Project:  A major natural gas pipeline project in the Permian Basin, Texas 

Reports to:  Project Manager or ROW Supervisor 

Classification:  Full-time 

Location:  Permian Basin, Texas — on-site; travel across the project area as assigned 

Purpose 

The Senior Permitting Agent secures the non-environmental permits and crossing agreements a pipeline project needs — road, railroad, utility and pipeline crossings and local approvals — correctly and on time. Working with the client, the Project Manager, engineers, surveyors and field crews, this role turns crossing requirements into executed permits and makes sure their conditions are followed through survey, drilling and recording. 

Core Responsibilities 

•  Obtain non-environmental permits and crossing agreements — roads, railroads, utilities, pipelines and local approvals — correctly and on schedule. 

•  Communicate directly with the client on agreement language, compensation, insurance requirements, bonds and long-lead items. 

•  Work with the Project Manager, project engineers and surveyors to obtain what each permit needs — calculations, pipeline specifications and exhibits. 

•  Research surface and/or mineral ownership as needed. 

•  Take part in permit project start-up meetings and make sure every topic discussed is fully understood. 

•  Coordinate with the other permit agents and the survey, drilling and recording crews to work efficiently. 

•  Support the survey, drilling and recording phases — making sure permit conditions are followed and resolving problems as they arise. 

•  Complete all permit paperwork, and record each permit’s status, conditions and long-lead items the day they change. 

•  Represent the client and Gray Hawk with professionalism and integrity, and follow applicable laws, regulations and Gray Hawk policies. 

•  Follow Gray Hawk’s Field Safety Manual; acknowledge it and complete the Safety Training with the supervisor. 

Success Metrics 

•  Permits secured on or ahead of the schedule the project needs. 

•  Long-lead items identified and raised early, before they delay survey, drilling or construction. 

•  Permit conditions followed in the field, with problems resolved promptly. 

•  Permit status current and accurate at all times. 

•  Zero material errors in permit applications and agreements. 

•  No unresolved permit issue aging beyond 3 days without documented status. 

Required Qualifications 

•  Minimum five (5) years of right-of-way permitting experience. 

•  Experience with non-environmental permits and crossing agreements — roads, railroads, utilities, pipelines and local approvals. 

•  Texas pipeline permitting experience — e.g., TxDOT, counties, railroads and utilities. 

•  Able to read survey drawings, engineering drawings and alignment sheets. 

•  Strong communication, organization, planning and time-management skills; able to handle several permits at once. 

•  Close attention to detail. 

•  Able to work independently and as part of a team, and to take on new responsibilities readily. 

•  Able to work the project schedule, which may include extended or adjusted hours and a six-day week. 

•  Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel). 

•  Experience with land-management databases (such as Irth Land Management or comparable) and the ability to learn new client databases quickly. 

•  Valid driver’s license. 

•  Must supply their own mobile phone that can receive email, and a computer capable of doing the job effectively. 

•  High school diploma or equivalent required; a bachelor’s degree or IRWA certification is a plus. 

•  Available to start within weeks of an offer and to work on-site in the Permian Basin. 

Preferred Qualifications 

•  Experience on FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline projects. 

•  Experience researching surface and mineral ownership. 

•  Experience with ESRI GIS software. 

Pay and Benefits 

Competitive pay, per diem, and full health, vision and dental benefits; details discussed during interviews. 

Don’t meet every requirement? If you have strong pipeline permitting experience but not in Texas, we still want to hear from you.