PERMITS ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN 4 - 08112026-79870

Location: Chattanooga, TN – Department of Transportation, Hamilton County (Region 2 Traffic Operations Division – Permit Operations Section). Starting rate: $4,969.00 monthly / $59,628.00 annually.

Pay

$4,562.00 – $5,694.00 monthly ($54,744.00 – $68,328.00 annually).

Schedule

Full-time. Overtime, weekends, night shifts, and on-call rotation as required by workload.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to high-school graduation.
• Four years of relevant transportation operations experience and completion of the Engineering Technician Proficiency Program levels I–III, or four years of relevant transportation operations experience including at least one year leading crews/teams, training employees, and providing verbal/written instructions.
• Associate degree in a related field may substitute for two years of experience.
• Relevant experience includes full-time work in: transportation-related construction and quality control inspections; materials and testing; surveying; transportation project operations and documentation; Transportation Systems Management and Operations (e.g., Freeway, ITS, EMS, Freight, TIMs, ICM systems, Active Transportation and Demand Management).
• Possess and maintain a valid Tennessee Class D driver’s license.
• Some positions require a Tennessee Class A Commercial Driver’s License with N endorsement (no Code O restriction; Code 52 allowable) within 11 months of hire.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a pre-employment drug test for commercial driver and safety-impact positions; ongoing random testing applies.
• Extended outdoor work in extreme weather conditions.
• Work in and around construction and vehicular traffic.
• Walking on uneven terrain; climbing ladders and scaffolding.
• Carrying equipment and samples exceeding 25 pounds.
• Driving long distances as part of daily duties.
• Wearing personal protective equipment as required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Permit Operations Team by verifying that all permit applications include required documents (construction drawings, Certificates of Insurance, performance bonds, deeds, fees) and comply with permitting requirements.
• Assist with permit writing and data entry.
• Collaborate with the Permit Operations Team, TDOT Legal, and Region Leadership to review submitted documents.
• Address permittee questions and concerns regarding all permitting requirements.
• Coordinate with Region Maintenance to perform inspection requests.
• Engage with local municipalities to provide permitting schedules and TDOT comments.
• Integrate Quality Management into permit data to ensure compliance with TDOT Chapter 1680-10-01, Chapter 1680-6-1, Chapter 1680-06-03, Chapter 1680-02-04, Tennessee Code Annotated 54-20-101 et seq., and all applicable TDOT guidelines and procedures.
• Collaborate with Region Quality Teams to share acquired knowledge.
• Monitor ongoing permits and activities to track trends and generate standardized reports for evaluating Region Permit Operations metrics.
• Implement records retention policies in compliance with Records Disposition Authorization (RDA) requirements.
• Maintain accurate and organized files, records, and documentation related to permit activities and enforcement issues.
• Utilize TDOT software systems for permit processing, data management, and communication to improve processing time, data storage/retrieval, and accuracy.
• Prepare reports on permit activity, including issuance statistics, compliance issues, and other relevant metrics.
• Identify trends or opportunities for improvement in the permitting process.
• Provide exceptional customer service to ensure a transparent, predictable, and efficient permitting process, reducing turnaround times for application reviews and issuance.
• Resolve permitting questions from utility companies, property owners, and local municipalities through effective listening and communication.
• Remove barriers to efficient information sharing and enable data linkage among internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Permit Operations Supervisor to assist the TDOT Technical Training Director in developing training on permitting elements, governing rules, emerging technologies, and safety practices (e.g., trenches, confined spaces).
• Stay current on permitting best practices, IT solutions, and changes to local development codes that may impact transportation permits.
• Provide recommendations for policy and/or process changes based on acquired knowledge, data analysis, and stakeholder feedback.

Skills

• Knowledge of the Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
• Knowledge of transportation operations safety procedures and contract administration.
• Skilled in report and form writing, and in using hand/power tools and mechanical devices of the trade.
• Proficient in using light and heavy equipment, computers, and applicable programs/applications/systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, recognize potential hazards, and take precautions.
• Ability to lead teams, maintain effective work relationships, and provide tailored instruction accommodating differing learning styles.
• Ability to analyze processes and offer actionable feedback for improving effectiveness, quality, and efficiency.
• Ability to use objective thinking, focus on relevant details, and weigh outcomes to resolve issues.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from statutes, policies, procedures, specifications, and construction drawings.
• Ability to review and enforce traffic control and work zone traffic safety plans, and compliance of work site safety plans for field and laboratory facilities.