Network Specialist I - Route Acquisition

About the role

Overview At TDS Telecom, connecting people is at the heart of everything we do. We are forward thinkers who leverage cutting-edge fiber internet technology to strengthen communities. We are dedicated to excellence, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact? In this position as a Network Specialist I - Route Acquisition, you will be responsible for completing tasks related to securing and maintaining the legal rights of occupancy and use of real property/ land and for facility colocation (joint trench, conduits, pole attachments, etc.), for the placement of TDS facilities and equipment in advance of construction. Tasks include preparing and securing permits ( ex. Utility Pole Attachments, Railroad Crossings, Federal, State, County, and Local ), easements, rights of entry, and leases pursuant to requirements of law and TDS policy. In this position, you will regularly interface ( via email, phone and in person ) with internal teams/departments and externally with contractors, customers, property owners, government permit authorities, utilities and railroads. This position offers telecommuting flexibility; however, the hiring team may show preference to candidates who reside in or within a reasonable commuting distance of Seattle, Olympia, or Tacoma, Washington.

Responsibilities

• Permits (research requirements, communicate with permit authorities, attend meetings, occasional field work and travel, scope/ estimate work, create tasks, work with professional service vendors to obtain data and studies, prepare applications, negotiate and submit fees, expedite and secure rights ahead of construction, update and closeout records, GIS databases and maps, care for annul requirements, payments, bonds, insurance, reporting, etc.)
• Easements & Right of Entry Agreements (research local requirements, scope/estimate work, ensure compliance with law and policy, negotiate with private property owner(s), obtain survey and legal description, prepare document, secure signatures, notary, ensure payment, public recording, update records, GIS databases and maps.)
• Lease work (assist with negotiation, alerts, payments, W9 issues, location issues, ownership changes, records research, phone calls, document preparation, etc.)
• Any other responsibilities, duties or tasks as assigned in support of achieving goals and objectives.
• Assist with Special Projects and Initiatives (committees, mandates, programs, customer driven and success based projects and needs).
• Assist with Operations (vendor and risk management, metrics, reports, scheduling, communications, research, customer service)

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications: Associate degree (or higher) -OR- 2+ years professional work experience. 3+ years experience in Voice, Data, or Video networking. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance.
• Other Qualifications: Technical knowledge of Real Estate Law, Land Surveying, Project Management, GIS, Telecommunications, Engineering, Construction, and other fields is desirable. The independent ability to quickly learn and comprehend a wide variety of complex work, responsibilities, assignments, customer requests, inquiries, notices, alerts, issues, project documents, details, standards, plans and maps and review them for completeness, risks, policy compliance and to help determine/ estimate the scope of work, timelines and costs for tasks and the best practices required for their successful completion. The ability to own/ care for/ be accountable to successfully create, organize, schedule, resource, track, update, report, communicate status, expedite, overcome obstacles/ issues, complete, closeout records and report metrics for multiple tasks simultaneously within expectations of cost, time, quality, etc. while working independently and/or