Permit and Utility Coordinator

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Click here to learn more about our benefits!

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra's Capital Delivery Department oversees the design, construction and administration of Metra capital projects and manages the work of consultants and contractors implementing these projects. Capital projects overseen by this group include stations and parking as well as structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, traction power, and wayfinding and signs. The department also includes Project Management, NEPA, Project Controls, and Project Administration teams.

Reporting to the Director Capital Delivery Construction, the Permit and Utility Coordinator will plan, coordinate, and oversee all permitting and underground utility coordination activities for capital construction projects; minimize construction schedule risks by managing the permit approval process, identifying utility conflicts, and facilitating inter-agency coordination; and ensure projects meet permitting requirements and efficiently navigate the complex regulatory processes of the city of Chicago and surrounding communities.

The primary duties include: Act as liaison between utility companies, design teams, and staff; providing guidance throughout the permitting and utility coordination process; and to organize and combine resources to support capital construction goals. Monitor third-party consultant contracts to support early permitting; coordinate the work of consultants and assess performance; and track deliverables to ensure alignment with design teams, contractors, and compliance with municipal regulations. Oversee permitting and utility coordination activities; review applications for accuracy and completeness; perform quality assurance check on applications prior to submission and provide guidance on requirements and submission expectations; and monitor permit progress, ensure applications are submitted timely, escalating issues as needed. Standardize permitting and utility coordination workflows; create and maintain repeatable, high-efficiency tracking systems to expedite agency approvals; identify process inefficiencies and implement operational improvements; and establish best practices to ensure consistent performance across all projects to prevent construction schedule conflicts. Review procurement documents to ensure all necessary permitting and utility requirements are integrated into design and construction contracts to minimize project risks. Coordinate team's day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.