Supervisor, Permits - Oahu

Hawaiian Electric•Honolulu, HI

About The Position

Supervises, plans, organizes, coordinates, and manages the operations of the Permit engineering section to provide land use permit duties in support of customer service requests, 3rd party telecommunications attachment requests, and the capital construction projects of Hawaiian Electric. Serves as the Company’s expert on land use permits and approvals. Obtains governmental permits and approvals for Energy Delivery’s capital projects on a timely basis by ensuring all application requirements are met and by fostering and maintaining positive relationships with governmental agencies. Manages all incoming requests and proposed permitting/policy changes by government agencies.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited school in relevant field (e.g. engineering, environmental science, urban planning).
Thorough knowledge of land use permit and approval requirements.
Thorough knowledge of City, State, and Federal laws, ordinances, statutes, regulations and procedures as related to governmental permits and approvals.
Working knowledge of power engineering principles and theories.
Working knowledge of company project management and construction management policies and procedures
Working knowledge of personal computers and/or mainframe systems and related software applications such as: Excel spreadsheets, MS Word, etc.
Demonstrated supervision and leadership skills, including effective written, oral, listening, presentation and interpersonal skills, in order to work effectively with all levels of the company and with outside contractors, consultants, governmental agencies, community groups and customers.
Strong analytical, organizational and conceptual skills to manage simultaneously a variety of projects, programs and assignments.
Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment, and to adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
Ability to develop, guide, and prepare staff to be knowledgeable, proficient, independent, and to gain the leadership qualities necessary to move up to higher positions and become future leaders of the company.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills to handle confrontational, difficult and/or sensitive issues. Ability to handle such issues with professionalism while using tact, courtesy and discretion.
Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license.
Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety objectives.
Extensive (8+ years) of experience dealing with governmental permits and approvals and the associated statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, or engineering and land use policies.

Nice To Haves

Hawaii Professional Engineer license or certified as a Planner by a nationally recognized professional society such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) desired
Working knowledge of LEAN continuous improvement principles and best practices to achieve operational excellence.
Working knowledge of SafeStart principles and best practices to achieve a safe workplace environment.
Supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Supervises the Permits Planner as they provide advice/guidance/recommendations to project personnel in government land use permit/approval requirements and lead times and use of policies involving cost sharing of government-related projects.
Supervises the Permits Planner as they manage both planning and archaeological consultants to establish a “complete permitting service package”. Coordinate with the Consultant to achieve a consistent and effective land use permit process which services Hawaiian Electric engineering personnel such that they can focus on their own core design responsibilities.
Fosters and maintains positive working relationships with federal, state and county governmental agencies and their employees tasked with processing permit/approval applications. Expedites approval process. Ensures that HECO processes government requests in a timely manner.
Reviews Permits Planner’s deliverables such as: land use permit/approval applications, use and occupancy and utility agreements (submittals, documents, drawings, and application forms shall be prepared by project personnel), makes necessary changes, and submits to the appropriate governmental agency. Tracks the progress of each application, communicates and negotiates with government agencies, and provides regular status reports to project personnel.
Administers policies, procedures and requirements to obtain governmental land use permits and approvals. Monitors governmental agencies for proposed changes to existing statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, engineering and land use policies, sustainable community and development plans affecting permits and approvals. Manages internal review of proposed changes and prepares responses accordingly.
Reviews Hawaii State Legislature and Honolulu City Council proposed legislative bills related to land use permits/approvals and other issues. Drafts written testimony and testifies on behalf of the company as necessary.
Coordinates review and responses for comments by Hawaiian Electric to Chapter 343 requests by outside companies on their proposed projects.
Attend government agency coordination meetings such as the City’s Government and Public Utility Task Force. Facilitate the distribution of information gained in those meetings whereby it supports Hawaiian Electric’s operation and maintenance of our electrical infrastructure in the right-of-way.
Provide training and guidance to employees and/or consultants, on governmental land use permits; and review of documents or updating protocol on Hawaiian Electric’s Archaeological and Cultural policies and practices.
Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.