Highway Permits Coordinator / Designer

State of Nebraska • Lincoln, NE

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is seeking a Highway Permits Coordinator / Designer to serve a key technical and coordination role within the Department, supporting the review of permit applications on the State highway system. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from routine installations to complex infrastructure and development-related requests, while collaborating with engineering staff, subject matter experts, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will apply sound technical judgement in evaluating supporting plans and documentation, coordinate interdisciplinary input, and facilitate the resolution of technical issues through an iterative review process. This position plays an important role in promoting consistency in the application of design standards, policies, and regulatory requirements across the state. As an NDOT employee, you will join a team of dedicated professionals performing important work to provide Nebraska with a safe and efficient transportation system. NDOT is a friendly and supportive work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We provide comprehensive health benefits, training and career development, advancement opportunities, and generous paid time off.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications: Highway Designer III: Three years of experience in highway civil engineering design, including CADD applications and practices OR post high school coursework or training in the design field mentioned above may substitute for two of the three years of experience required on a year-for-year basis.
• Highway Designer II: Coursework, training, or experience in design, drafting, engineering, highway construction, or other construction field using CADD applications and practices.
• Highway Designer I: A high school education or the equivalent AND education or experience in drafting, engineering, or highway construction.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation.
• Knowledge of: Roadway design principles, drainage concepts, and construction practices related to transportation projects.
• Knowledge of: Applicable design standards, specifications, policies, and regulatory requirements governing work within highway right-of-way.
• Knowledge of: Permit review processes and the types of supporting documentation required for technical evaluation.
• Skills in: Reviewing and interpreting plans, calculations, and technical documentation for completeness and compliance.
• Skills in: Coordinating and facilitating input from multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
• Skills in: Communicating technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Skills in: Managing and tracking multiple concurrent reviews, documentation and comment resolution in a structured and organized manner.
• Ability to: Apply sound technical judgement in evaluating supporting documentation and design elements.
• Ability to: Work independently while managing multiple concurrent reviews and priorities.
• Ability to: Facilitate iterative problem solving and resolution of technical issues through coordination with stakeholders.
• Ability to: Maintain consistency in application of standards, policies, and practices across a variety of project types.
• Ability to: Provide effective customer service while working with District personnel and external applicants.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the design and/or construction of roadways, streets, culverts, or storm sewer systems.
• Familiarity with the NDOT Roadway Design Manual, NDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, and NDOT right-of-way permit process.
• Experience reviewing plans, calculations, or technical documentation associated with transportation projects.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including engineering staff, subject matter experts and external applicants.
• Experience with OnBase or similar workflow systems used for document management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the central point of coordination within the Department for the technical review of permit applications on the State highway system.
• Review initial permit submittals for completeness and conformance with application requirements, ensuring sufficient information is provided to support technical evaluation prior to initiating formal review.
• Perform independent technical review of supporting plans, calculations, and documentation associated with permit requests.
• Coordinate the interdisciplinary review process, facilitating input from Central Complex engineering staff and subject matter experts to support consistent and timely recommendations.
• Communicate review comments and technical feedback to District personnel and applicants, facilitating iterative revisions to resolve comments and advance permit applications toward a decision.
• Manage the review of approximately 100 permit applications annually, ranging from routine installations (e.g., culverts) to complex infrastructure and development-related requests, including utility attachments to structures and large-scale residential or commercial developments.
• Ensure consistent application of state policies, practices, design standards, and regulatory requirements across all permit reviews and technical recommendations provided.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• comprehensive health benefits
• training and career development
• advancement opportunities
• generous paid time off
• pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED