Joint Use & Permitting Specialist

Clearwave Fiber; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Paid time off

401(k) - company match

Employee Assistance Plan

Employee Referral Plan

Free services within service area

Tuition reimbursement

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Clearwave Fiber is seeking a Joint Use & Permitting Specialist for a remote role serving clients nationwide. You will manage end-to-end joint use processes, coordinate pole attachments, ROW permits, and regulatory approvals while partnering with engineering, construction, municipalities, utilities, and outside agencies.

The position requires excellent organization, strong project management, and the ability to handle multiple permitting activities on schedule.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in a related field or experience.
• 2–5+ years in telecommunications, utility, engineering, or permitting.
• Experience with pole attachment applications and mapping tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pole attachments and joint-use submissions with engineering.
• Lead permitting efforts for ROW, state DOT, county, and railroad crossings.
• Track permit status, renewals, and required documentation.
• Maintain permit trackers and project documentation; update stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

AutoCAD

QGIS

Quickbase

Job description

***THIS IS A REMOTE POSITION; HOWEVER THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE LOCATED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MARYLAND, MISSOURI, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, OR TEXAS.

Position Summary

The Joint Use & Permitting Specialist is responsible for managing the end-to-end joint use and permitting process supporting fiber network construction projects. This position coordinates pole attachment applications, right-of-way permits, railroad crossings, state and local permits, and regulatory approvals while serving as the primary liaison between engineering, construction, municipalities, utilities, and outside agencies.

Success in this role requires exceptional organization, strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple permitting activities simultaneously while ensuring projects remain on schedule.

What You'll Do

Joint Use & Pole Attachments

• Coordinate with Engineering to determine pole ownership and required joint use submissions.
• Prepare and submit pole attachment applications.
• Track application status through approval.
• Coordinate make-ready activities and third-party attachment requests.
• Maintain relationships with utility companies and pole owners.

Permitting & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead permitting efforts for assigned fiber construction projects.
• Prepare, submit, and manage permit applications including:
  • Right-of-Way (ROW)
  • State DOT
  • County
  • Railroad Crossing
  • Utility
• Research jurisdiction-specific permitting requirements.
• Monitor permit expiration dates and renewals.
• Coordinate permit fees and required documentation.
• Stay current on changing local, state, and federal regulations.

Project Coordination

• Partner closely with Design, Engineering, Construction, and Project Management teams.
• Track permit status and provide routine project updates.
• Maintain permit trackers and project documentation.
• Coordinate project schedules to meet construction timelines.
• Manage outside permitting vendors when applicable.
• Recommend process improvements that increase permitting efficiency.

Technical Responsibilities

• Interpret fiber construction drawings and utility maps.
• Read digital mapping and fiber design documentation.
• Update project information within permitting databases and tracking systems.
• Perform drafting updates in Vetro FiberMap, GIS, AutoCAD, or similar mapping software (preferred).

Requirements

What You'll Bring

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Professional relationship-building skills with municipalities, utility companies, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to explain technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Experience maintaining databases and permit tracking systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2–5+ years of telecommunications, utility, engineering, or permitting experience.

Experience with:

• Pole Attachment Applications
• Knowledge of OSP fiber construction.

Experience with:

• AutoCAD
• QGIS/GIS software
• Quickbase (preferred)

Working Conditions

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while using a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

Clearwave Fiber appreciates the role our associates play to help the company grow, and in return an excellent benefits package is offered to our associates to recognize the importance of their contributions, such as:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans – start when you start!
• Paid time off
• 401(k) - 100% company match (vesting and matching starts upon hire, up to 4% of eligible compensation)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Employee Referral Plan
• Free services if living within service area
• Tuition reimbursement - Clearwave encourages staff members to pursue ongoing education and gain industry certifications
• Collaborative work environment

Rest assured, Clearwave Fiber prioritizes the safety and security of our associates and customers. Job offers are contingent upon successful background checks, drug screenings, and reference checks. Once cleared, embark on a fulfilling and rewarding career journey with us.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Clearwave Fiber is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.