[Hiring] Network Specialist I - Route Acquisition @TDS

Role Description

In this position as a Network Specialist I - Route Acquisition , 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 offers telecommuting flexibility; however, the hiring team may show preference to candidates who reside in or within a reasonable commuting distance of Seattle, Olympia, or Tacoma, Washington.

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.
• 3+ years experience in Voice, Data, or Video networking.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurance.

Requirements

• 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 through a sense of importance and urgency surrounding task throughput.
• 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, while 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)