Technical Program Manager, Broadband Deployment, ConnectALL

Empire State Development; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Salary range specified

Job summary

Empire State Development, LLC—the ConnectALL office—seeks a Technical Program Manager to drive NY broadband infrastructure initiatives. You will streamline pole attachment and permitting processes, coordinate field audits, and manage relationships with pole owners and regulators to ensure timely project completion.

The role emphasizes in-office presence with possible hybrid schedules, requires strong project management and deep knowledge of NYS telecom deployments, and offers a comprehensive

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of professional experience in broadband/telecommunications program delivery.
• 5+ years in outside plant construction, installation, or inspection in NYS.
• Experience with pole licensing and NYS permitting processes, especially Upstate NY.
• Knowledge of broadband delivery technologies and network topologies.
• Ability to formalize field experience into systems for evaluation and reporting.
• Experience generating as-built docs, BOMs, and related project documentation.
• Strong PM, time management, organization, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and PM tools.
• Ability to travel for field verification activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead escalation and resolution of stalled applications to shorten pole attachment durations and permit times.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders and regulators to improve permitting procedures.
• Establish and maintain relationships with pole owners to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Coordinate resources for field audits to verify progress and safety compliance.
• Implement and enhance QA plans, inspection procedures, and acceptance criteria.
• Forecast and schedule resource requirements for timely field audits.
• Notify grantees and drive remediation of construction deficiencies.
• Monitor program indicators like on-time fiber delivery and deficiency progress.
• Identify risks and provide updates to ConnectALL leadership as needed.
• Incorporate relevant data attributes into tracking systems for milestones.

Skills

Outside plant project management

Stakeholder coordination

Regulatory compliance

Field coordination

Strong written/spoken communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CFOT or similar certification

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Project management platforms

Job description

Description

Basic Function: ConnectALL was established by the Governor in 2022 and authorized by the NYS Wired Act to transform New York State's digital infrastructure, facilitate a robust internet marketplace, and close the digital divide. ConnectALL, an office within Empire State Development, oversees grant programs and initiatives to invest over $1 billion in public funds.

Reporting to the Director, Fiber Deployment, the Technical Program Manager (PM) is responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of New York State's digital infrastructure initiatives. The Technical PM streamlines processes related to permitting and pole attachments and ensures the technical completion and readiness of ConnectALL funded broadband infrastructure projects. The Technical PM proactively identifies opportunities and implements solutions to accelerate broadband delivery by removing barriers related to permitting, pole attachments, and field coordination.

This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.

Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.

Work Performed

• Lead the escalation and resolution of stalled applications to reduce average pole attachment durations and permit approval times for grant-funded projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and regulatory agencies to facilitate improvements to the pole make-ready and permitting procedures.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with pole and joint pole owners across all carriers to ensure regulatory compliance and process efficiency.
• Coordinate resources to conduct physical audits of projects at varying stages to verify construction progress and confirm compliance with approved proposals and safety regulations.
• Implement and enhance quality assurance plans, inspection procedures, and acceptance criteria for the testing and approval of wireline and wireless installations.
• Forecast, schedule, and assign resource requirements for the timely completion of field audits; advance audits of project areas as the completion of construction becomes available.
• Notify grantees and ensure the timely remediation of construction related deficiencies.
• Monitor key program indicators, including on-time fiber delivery and deficiency remediation progress.
• Identify project risks, deployment concerns, and progress updates to ConnectALL leadership as needed.
• Identify and incorporate relevant data attributes into tracking systems to maintain organized records of inspection results and program milestones.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level Required: Bachelor’s degree.

Relevant Experience Required

• Minimum of 8-10 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years focused on outside plant telecommunications construction, installation, or inspection, broadband/telecommunications program management, or infrastructure project delivery.
• Experience with utility pole licensing and permitting processes across New York State, especially Upstate New York
• Strong knowledge of broadband delivery technologies (aerial/underground fiber and fixed wireless) and network topologies.
• Ability to translate field experience into formal systems for evaluating and reporting on infrastructure projects.
• Experience generating or reviewing as-built documents, bills of materials, and other documentation of broadband projects.
• Strong project management, time management, organizational, document coordination, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and project management platforms.
• Ability to travel for field verification activities.

Relevant Experience Preferred

• Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) or similar
• Experience managing the implementation of grant-funded infrastructure projects.
• Experience with State and local permitting agencies and processes such as DOT, local municipalities, and private ROW owners.
• Experience with inside plant construction, in-building wiring and roof rights and regulations associated with the deployment of broadband infrastructure within buildings.

Additional Comments

• Salary range as specified.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package.