Permitting Specialist

The Hawk Group; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawk Group is seeking a senior professional to manage end-to-end roadway permitting and access approvals for power innovation projects in the Pittsburgh area. You will develop permitting strategies, coordinate with engineering, environmental and legal teams, and negotiate complex access agreements to ensure safe, compliant project execution.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree with environmental experience and a proven track record in permitting, RUMA, ROE, and railroad crossing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with environmental experience.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities required.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develops roadway/railroad permitting strategies aligning schedule, constructability, and compliance.
• Coordinates with Engineering, Environmental, Construction Management, legal and consultants.
• Negotiates RUAs, ROEs, and railroad crossing agreements balancing risk and costs.
• Interfaces with local/state agencies to align traffic engineering and maintenance requirements.

Skills

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Safety mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This role manages end-to-end roadway permitting and access approvals for fast paced power innovation projects, ensuring compliance with local, state and railroad requirements. Responsibilities include developing permitting and access strategies, coordinating across engineering, environmental, construction management, legal and external consultants; negotiating Road Use Management Agreements (RUMA), Right of Entry (ROE) agreements, and Railroad Crossing Agreements; and tracking permit conditions through construction closeout and roadway restoration. The position serves as a technical advisor on traffic engineering, maintenance on traffic (MOT), haul routes, roadway/bridge restrictions, and railroad engineering standards, supporting safe execution, stakeholder alignment, and cost-effective restoration outcomes. Senior specialists focus on strategy, technical leadership, and complex negotiations, while mid-level specialists execute drafting, submittals, tracking, field coordination and compliance follow through.

• Develops and executes roadway/railroad permitting strategies for power innovation projects, aligning schedule, constructability, and compliance needs.
• Partners with Engineering Project Managers, Environmental Permit Managers, and consultants to identify and site public road crossings, driveway entrances, and access points that can be installed and maintained safely.
• Plans contractor haul routes and access logistics, incorporating weight-restricted roads/bridges and local roadway constraints.
• Interfaces with local and state agencies (towns, boroughs, townships, cities, counties, and state DOTs) to align traffic engineering, public safety, roadway conditions and maintenance.

Education/Years of Experience:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree and minimum eight (5) years’ environmental experience

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrates excellent organizational/interpersonal skills and safety as the utmost priority
• Proven ability to negotiate agreements (RUAs, ROEs, railroad crossing agreements) that balance risk, cost, and stakeholder expectations
• Strong working knowledge of roadway construction methods and restoration standards (pavement, drainage, geotechnical, guiderail, temporary works)
• Experience coordinating with local/state agencies and railroad representatives; comfortable presenting at public meetings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and general PC skills
• Preferred: Familiarity with maintenance-of-traffic planning, oversize/overweight permitting systems, bonding/insurance requirements, and contract administration