Permitting Project Manager

Our mission is to make life better by connecting people through innovative communication systems.

We are seeking a Permitting Project Manager to oversee all activity with regards to his or her projects including, but not limited to, supervision of employees, project staffing, customer needs, workflow, service level agreements (SLA) adherence, financial performance, timely invoice approval, quality control, and all other aspects of work related to his or her projects.  This role is customer facing requiring clear communications skills, both verbal and written, as well as polished and professional personal interactions.

Responsibilities

• Liaison between cities and jurisdictions, and build meaningful, long-term relationships in various markets.
• Guide teams and participate with research and prepare documentation for required permits, right of ways, easements, and land use for telecom projects.
• Create and maintain reports, while tracking progress of multiple projects – for complying with conditions of approvals from municipalities for meeting customer delivery deadlines.
• Obtain all necessary permitting / zoning approval from Federal, State, and local agencies - Inform other internal functional groups about requirements and regulations of government entities and municipalities to assist with compliance with general conditions of approvals at permit and construction stages of the project, and to meet project timelines.
• Oversees the preparation and submission of permit packages for permit applications adhering to strict standards and regulations.
• Monitor staffing needs in the project group along with maintaining staffing projections.
• Ensure that a Scope of Work is in place for all their projects.
• Create and adhere to revenue, gross profit, accounts receivable, and staffing forecasts.
• Act as the liaison between customers and the internal operations of the project group. This is to ensure that customer’s expectations are met and maintain goodwill for future business.
• Execute project implementation/startup and continuous production management.
• Monitor projects to improve the quality of the work and to reduce the time and cost of project throughput.  
• Create and promote the company image through exercising sound and ethical business practices as related to employees, the public and customers. This includes ensuring that service and quality provided to customers is superior to that of our competition.
• Meet regularly with key personnel to ensure that information flows in both directions and to ensure that stated goals and objectives are met.
• Implement corrective actions, as appropriate, on any project to meet cost targets, and completion schedules.
• Ensures subordinates’ abilities are adequate for their responsibilities and develops training and cross training for ongoing skill development.
• Assist personnel with interpreting customer drawings, project documentation, and technical specifications.
• Conducts performance reviews for all direct reports.  Does follow up on reviews with substandard grading.  Create an environment in which the rating of an average employee is continually challenged.  Create goals for employee during review and have mid-year follow up on said goals.
• Complete invoicing within Service Level Agreements including follow up on unpaid invoices.   Make sure purchase orders are in place prior to work startup.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by their supervisor.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in permitting design, government affairs or related work in a Utility / Permitting environment in a related industry preferred.
• 5+ years of Project Management experience in utility permitting or related field preferred.
• In-depth understanding of NESC 202X code requirements preferred.
• Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Advanced understanding of local, state, and federal regulations related to underground utilities, coupled with the ability to effectively incorporate these regulations into permit drawings,
• Advanced understanding of Telecom OSP Engineering and Construction standards to apply design standards to underground and aerial pole line cable plant, including Joint Use Design, Pole Replacement, Primary Service, and Reliability/Maintenance Design.
• Proven leadership of a Make Ready Team to Perform structural loading calculations using O-Calc or Spida-Calc in accordance with NESC and pole owner protocol through inventory and analysis of pole type and class, riser details, attached facility type including weight and diameters, span footages, drip loops etc.
• Ability to create 3-dimensional model of poles in O-Calc and Spida-Calc to provide results to ensure safe and proper attachment to power and telecommunication poles.
• Analytical and observational skills, which demonstrate ability to, plan projects, review/recommend technical specifications, coordinate staffing needs, communicate, and manage all aspects of a project.  
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment is crucial.
• Effectively work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential.
• Proven ability to solve problems creatively.
• Persuasive, encouraging and motivating with the ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including upper management, clients, and other departments.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, vendors, and customers/clients of all demographics and professional levels.  Also, be able to gain credibility with them to effectively complete tasks.
• Must be willing to learn new product lines and technologies to serve the departmental needs and goals.   
• Able to handle employee issues and confrontation effectively and in a timely manner.
• History of successful customer communications and relationship management.

Additional Information

• This is a customer-facing position which will require up to 50% travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must have good, reliable home internet.

Shift is Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm CST but must have flexibility to work outside normal business hours.

Compensation: base salary range 75k-95k plus incentives.

Benefits: healthcare, retirement, paid leave (e.g., sick leave, PTO, company holidays), life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, FSA, education reimbursement, wellness reimbursement, and employee assistance program (EAP).