Bess Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Your Impact

We are seeking an experienced Permit Specialist to support OSP telecommunications projects, including work for Ziply. This role is responsible for managing permits from initial preparation through final approval while ensuring submissions meet utility, municipality, client, and regulatory requirements.

We strongly prefer candidates with NESC knowledge and hands-on permitting experience in Washington and/or Oregon, particularly candidates who have worked with PSE, Snohomish County PUD (SnoPUD), Clark Public Utilities/Clark County PUD, Portland General Electric (PGE), and Washington/Oregon city and municipal codes.

Prior Ziply permitting experience is highly preferred.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage the full OSP permitting lifecycle from kickoff through approval.
• Prepare, submit, track, and obtain telecom construction permits.
• Perform quality reviews of permit packages and engineering documentation before submission.
• Review projects for compliance with NESC standards, utility requirements, and local municipality codes.
• Manage right-of-way, encroachment, excavation, and traffic control permits.
• Coordinate directly with municipalities, utilities, engineering teams, design vendors, and project managers.
• Research jurisdiction-specific requirements and proactively resolve permitting issues.
• Track permit status and maintain accurate documentation and reporting.
• Monitor SLAs, KPIs, and project deadlines and escalate potential delays.
• Review engineering and facility information to validate permit accuracy.
• Respond to jurisdiction comments and coordinate revisions through final approval.
• Maintain organized records of applications, approvals, revisions, and jurisdiction correspondence.

Core Qualifications

• Previous OSP telecommunications permitting experience.
• Strong understanding of OSP fiber construction and engineering workflows.
• Knowledge of NESC standards and their application to OSP telecommunications projects.
• Experience working directly with municipal, county, state, and/or utility permitting agencies.
• Experience interpreting Washington and/or Oregon city and municipal codes strongly preferred.
• Experience with PSE, SnoPUD, Clark County PUD/Clark Public Utilities, PGE, or similar utilities strongly preferred.
• Ziply experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with right-of-way, encroachment, excavation, and traffic control permitting.
• Ability to review engineering drawings and permit packages for accuracy and compliance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple jurisdictions and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience with project tracking, GIS, engineering, or facility assignment databases preferred.
• NEPA/environmental permitting experience is a plus.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, if needed.

• Ideal candidate has direct experience obtaining OSP telecom permits in Washington and/or Oregon
• NESC requirements, utility standards, and local jurisdiction codes.