Telecom Permitting & ROW Specialist

Department: OSP - Engineering & Design

Location: Charlotte, NC

Compensation: $28.00 - $32.00 / hour

Description

JSI invites you to join our team as a Telecom Permitting & ROW Specialist on our Fiber Design & Implementation team in our Charlotte, NC office where you'll play a critical role in advancing broadband and telecommunications initiatives that expand connectivity and drive digital inclusion—while advancing your career within a mission-driven, growth-focused organization.

Position Overview:
As a Telecom Permitting & ROW Specialist on the Fiber Design & Implementation team, you will be responsible for preparing and submitting permit applications, securing rights-of-way, and managing land access agreements to support broadband infrastructure deployment. This position works closely with engineering, design, project management, utilities, municipalities, and property owners to ensure projects stay on track by coordinating permits, ROW acquisitions, and approvals for both aerial and underground telecom construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, submit, and manage permit applications for OSP fiber construction projects while ensuring compliance with municipal, DOT, railroad, and utility permitting requirements.
• Utilize platforms such as ArcGIS to develop permit drawings, analyze routes, validate project locations, and identify potential permitting constraints.
• Coordinate with engineering, construction, project management teams, and regulatory agencies to resolve permitting issues, respond to comments, and maintain project schedules.
• Coordinate the acquisition of temporary and permanent easements required for OSP network deployment, including review of land records, plats, and ROW documentation.
• Interface with property owners, legal teams, and third-party vendors to negotiate, obtain, and execute easement agreements and resolve access-related issues.
• Maintain accurate permit and easement tracking documentation to support project schedules, reporting, and compliance requirements.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of telecommunications permitting and/or right-of-way acquisition experience, including State, Highway Department, utility, and municipal permitting requirements.
• Knowledge of telecom permitting processes, ROW acquisition, easements, utility coordination, and regulatory requirements for broadband infrastructure projects.
• Strong communication, organizational, and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, database systems, Google Earth, PDF applications, and related permitting or tracking software.
• Ability to review construction plans and collaborate effectively with internal teams, agencies, utilities, and property owners.

Preferred:

• Degree in engineering, GIS, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Experience using GIS tools such ArcGIS or QGIS for mapping and spatial analysis.
• Experience supporting fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) or large-scale broadband deployment projects.
  
  

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive salary performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k)).
• Generous PTO and travel support.
• Ongoing professional development and educational opportunities.