[Hiring] Network Specialist - Aerial Permitting Coordinator @TDS

Role Description

Our Network Services team is looking for a Network Specialist - Aerial Permitting Coordinator to join them! In this role you will be responsible for completing tasks related to securing and maintaining the legal rights of occupancy and use of real property/land and for facility colocation (joint trench, conduits, pole attachments, etc.), for the placement of TDS facilities and equipment in advance of construction. Tasks include:

• Preparing and securing permits (e.g., Utility Pole Attachments, Railroad Crossings, Federal, State, County, and Local).
• Easements, rights of entry, and leases pursuant to requirements of law and TDS policy.
• Regularly interfacing (via email, phone, and in person) with internal teams/departments and externally with contractors, customers, property owners, government permit authorities, utilities, and railroads.

This position has the ability to work remotely in any of the 40+ States in which TDS Telecom operates.

This position can be hired at a Network Specialist - Aerial Permitting Coordinator (2026-29882) or Network Specialist I - Aerial Permitting Coordinator (2026-29883) level depending on the skills and qualifications of the candidate.

Responsibilities

• Permits:
  • Research requirements, communicate with permit authorities, attend meetings, occasional field work and travel.
  • Scope/estimate work, create tasks, work with professional service vendors to obtain data and studies.
  • Prepare applications, negotiate and submit fees, expedite and secure rights ahead of construction.
  • Update and closeout records, GIS databases and maps, care for annual requirements, payments, bonds, insurance, reporting, etc.
• Easements & Right of Entry Agreements:
  • Research local requirements, scope/estimate work, ensure compliance with law and policy.
  • Negotiate with private property owner(s), obtain survey and legal description, prepare document, secure signatures, notary, ensure payment, public recording.
  • Update records, GIS databases and maps.
• Lease work:
  • Assist with negotiation, alerts, payments, W9 issues, location issues, ownership changes, records research, phone calls, document preparation, etc.
• Any other responsibilities, duties, or tasks as assigned in support of achieving goals and objectives.
• Assist with Special Projects and Initiatives (committees, mandates, programs, customer-driven and success-based projects and needs).
• Assist with Operations (vendor and risk management, metrics, reports, scheduling, communications, research, customer service).

Qualifications

• Associate degree (or higher) –OR- 2+ years professional work experience.
• 2+ years experience in Voice, Data, or Video networking -OR- 6+ months TDS Telecom technical internship experience.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in permitting.
• Technical knowledge of Real Estate Law, Land Surveying, Project Management, GIS, Telecommunications, Engineering, Construction, and other fields is desirable.
• The independent ability to quickly learn and comprehend a wide variety of complex work, responsibilities, assignments, customer requests, inquiries, notices, alerts, issues, project documents, details, standards, plans, and maps.
• The ability to own/care for/be accountable to successfully create, organize, schedule, resource, track, update, report, communicate status, expedite, overcome obstacles/issues, complete, closeout records, and report metrics for multiple tasks simultaneously.
• The ability to comprehend and help ensure that larger team and organizational goals and initiatives are successful.
• The ability to quickly and confidently build trusting, positive, and productive internal and external professional relationships.
• The ability to utilize Microsoft Office Software, such as Outlook, Excel, Word, is required; One Note, SharePoint, Power Point, Access, Project, Clarity, Ariba, SAP, and AutoCAD skills are a plus.
• The ability to utilize ESRI GIS Software to map records and maintain geodatabase, write python scripts, build complex queries, tools, and maps is desirable.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave
• Seven Paid National Holidays & One Floating Holiday
• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks after 12 months of employment)
• Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability (for associates working 30 or more hours per week)
• TDS Service Discounts (for associates working 30 or more hours per week)
• Education Assistance (for associates working 30 or more hours per week)
• Paid Volunteer Time (for associates working 30 or more hours per week)