Permit and Utility Coordinator

About the role

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service. Metra's Capital Delivery Department oversees the design, construction and administration of Metra capital projects and manages the work of consultants and contractors implementing these projects.

Reporting to the Director Capital Delivery Construction, the Permit and Utility Coordinator will plan, coordinate, and oversee all permitting and underground utility coordination activities for capital construction projects; minimize construction schedule risks by managing the permit approval process, identifying utility conflicts, and facilitating inter-agency coordination; and ensure projects meet permitting requirements and efficiently navigate the complex regulatory processes of the city of Chicago and surrounding communities.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between utility companies, design teams, and staff; providing guidance throughout the permitting and utility coordination process; and to organize and combine resources to support capital construction goals.
• Monitor third-party consultant contracts to support early permitting; coordinate the work of consultants and assess performance; and track deliverables to ensure alignment with design teams, contractors, and compliance with municipal regulations.
• Oversee permitting and utility coordination activities; review applications for accuracy and completeness; perform quality assurance check on applications prior to submission and provide guidance on requirements and submission expectations; and monitor permit progress, ensure applications are submitted timely, escalating issues as needed.
• Standardize permitting and utility coordination workflows; create and maintain repeatable, high-efficiency tracking systems to expedite agency approvals; identify process inefficiencies and implement operational improvements; and establish best practices to ensure consistent performance across all projects to prevent construction schedule conflicts.
• Review procurement documents to ensure all necessary permitting and utility requirements are integrated into design and construction contracts to minimize project risks.
• Coordinate team’s day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment.
• Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or a related field OR in lieu of a degree any combination of education and experience may be substituted that equals four (4) years in permitting and utility coordination or project administration.
• Must possess a minimum of four (4) years of engineering, architectural or permitting and utility coordination experience, preferably in the railroad industry.
• Working knowledge of project and construction management practices.
• Working knowledge of municipal permitting processes of a large municipality such as Chicago along with its departments that oversee buildings, underground coordination, and water management.
• Knowledge of underground utility coordination practices including utility conflict identification, relocation techniques, and right-of-way permitting practices
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Power BI).
• Strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills to negotiate and coordinate effectively with regulatory agencies, consultants and project teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills related to pre-construction permitting and utility coordination.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills to manage multiple permit approval processes simultaneously.
• Ability to manage complex permitting processes involving multiple public agencies.
• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate the work of consultants and contractors.
• Ability to develop and document processes and procedures and provide training to improve organizational permitting and utility coordination processes.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within Metra’s 6-county region.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Pay

Salary Range $80,986.00 - $121,479.00. The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range.