Permit Specialist-Business Operations

Permit Specialist-Business Operations

Location WA - Seattle

Job Family Business Operations Services

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Build the future, spark innovation, and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we’re building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We’re making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability, and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services

• engineering and design

• construction and facility services

To get where we’re going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

McKinstry is seeking a Permit Specialist, Business Operations, to join our Construction division and play a critical role in enabling successful project delivery. This position sits at the center of our project lifecycle, ensuring that permitting processes are executed with speed, accuracy, and consistency—helping teams move work forward without delay while maintaining compliance across a wide range of jurisdictions.

As a Permit Specialist, you will serve as a key partner to project managers, engineers, and field teams, coordinating the flow of essential project information and navigating complex permitting requirements across jurisdictions. From submitting permit applications to tracking progress and resolving issues, your work directly impacts project timelines, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.

In addition to execution, this role offers the opportunity to improve and modernize how permitting work is done at McKinstry. You will identify ways to streamline workflows, enhance tracking systems, and leverage tools such as SharePoint, Excel, and emerging technologies to drive efficiency and scalability across the function.

This role is ideal for someone detail-oriented and highly organized, who delivers accurate, timely results. You’ll manage shifting priorities with urgency, knowing small delays can impact execution. Success requires ownership, attention to detail, and a proactive mindset to navigate complexity and drive reliable outcomes.

This role is based in Seattle, WA and follows a hybrid work schedule .

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination

• Coordinate the requesting and obtaining of permits across the construction line of business (mechanical, plumbing, piping, electrical, fire protection, other).

• Manage prioritization and organization of permit requests.

• Coordinate administrative workflow, including both active work and forecast work, and meet all project deliverables and deadlines.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes and workflows by leveraging technology and best practices to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across permit coordination and project support activities.

• Deliver accurate, high quality and timely results.

• Coordinate project activities across team members and departments.

General Office

• Perform office administration functions as required which may include review of overhead charges, office inventory, local vendor contacts, or similar administrative duties.

Cross-functional Relationships & Customer Satisfaction

• Works in alignment with the Construction lines of business and management teams’ strategy and goals.

• Provide excellent customer service and develop strong internal customer partnerships with key internal clients.

Communication

• Communicate with and coordinate McKinstry internal resources to meet project deliverables.

• Communicate with McKinstry clients as needed to achieve shared business objectives.

• Responsible for communication and sharing of information and best practices across team members.

• Participate in purposeful outreaching and connecting to departments and regions.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

• Proficiency with Microsoft tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint).

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• High attention to detail and commitment to delivering accurate, quality work.

• Strong communication and customer service mindset, with the ability to support and collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external parties.

• Sense of ownership, accountability, and urgency in a fast-paced environment.

• Some construction (mechanical/electrical/fire protection) experience preferred.

• Exposure to CAD drawings or technical documentation preferred.

• Experience supporting business operations in a large or multi-office environment preferred.

• Demonstrate and embody McKinstry’s core values in daily work, decision-making, and collaboration.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay

• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan

• Paid time off and holidays.

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance.

• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave.

• Transgender inclusive benefits

• Commuter benefits

• Pet insurance

• “Building Good” paid community service time.

• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University

• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers.

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you’re driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $36.00 per hour; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment is _ _ contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.