory environment.
- Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) to effectively liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to handle complex problem-solving and work with various teams to achieve objectives.
- Multitasking capabilities to manage various permitting and zoning tasks simultaneously.
Organizational Relationship
- Reports to: Manager, Network Entitlements
- Title(s) of direct reports (if applicable): N/A
Working Conditions
- Primarily works in an office setting with no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
- Local and regional travel may be required to attend meetings, meet with regulatory bodies, or conduct site visits as necessary.
Additional Information
- This position description provides an overview of the typical duties and responsibilities but may not cover all tasks the employee may be required to perform. The nature of the work may change based on project needs, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.