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Permit coordinator helps prevent unexpected problems

From Interchange, District 4 newsletter
Utilities buried in the correct place and depth, turn lanes with proper slope, access points at least 500 feet apart – little things to the general public but vitally important when dealing with state right of way.

But those responsibilities were only a part time job until a year ago when Dave Jensen was handed the job of permit coordinator to help developers and contractors. It was as if there was a new sheriff in town.

“When I issue a permit, it’s not done,” Jensen said. “A new part of the job is to go back and check up on it. … After the permit is constructed we have to check on it—we’re doing enforcement.”
Jensen said in the past ITD never flexed its right to repair, move or remove unpermitted or incorrectly in-stalled projects, but with his new full-time position the district can keep the roads cleaner and safer.

“I want it to be a win-win situation,” Jensen said. “The department is here to help with their needs but it has to be done so it’s safe and proper.”

“We needed to improve our permitting and approval process,” Maintenance Engineer Scot Stacey said. “In the past things have come back and bitten us. With Dave, we’re making sure more people review it and see it.”

One of the goals when Jensen started was to get more people involved in the permit process, including those who know the road best – the maintenance foremen and technicians. He said better communication reduces mistakes before the permit is processed and when work is being completed.

“If we see there’s something that isn’t going to work, raise your hand and we’ll get it fixed before it’s placed,” Stacey added. “This is trying to help us improve.”

In addition to working with utility companies or developers, Jensen said his full-time role has also allowed him to become a first contact with municipalities, engineering firms and a lot of private citizens to get different kinds of information from the department. But it’s the wide variety of permits that Jensen now dispenses that allows him to provide that help.

In addition to easements and access issues, Jensen is-sues memorial and special event permits and is working with cities to improve their permit processes and needs.

Despite his steep learning curve over the last year, Jensen said his long career with ITD has really prepared him for this position. With his time on Special Crew, Rest Area maintenance and the Vegetation Crew, Jensen said every job has taught him something about each part of the district and he knows each section of road after years of seeing it at 10 mph.

“Every job I’ve had has made this job better,” Jensen said. “I’m sitting at a desk more than any other job I’ve had but I still get out and do field reviews with the fore-men and make sure everything is being done properly.”

Next up for Jensen is to work closely with other district permit coordinators and Headquarters Maintenance to make sure each part of the state receives equal treatment.

“It’s a fun job, but it’s just getting busy,” he said.