PERMITS UNIT CHIEF - (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN V)

Illinois Comptroller; Collinsville (IL); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Hybrid scheduling

Pension Plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking a Permits Unit Chief to oversee the issuance of permits for non-utility work and safeguard district rights-of-way. The role focuses on coordinating state, local, and utility projects to minimize conflicts and protect traffic movement.

The position requires knowledge of civil engineering principles, leadership experience, and strong communication with the public and officials.

Qualifications

• Two years of college in civil engineering technology, pre-engineering, or a related technical/science curriculum plus six years of engineering experience, or eight years of engineering experience.
• Extensive knowledge of civil engineering principles for transportation projects; strong supervisory and organizational abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the public and agency officials.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and issue permits for non-utility work to protect district rights-of-way and ensure safe traffic movement.
• Review state projects, local projects, and utility work affecting district rights-of-way; coordinate permits with conflicts minimized.
• Coordinate with IDOT offices, consultants, and officials; ensure timely permit processing; oversee staff performance.

Skills

Civil engineering

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

Two years of college in civil engineering tech/pre-engineering

Eight years of engineering experience

Tools

MS Office

Adobe

ArcGIS

MicroStation

Job description

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PERMITS UNIT CHIEF - (ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN V)

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

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 ofOperations

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

Why Work for Illinois?

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:

• 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