Permits & Planning Specialist
Columbus, NE, US, 68602-0499
Permits & Planning Specialist
Salary Range - $7,053.00 -$8,816.00
Location - Columbus, NE; Columbus General Office
Employment Type: Full-time
Posting Date: 6/12/2025
Closing Date: 6/27/2025
Are you hard-working and eager to make a meaningful impact in the ever-emerging energy industry? Come join us!
By joining the Nebraska Public Power District team, you’re becoming part of a close-knit community that embodies the values and traditions of the state. More than generating and delivering power, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. With safety at the helm, we have created a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and growth. Here, you’re not just an employee; you're a valued member of a family that respects and supports each other.
Our power grid has been consistently ranked one of the most reliable and resilient, but our reputation for excellence extends beyond our customer service to our employee satisfaction. Many of our team members have built lifelong careers here, advancing through the ranks thanks to our robust training programs and opportunities for professional development. With us, you’ll find a place where your efforts are recognized and rewarded, where you’re making a deep impact on the communities around you, and where you can truly power a career that you can be proud of.
Get to know us more here
Position Summary
The incumbent will possess a thorough understanding of state/federal agency rules, regulations, and state statutes to provide customers expert advice and guidance for value added services, including but not limited to the Nebraska Power Review Board (PRB), the Nebraska Public Service Coalition (PSC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Nebraska Dept. of Transportation (NDOT) Aeronautics and Roads. Responsibilities will include the preparation of PRB, PSC, FAA, and NDOT (Aeronautics and Roads) permits. The incumbent will be responsible for generating, reviewing, and administering Railroad agreements and the District's Joint Pole Agreements with other utilities. In addition, the incumbent will also possess a comprehension of, and an ability to draft legal documents for the Land Management team conveying real property interests and demonstrate the ability to build relationships with landowners and plan and coordinate public involvement activities related to Land Managements projects, as well as the coordination and management of real property acquisitions related to generation and transmission projects of the District.
This position will work closely with the Project Management Office (PMO) and the Engineering departments, project team members, contractors, and consultants of transmission line and generation facility projects, originating from the PMO, to coordinate activities for which the Land Management team has a defined role, and to implement approved project plans as they pertain to public involvement and land acquisitions for large, complex projects across the District.
Education, Training and Experience
Bachelor's Degree and 4 years' experience (OR) associates degree and 6 years' experience (OR) High school Diploma/GED and 8 years' experience.
Prior related experience: Utility related legal Agreement/Permit document preparation and administration; or experience with electric transmission and distribution engineering. Previous experience in the utility industry and real estate is strongly preferred. The incumbent should possess a broad understanding of all regulatory, operational, administrative, technical, and project management aspects of coordinating multi-disciplined projects.
Experience with any of the following permits, agreements, and/or real property related documents would be beneficial: PRB, PSC, NDOT (aeronautics and roads) FAA, Joint Pole Agreements, Title Reports, Appraisals, Warranty Deeds, Leases, and Easements. Knowledge of transmission and distribution system design and operation, ability to understand agreement/permits terms and conditions or regulating agency Rules and Regulations would be beneficial.
Licenses and/or Certifications
None required
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provide expertise and guidance to District personnel to review and ensure District facilities are compliant with various state and federal agency rules, regulations, state statutes, and permits identified above.
Determine, generate, and submit applications as determined appropriate to obtain approval from applicable county, state, and federal agencies as required to support the construction of District facilities. State and Federal agencies include Nebraska Power Review Board, Nebraska Public Service Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, Nebraska Department of Transportation (Aeronautics and Roads).
Must ensure that generation of new agreements and alterations of existing agreements will be provided diligent review to evaluate all agreement specifics to provide the most beneficial terms for the District. Independent administration will also be provided through generation of addendums and assignments, or cancellation of existing railroad agreements.
Independently manages the review and administration of Retail Service Area Agreements. Incumbent is responsible to review the service area boundaries to ensure accuracy and identify differences with other utilities and the Nebraska Power Review Board (PRB). Incumbent accepts full responsibility to manage and ensure the proper execution of PRB applications for any changes in service areas.
Independently manages the generation and administration of Joint Pole Agreements and the assembly of billing information. Incumbent will amend existing agreements as necessary to reflect changes that occur through the operation and construction of electric lines.
Incumbent will perform as District's liaison and effectively represent NPPD as determined by the Land Management Manager when interfacing with county, state, and federal regulating agencies, railroad companies, and other utilities to ensure the District's best interest with regards to applications, permits, and contractual agreements.
Incumbent will establish and maintain excellent working relationships with county, state, and federal regulating agencies, and other Nebraska utilities.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities (Continued)
Coordinate with the PMO to effectively manage the public involvement aspects of transmission line and generation projects which includes open houses, meetings with local elected officials, wholesale partner updates, and NPPD Board of Director communications. Tasks may include coordination of internal and consultant staffing, communications, displays, logistics, messaging, and on-site coordination of events. The incumbent must be able to effectively communicate with the public and address their questions as needed.
Assist as needed in daily project activities including planning, scheduling, and budgeting efforts to meet the defined project goals and objectives of the Land Management team, providing constant, accurate, effective, and timely communication with project team members, contractors, and consultants.
Actively participate in line routing discussions as needed.
Monitor social media and project web sites for accurate and strategic messaging.
Develop and coordinate right-of-way training for contracted right-of-way agents for transmission line projects and facilitate right-of-way acquisition discussions between the District and contracted right-of-way agents.
Coordinate and develop land acquisition documentation and effectively monitor and report acquisition and damage settlement progress.
Process easement, lease, and damage payments, and assist with the documentation for eminent domain processes.
Accountable for other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range. Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.
Pay Grade - 13 Monthly
Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range: $7,053.00 - $8,816.00
Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.
Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.
Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer