Permitting Specialist I - Slayton, MN

Finley Engineering Company, Inc.; Slayton (MN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering firm in Minnesota is seeking an experienced candidate for a permitting role. Responsibilities include supporting the permitting and easement processes through coordination with municipalities and internal teams. Applicants should have at least 1 year of relevant experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and hold an active MN Real Estate License. This position is onsite and may require occasional travel. Pay will be based on skills and experience.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in administrative, permitting, real estate, or coordination role.
• Active MN Real Estate License.
• Experience with utility, telecom, or public works permits.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and submit permit applications for projects.
• Research property ownership and identify parcels for easements.
• Coordinate with internal teams and municipalities for approvals.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, and project management teams to meet permit requirements.
• Maintain organized records of permit submissions, approvals, and correspondence.
• Identify and interpret permit requirements for new project areas.

Skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Effective communication

Research skills

Permitting experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Position Summary

Responsible for supporting the permitting/easement process for projects by coordinating with municipalities, utilities, and internal teams to obtain the necessary approvals for construction activities. This position focuses on permit/easement preparation, submission, tracking, and documentation to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.

Responsibilities

Permitting

• Prepare, review, and submit permit applications for projects.
• Track and maintain permit statuses to ensure timely approvals and renewals.
• Communicate with city, county, and state permitting offices to resolve issues or gather required documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, and project management teams to ensure permit requirements are met.
• Maintain organized records of permit submissions, approvals, and correspondence.
• Assist in identifying and interpreting permit requirements for new project areas.
• Support senior permitting staff with research and data entry as needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and permitting standards.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Easements

• Research property ownership and identify parcels requiring easements or right-of-way agreements.
• Prepare, distribute, and track easement documents, including exhibits, legal descriptions, and signatures.
• Communicate with property owners, local agencies, and internal teams to facilitate the easement approval process.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of easement agreements and correspondence.
• Coordinate with surveyors, engineers, and legal teams to verify easement boundaries and requirements.
• Assist in resolving minor issues related to property access, encroachments, or title discrepancies.
• Support Easement Specialist II and project management staff in compiling easement documentation for project closeout.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience

Required

• 1+ year of experience in administrative, permitting, real estate, or coordination role.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and document management systems.
• Active MN Real Estate License.

Preferred

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 1-2 years of experience in permit process/project management.
• Experience working with utility, telecom, or public works permits or projects.
• Familiarity with fiber construction or telecommunications terminology.
• Experience with easement acquisition, land records, or right-of-way coordination.

Licenses, Certifications, Training Requirements

• A valid motor vehicle driver’s license in good standing is required. No DWI/DUI convictions.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Flow of work involves normal mental and visual attention along with manual coordination much of the time.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional travel to municipal offices, courthouses, or project site locations may be required.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Location

Onsite at Slayton, MN office

Travel

Occasional travel - up to 20%

Pay Transparency

In the spirit of pay transparency, the starting base pay range listed for this position is exclusive of benefits. If you are hired at Finley Engineering, your base pay will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and experience related to the position. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and will also consider internal equity of our current associates as a part of the final offer. Hiring at the high end of the range would not be typical.

Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Finley Engineering does not intend to provide sponsorship for employment visa status for this employment position.