PERMITS UNIT CHIEF - (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN V)

Socket.dev; Collinsville (IL); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Flexible work schedules

Paid leave

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Transportation invites applications for a Permits Unit Chief in the Office of Highways and Intermodal Project Implementation, Region 5/District 8. The role focuses on issuing permits for non-utility work to protect district rights-of-way and ensure safe traffic flow on state highways.

Ideal candidates bring extensive civil engineering knowledge, supervisory experience, and strong communication skills, with proficiency in MS Office, Adobe, ArcGIS, and MicroStation.

Qualifications

• Two years of college in civil engineering technology, pre-engineering, or a related science curriculum plus six years of engineering experience; OR eight years of engineering experience.
• Extensive knowledge of civil engineering principles related to transportation projects.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to plan, organize, and execute administrative or technical program requirements.
• Ability to manage time effectively and maintain harmonious relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate with the public.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Software, Adobe, Arc GIS, and MicroStation.
• Working knowledge of MUTCD.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive evaluations of permit applications to ensure proper completion and timeliness.
• Ensures developer proposals align with permit guidelines and local land use regulations.
• Uses traffic control measures to ensure public safety during construction and road closures.
• Coordinates state, local, and permit projects to minimize conflicts and preserve highway system integrity.
• Assesses acceptability of non‑utility permits to balance safety with development needs.
• Maintains relationships with applicants, other IDOT offices, consultants, and officials.
• Trains and evaluates staff to ensure timely permit processing.
• Complies with safety rules and treats applicants and staff equitably.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Civil engineering knowledge

MS Office

Arc GIS

MicroStation

Oral and written communication

Driver's license

Education

Two years college in civil engineering tech or related field + 6 years engineering experience OR 8 years engineering experience

Tools

Arc GIS

MicroStation

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 58805 IPR#26-01723 Opening Date: 09/18/2026 Closing Date: 10/02/2026 Agency: Department of Transportation Position Title: Engineering Technician V Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $5,432 Monthly; Full Range: $5,432 - $9,713 Monthly Job Type: Salaried Category: Full Time Number of Vacancies: 1 Bargaining Unit Code: NR916 Pro Tech Teamsters Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs Work Location: 1102 Eastport Plaza Dr, Collinsville, Illinois, 62234 Work County: Madison Work Office: Office of Highways and Intermodal Project Implementation, Region 5/District 8/Bureau of Operations

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This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top‑tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

This position is accountable for the preparation and issuance of various permits for all non‑utility work to ensure the protection of district right‑of‑way investment and to maintain and/or improve the safety and efficiency of traffic movement on state highways that may be affected by such permit actions. This position also reviews state projects, local projects, and utility work affecting district rights‑of‑way and coordinates permit construction to minimize conflicts.

Essential Functions

• Conducts comprehensive evaluations of permit applications to ensure proper completion and timeliness.
• Ensures that developer proposals are reconciled with permit guidelines and local land use regulations.
• Utilizes properly designed traffic control measures to ensures the safety of the public on highways during the construction of access facilities and during approved roadway closures for local celebrations.
• Preserves the capacity, integrity, and safety of the state highway system by ensuring proper coordination of state projects, local projects, and permit projects within the district.
• Determines the acceptability of all non‑utility permits to ensure the safest mode of transportation while not deterring private industrial, commercial, and residential development.
• Maintains harmonious relationships with applicants, developers, other Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) offices and bureaus, consultants, and government officials.
• Trains, motivates, and evaluates subordinate staff to ensure permit applications are processed correctly, efficiently, and in a timely manner.
• Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all permit applicants and other state employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of two years of college in civil engineering technology, pre‑engineering, or a job‑related technical/science curriculum PLUS six years of engineering experience; OR eight years of engineering experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering related to the design, construction, and maintenance of transportation projects.
• Three years of experience in a supervisory position.
• Ability to plan, organize, and execute administrative or technical program requirements.
• Ability to plan and direct efforts of work for efficient accomplishments of program objectives.
• Ability to maintain harmonious relationships with employees, agency officials, and the public.
• Ability to adapt to new policies and manage time effectively.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and experience communicating with the public.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Software, Adobe, Arc GIS, and MicroStation.
• Working knowledge of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Conditions of Employment

• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work outdoors and traverse uneven terrain.
• Districtwide travel for site visits, occasional statewide overnight travel to attend conferences, trainings, or meetings.
• Occasional overtime during evenings and weekends.
• Successful completion of a background screening.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non‑State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non‑State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire a Permits Unit Chief.

The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost‑effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois. Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.

The department offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Employees also receive a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules in several program areas (flexible time, hybrid scheduling)
• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre‑tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually
• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually
• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually
• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non‑State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non‑State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.