Senior Permit Specialist

Description

• Serve as the primary permitting lead for all projects, managing permits across city, county, state, and special jurisdictions, including BLM, the City of LA, LA County, Caltrans, and public agencies.
• Manage all communication with municipal reviewers, inspectors, public works departments, environmental agencies, and utility stakeholders to secure timely approvals.
• Navigate City of LA processes (BOE, LADOT, LADWP, Fire, Building & Safety, Planning, etc.) with fluency and accuracy to support gas pipeline and facility work.
• Identify potential permitting risks early and provide clear mitigation strategies to maintain project schedules and compliance.
• Coordinate environmental requirements including biological surveys, cultural assessments, trenching clearances, and any environmental triggers tied to utility construction.
• Maintain real-time tracking of all permits, projected approval dates, constraints, and risks, communicating updates to internal engineering, construction, and project teams.
• Ensure all approved documents, correspondence, and certifications are submitted into SoCalGas-required systems and internal Document Control.
• Respond to agency comments, resolve issues, and negotiate conditions to avoid project delays.
• Prepare and submit complete permitting packages, including applications, TCPs, engineering drawings, site plans, environmental documentation, and supporting materials.
• Use GIS tools, permitting systems, and professional networks (LinkedIn, agency portals, utility contacts) to streamline permitting and stay current with municipal changes.
• Conduct comprehensive permit research to determine all required approvals, submittal pathways, and sequencing for each gas utility project.
• Support land-use and right-of-way efforts by confirming easements, access rights, encroachments, and other land constraints affecting SoCalGas work.
• Coordinate all permits related to utility construction, including excavation, pipeline, shoring, paving, right-of-way, traffic control, encroachment, environmental, and structural permits.

Requirements

• Ability to sit/ stand for up to 8 hours per day.
• Familiarity with pipeline construction workflows, paving/restoration requirements, and environmental compliance for trenching.
• Strong knowledge of utility construction permitting, right-of-way processes, excavation and traffic control requirements, and municipal code interpretation.
• Has strong municipal relationships and understands the quirks, timelines, and expectations of Southern California agencies.
• Proficiency with GIS tools, Accela, and online permitting systems used by LA City, LA County, and Caltrans.
• Experience navigating City of Los Angeles permitting systems and requirements for utility work.
• Proven ability to independently manage permitting across multiple jurisdictions without training or oversight.
• Operates independently, requiring no training or guidance.
• Prior experience supporting SoCalGas or another gas/electric utility.
• 5–7+ years of direct experience obtaining permits for utility, gas, energy, infrastructure, or public works projects.
• Ability to move freely for up to 8 hours per day.
• Understanding of CEQA/NEPA triggers related to utility development.
• Strong communication skills and experience interfacing with public agencies, inspectors, and project teams.
• Comfortable with complex permitting for gas utility work and can anticipate jurisdictional issues early.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance