Permitting Specialist

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

IONNA, based in Durham, NC, is seeking a Permitting Specialist to manage zoning and permitting for EV charging projects across the United States. This is an in-office role with some remote flexibility and strong vendor coordination.

You will oversee AHJ submittals, track milestones, ensure codes and brand standards, and liaise with deployment managers and external consultants to secure approvals and smooth project execution. Up to 50% travel.

Qualifications

• Preferred Education: Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree.
• A minimum of 1 year in Development/Permitting: Direct experience submitting zoning, entitlement, and building permit applications across municipal jurisdictions.
• Site Infrastructure Focus: Prior work in EV charging, commercial solar, telecommunications, or commercial retail rollout with high-volume, multi-jurisdictional submittals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-development research for local zoning laws and permit requirements across U.S. markets.
• Prepare, submit, and track zoning and building permit packages.
• Review engineering drawings with deployment managers and consultants for compliance.
• Act as liaison during AHJ review, manage resubmittals, and clear plan check comments.
• Oversee status of permitting workflows, maintain dashboards, escalate delays.
• Process final permit sign-offs and transfer permits to deployment teams.

Skills

Regulatory fluency

Detail oriented

Process driven

Reading comprehension

Documentation

Education

Civil Eng/Construction Mgmt degree

Tools

Salesforce

SiteTracker

Bluebeam

Monday.com

Confluence

Job description

This is a primarily onsite role based in Durham, NC. While occasional remote work flexibility is available, candidates should expect to work onsite the majority of the time and be actively engaged with local teams and leadership.

Target Base Range for this role is $65k-$80k, dependent upon experience.

About Us

Are you ready to electrify your career and drive the future of sustainable transportation? Join IONNA, the groundbreaking joint venture founded by eight automotive titans, as we redefine the EV charging landscape across North America.

Job Summary

We’re seeking a Permitting Specialist to support the execution of EV charging station design projects. This role is focused on submittal of zoning & permitting applications for a range of site locations across the United States. Working hand in hand with iONNA Deployment Managers & assigned Design Vendor Consultants initial AHJ submission, AHJ review, AHJ issuance of zoning/permitting applications and ensuring alignment with IONNA’s brand, product intent, and technical standards.

This is a hands-on, in office role that requires strong project ownership, vendor coordination, and attention to detail. While the role is primarily focused on execution, there may be opportunities to influence permitting practice standards and team growth over time.

Mission

Track and obtain permits to construct EV chargers.

Key Responsibilities

• Jurisdictional Research & Entitlements: Conduct pre-development research to identify local zoning laws, municipal codes, and building permit requirements across U.S. markets to set accurate timeline expectations.
• Permit Application Submittal: Support, Prepare, Submit, and track zoning and building permit packages for EV charging station projects, ensuring all necessary documentation, fees, and forms are fully completed.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with iONNA Deployment Managers and exterior Design Vendor Consultants to review engineering drawings and verify they meet both municipal codes and iONNA’s brand and technical standards prior to submittal.
• Plan Check & Comment Resolution: Act as the primary liaison during the AHJ review phase, managing resubmittals, coordinating drawing updates with iONNA Deployment Manager, and clearing plan check comments to secure prompt approvals.
• Milestone Tracking & Reporting: Oversee the status of all active permitting workflows, keeping project dashboards updated and proactively escalating potential jurisdictional delays to key stakeholders.
• Permit Issuance & Closeout Support: Process final permit sign-offs, transfer active permits to deployment teams for construction, and handle any necessary scope changes or permit renewals through project completion.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Project Throughput: Number of sites successfully completed for first AHJ submittals
• Zoning & Permitting Average Life Span: Average elapsed time from A&E submission to completion of issuance zoning approvals & issued permits.
• Submission Completeness: Number of complete submissions divided by number of total submissions measured monthly.

Up to 50% travel may be required for this role. This may consist of traveling to attend AHJ pre-app meetings and zoning hearings, at times on short notice, to facilitate successful permit approvals.

Education & Experience Qualifications

• Preferred Education: Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree
• A minimum of 1 year in Development/Permitting: Direct experience submitting zoning, entitlement, and building permit applications across municipal jurisdictions.
• Site Infrastructure Focus: Prior work in EV charging, commercial solar, telecommunications (cell towers/fiber), or commercial retail rollout where high-volume, multi-jurisdictional submittals are common.
• Excellent documentation and file management skills
• Excellent reading comprehension skills. Ability to read regulatory requirements (e.g., zoning and building codes) and translate to project requirements.
• Process-driven, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Regulatory & Zoning Fluency: Deep understanding of local land-use ordinances, National Electrical Code (NEC) basics, and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) review processes. P
• Permitting Software: Familiarity with municipal online portals and project tracking software (e.g., Salesforce, SiteTracker, Bluebeam, Monday.com, Confluence)
• Preferred Experience: Demonstrated ability to read project drawings and design reports

Why IONNA?

• Be part of a pioneering venture backed by the world's leading automakers.
• Work with state-of-the-art technology that's reshaping the automotive industry.
• Contribute directly to a sustainable future powered by renewable energy.
• Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your ideas can make a real difference.
• Unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and visibility in a rapidly expanding field.

Join the Charge

This isn't just a job – it's your chance to be a driving force in the EV revolution, with unparalleled exposure to industry leaders and decision-makers.

Based in Durham, NC, with a hybrid work model, you'll have the flexibility to innovate and the resources to succeed.

Are you ready to electrify your career, gain exceptional visibility, and leave your mark on the future of transportation?

We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team. IONNA is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.