OSP Engineer / Permit Specialist
Location
Missouri
Type
Full Time
Overview
The OSP (Outside Plant) Engineering and Permitting Specialist is responsible for the comprehensive planning, design, permitting, documentation, and execution of fiber optic network infrastructure projects. This role requires a blend of technical engineering skills, regulatory knowledge, and project coordination to ensure the compliant, efficient, and timely deployment of fiber networks. The Specialist will be a key player in developing jurisdictional handbooks, ensuring compliance with permitting requirements, managing a construction buildable analysis, and providing clear communication and documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
Permitting Guidance and Compliance:
Research and interpret local, county, state, and federal regulations related to Rights-of-Way (ROW) and fiber infrastructure deployment.
Build and maintain relationships with permitting authorities, such as city planning departments, transportation agencies, utility pole owners, and environmental agencies.
Prepare, submit, and track all necessary permit applications, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and timely approval.
Address compliance issues proactively, including challenges related to historical, environmental, or community requirements.
Coordinate field inspections as required, ensuring that construction meets all regulatory and safety standards.
2. Jurisdictional Handbook Creation and Maintenance:
Develop a comprehensive handbook for each jurisdiction, providing a clear synopsis of all permitting, engineering, and regulatory requirements for fiber deployment.
Compile detailed information on ROW regulations, utility pole requirements, and any other jurisdiction-specific compliance needs, with links and references to sources.
Include process diagrams and flowcharts with swim lanes to clarify roles, responsibilities, and task ownership across departments.
Maintain up-to-date contact information for decision-makers, influencers, and individuals providing critical information in each jurisdiction.
Update the handbook regularly to reflect changes in local regulations, requirements, and contact information, ensuring it remains a reliable and current resource for all team members.
Facilitate easy access to the handbook for team members, making it a key tool for consistent guidance on jurisdiction-specific requirements.
3. OSP Engineering and Network Design:
Design and validate both aerial and underground fiber network paths, ensuring efficient use of ROWs and adherence to engineering standards.
Develop detailed construction and engineering drawings, including High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD), ensuring designs are practical, buildable, and compliant.
Conduct feasibility studies, route analysis, and site surveys to optimize network paths and minimize potential conflicts.
Perform utility and infrastructure analysis to prevent conflicts with existing utilities and optimize network design.
Oversee pole loading analysis, make-ready engineering, and ensure compliance with pole attachment agreements for aerial installations.
Create splicing matrices and plans, coordinating with construction teams to ensure network continuity.
4. Quality Control and Technical Assurance:
Review engineering and construction plans for compliance with project goals, standards, and regulatory requirements.
Implement quality assurance processes for all OSP engineering tasks, including BOM (Bill of Materials) verification, splice documentation, and route integrity.
Conduct field audits and site inspections to ensure compliance with design specifications and quality standards.
Oversee Quality Control (QC) of HLD, LLD, Pole Make Ready, Pole Loading, BOM, Splice Matrix, and construction cost estimates.
Ensure that all engineering work adheres to industry and regulatory standards set by authorities, pole companies, and other governing bodies.
5. Construction Buildable Analysis and Execution Planning:
Develop a detailed construction buildable analysis to provide a sequential, efficient, and contiguous build plan for construction crews.
Strategically plan the order and timing of crew assignments, minimizing transit times and ensuring a smooth workflow between work zones.
Evaluate the number of construction crews and average productivity rates to create a realistic timeline and workload distribution.
Establish a construction plan with a sufficient backlog of tasks and a steady pipeline of future work to prevent downtime and maintain continuous progress.
Identify potential bottlenecks or delays and incorporate contingency strategies to keep the project on schedule.
Collaborate with engineering, permitting, and procurement teams to align construction timelines with design readiness, permit approvals, and material availability.
6. Documentation and Communication:
Maintain comprehensive records of all interactions with permitting authorities, including meetings, approvals, and compliance communications.
Develop and maintain an indexed, accessible database of permitting requirements, engineering standards, and project documentation.
Confirm all decisions and directions from city, county, state, or pole companies through email, ensuring alignment and proper documentation.
Provide daily updates on project status to internal teams, summarizing key developments, challenges, and pending tasks.
Prepare weekly progress reports for stakeholders, summarizing project status, key interactions, and any outstanding approvals or engineering tasks.
Required Skills & Qualifications
5+ years of experience in OSP engineering, fiber network deployment, or permitting, with expertise in ROW and utility pole management.
Strong understanding of local, state, and federal regulations for fiber deployment in public ROW.
Proven experience with permitting and compliance processes, including utility pole attachment requirements and make-ready engineering.
Proficiency in GIS and CAD software, including Vetro, ArcGIS, QGIS, 3-GIS, and AutoCAD, with the ability to interpret and create detailed engineering and construction drawings.
Familiarity with industry standards, including the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and National Electrical Code (NEC).
Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of fiber optic network engineering for both aerial and underground deployments, with the ability to review and create network designs.
Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of permitting and compliance requirements, particularly related to ROW and utility pole management.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with regulatory authorities, contractors, and internal teams.
Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and communicate transparently with stakeholders.
Problem Solving: Skilled in troubleshooting engineering and permitting challenges, with the ability to adapt to changing regulatory landscapes.
Attention to Detail: High level of attention to detail in quality control and documentation, ensuring compliance with all engineering and regulatory standards.
Experience with permitting software and online application portals.
