Project Specialist, Permitting

Ezee Fiber; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Ezee Fiber in Elk Grove Village, IL seeks a Project Specialist, Permitting to independently manage permitting strategy and project coordination for fiber network deployment. You will own the permitting lifecycle, coordinate across engineering and external agencies, oversee vendors, and generate detailed permitting reports using systems like 3GIS, Smartsheet, and ESRI.

You will drive continuous improvement while maintaining strict timelines and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Engineering, Telecommunications, Construction Management, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in OSP permitting, telecom engineering coordination, or infrastructure project management.
• Strong understanding of telecom/FTTH design, permitting processes, and regulatory environments.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, site plans, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions without direct supervision.
• Ability to evaluate multiple variables and determine best course of action aligned with business objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on root cause and resolution.
• Ability to manage priorities in a dynamic environment and influence outcomes across teams.
• Exercises authority to prioritize permitting strategy across multiple projects based on business needs.
• Operates with minimal supervision, independently determining priorities and execution strategies.

Responsibilities

• Own permitting lifecycle, ensuring projects progress despite obstacles or dependencies.
• Act as single point of accountability for all permit-related activities, driving progress.
• Identify risks and develop solution-focused action plans to prevent delays.
• Collaborate across engineering, construction, and external agencies to remove barriers.
• Maintain end-to-end visibility across all permits and ensure no gaps in tracking or follow-up.
• Provide active oversight and management of vendors, ensuring deliverables meet standards and timelines.
• Track all open items and drive them to completion with urgency.
• Establish and enforce clear expectations, deadlines, and accountability for vendors and stakeholders.
• Maintain real-time progress monitoring across permits and project deliverables.
• Escalate issues and hold vendors and partners accountable to commitments.
• Maintain permit logs, dashboards, and reporting tools with accuracy and timeliness.
• Generate reporting showing permitting status, risks, and progress.
• Utilize systems such as 3GIS, Smartsheet, and ArcGIS/ESRI for tracking and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes and reduce cycle times.

Skills

Ownership

Independent Judgment

Urgency

Vendor Accountability

Problem Solving

Continuous Improvement

Prioritization

Continuous Improvement Mindset

Operational Awareness

Prioritization

Education

Associate degree or higher in Engineering/Telecommunications/Construction Management

3–5 years of progressive OSP permitting or telecom project management

Tools

3GIS

Smartsheet

ArcGIS/ESRI

Job description

OUR VALUES

At Ezee Fiber, our value lies in delivering Speed, Simplicity, and Service in everything we do. We empower our employees to move fast, work smart, and serve customers with excellence. Whether in the field, in the office, or behind the scenes, every team member plays a vital role in helping us provide fast, reliable, and straightforward connectivity solutions to the communities we serve. We are committed to building a culture of accountability, innovation, and customer focus—where everyone contributes to making Ezee Fiber the easiest and most trusted fiber provider in the industry.

JOB SUMMARY

The Project Specialist, Permitting is a professional-level role responsible for independently managing permitting strategy and project coordination activities that directly impact the execution of fiber network deployment. This role exercises discretion and independent judgment in evaluating permitting requirements, resolving jurisdictional challenges, prioritizing project timelines, and determining appropriate escalation paths.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Permitting Ownership & Accountability

• Assume full ownership of the permitting lifecycle, ensuring projects continue to progress regardless of obstacles or cross-functional dependencies
• Act as the single point of accountability for all permit-related activities, driving progress and resolution without deferring responsibility
• Proactively identify risks and develop solution‑oriented action plans to prevent delays
• Remove barriers to execution by collaborating across engineering, construction, and external agencies
• Maintain end‑to‑end visibility across all active permits and ensure no gaps in tracking, communication, or follow‑up

Vendor Management, Follow‑Through & Urgency

• Provide active oversight and management of vendors, ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, timelines, and contractual expectations
• Demonstrate relentless follow‑through, consistently tracking all open items and driving them to completion
• Establish and enforce clear expectations, deadlines, and accountability measures for vendors and stakeholders
• Maintain a high sense of urgency, ensuring time‑sensitive permitting requirements are addressed proactively
• Monitor progress in real time, maintaining full situational awareness across all permits and project deliverables
• Escalate issues appropriately and hold vendors and partners accountable to commitments

Data, Reporting & Systems

• Maintain accurate permit logs, dashboards, and tracking systems with zero tolerance for incomplete or outdated information
• Analyze data to identify trends, risks, and performance gaps impacting project timelines
• Generate reporting that provides clear visibility into permitting status, risks, and progress
• Utilize systems such as 3GIS, Smartsheet, and ArcGIS/ESRI to support tracking and reporting

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify workflow inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and recurring issues impacting permitting and project execution
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, reduce cycle times, and increase efficiency
• Recommend and implement enhancements to workflows, systems, and reporting tools
• Contribute to the development of scalable, standardized processes to support organizational growth

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Ownership & Accountability
• Independent Judgment & Decision‑Making
• Sense of Urgency & Execution Focus
• Vendor & Stakeholder AccountabilityProblem Solving & Solution Orientation
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Operational Awareness & Prioritization

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience Requirements: Associate degree or higher in Engineering, Telecommunications, Construction Management, or related field (preferred). Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in OSP permitting, telecom engineering coordination, or infrastructure project management.

Strong understanding of telecom/FTTH design, permitting processes, and regulatory environments.

Ability to interpret technical documents, site plans, and jurisdictional requirements.

Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions without direct supervision.

Ability to evaluate multiple variables and determine best course of action aligned with business objectives.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on root cause and resolution.

Ability to manage priorities in a dynamic environment and influence outcomes across teams.

Exercises authority to prioritize permitting strategy across multiple projects based on business needs.

Operates with minimal supervision, independently determining priorities and execution strategies.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Driver's License

PHYSICAL, FIELD, OR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the associate is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a stationary position for significant periods. The associate must frequently access, input, and retrieve information from computers and other office systems. Occasional movement around the office and attendance at events or meetings may be required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Minimal travel may be required for this position (up to 5% domestically).

TOTAL REWARDS

• Competitive compensation package
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and other generous benefit programs
• Tuition reimbursement

COMPENSATION

USD $65,000.00 - USD $70,000.00 /Yr.

WHY JOIN US?

At Ezee Fiber, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where innovation thrives. As the Project Specialist, Permiting you will play a critical role in building a new function that directly impacts our company’s growth and success. Join us and shape the future of the telecommunications industry with a team dedicated to excellence and innovation. We are seeking candidates that are legally authorized to work in the United States, without Sponsorship.