Right of Way Permits Engineer (Engineer 6)

Nunez Community College; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) seeks an experienced engineer to serve as the statewide technical authority for Right-of-Way Permits and Joint Use Agreement programs. The role provides leadership, policy direction, and oversight for permitting activities and program implementation in East Baton Rouge parish.

This position supervises program staff, coordinates with districts and consultants, and guides complex permitting issues and high-profile projects

Qualifications

• Licensed professional engineer required; two years of licensed experience or six years of professional experience.
• Master's degree substitutes for one year; doctorate substitutes for two years; no substitution for license.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex permit, lease, and joint use agreement (JUA) activities and program operations.
• Provide engineering guidance on planning, design, construction, and permitting within state highway rights-of-way.
• Evaluate policies, standards, and procedures; propose revisions and legislative changes.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary review teams for permits and projects; advise leadership and stakeholders on complex requirements.
• Manage permit and agreement appeals; support appeal boards and prepare packages.
• Serve as subject-matter expert for permits and JUAs; represent the Department before agencies and industry groups.
• Oversee JUAs, cooperative agreements, renewals, amendments, and fee administration; coordinate with district staff.
• Supervise staff responsible for reviews, invoicing, fee collection, and program management; support legal defense as needed.
• Oversee statewide resources, training, equipment deployment, and billing; ensure effective implementation.

Job description

At the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), we plan, build, maintain, and protect the transportation systems that connect communities, support commerce, and keep Louisiana moving. Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency.

DOTD is seeking an experienced engineer to serve as the statewide technical authority for DOTD's Right-of-Way Permit and Joint Use Agreement programs, providing leadership, policy direction, and oversight for permitting activities, agreements, and program implementation. The incumbent supervises program staff, coordinates with district personnel, consultants, and external stakeholders, and provides expert guidance on complex permitting issues, policy development, and high-profile projects supporting transportation and economic development.

This role plays a critical part in advancing DOTD’s mission by supporting the development, delivery, maintenance, or improvement of transportation infrastructure by applying engineering principles, conducting technical analysis, coordinating projects, and conducting compliance-related reviews.

Professional license to practice engineering is required — training is provided with opportunities for career advancement.

This position is located in East Baton Rouge parish and reports to theEngineer 7.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency:
https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice professional engineering plus one of the following:

• Two years of licensed engineering experience; or
• Six years of professional engineering experience.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTIONS:

• A master's degree in engineering will substitute for one year of professional engineering experience.
• A doctorate degree in engineering will substitute for two years of professional engineering experience.
• Advanced degrees will substitute for a maximum of two years of professional engineering experience.
• There is no substitution for licensed engineering experience.

NOTES:

• Engineering experience gained while licensed as a professional engineer will be accepted as licensed engineering experience.
• Engineering experience gained after earning an ABET-accredited degree and prior to earning a professional engineer's license (e.g., as an engineer intern applicant, engineer intern, or equivalent) will be accepted as professional level engineering experience.
• Applications will be accepted from persons licensed to practice professional engineering in states other than Louisiana. If one of those applicants is selected for the position, he/she will be required to obtain a Louisiana license prior to appointment. The hiring agency will verify that all licensing requirements are met.
• Louisiana Professional Engineer licenses are issued by the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board. Licensing requirements may be viewed at www.lapels.com.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Manages, plans, coordinates, reviews, and oversees complex permit, lease, and joint use agreement (JUA) activities and program operations.
• Provides technical expertise and guidance on the planning, design, construction, and permitting of facilities within state highway rights-of-way.
• Evaluates program policies, standards, forms, and procedures and recommends revisions, new requirements, and legislative changes to support Department goals and permit needs.
• Provides project management for complex and sensitive permits by establishing and coordinating multidisciplinary review teams involving engineering, real estate, construction, maintenance, and legal staff.
• Advises Department leadership, legal counsel, governmental agencies, local entities, industry representatives, and other stakeholders on complex permits, agreements, and program requirements.
• Manages permit and agreement appeals, including coordinating submissions, preparing appeal packages, and supporting appeal boards in their decision-making.
• Serves as the Department’s subject‑matter expert for permits and JUAs and represents the Department before federal, state, and local agencies and industry organizations.
• Manages and approves JUAs and cooperative endeavor agreements, including renewals, amendments, real estate appraisal requirements, and related fee administration.
• Oversees statewide program resources, training, equipment deployment, billing, fee collection, and coordination with district permit specialists to ensure effective program implementation.
• Supervises headquarters staff responsible for permit and JUA reviews, invoicing, fee collection, tracking, and program management, and supports legal defense efforts, including serving as an expert witness when required.

Position-Specific Details:

Compensation: This position qualifies for a Special Entrance Rate (SER) of $4,324.80 bi-weekly. This position has a premium pay of $5.00/hour for all hours.

Additional compensation may be considered impart with extraordinary qualifications in accordance with State Civil Service Rule 6.5(g) and DOTD policy. Any such consideration is subject to approval and applicable pay limitations.

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as either a probational appointment (open to all qualified applicants); a promotion (open to all statewide classified and Agency-wide permanent status employees); Job Appointment (temporary appointment in a classified position for a limit of four years); or by detail to special duty.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Robert Isemann
Road Design Engineer Administrator
[phone]
[e-mail]

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.