About the role
The Utility Specialist owns the power path for IKE deployments in an assigned region, from identifying a source during siting through energization. Power is the longest path in our process and the one that most often sets our finish date. Today it is carried by Project Managers alongside everything else.
The right person knows how utilities work, is persistent about moving applications forward, and builds the kind of relationships that get a call returned. They understand that power has to be sequenced against construction, not simply accelerated, and they know how to make sure make-ready is complete before the kiosk lands.
What you'll do
- Run the utility availability inquiry during siting, confirming the serving utility, likely source, and whether service is realistically available before a site is committed
- Flag sites where power presents a problem while it is still inexpensive to change course
- Prepare and submit utility applications and service agreements and drive them through utility review
- Drive make-ready design and construction so that utility work is complete before kiosk installation rather than after
- Coordinate meter set, inspection, and final energization with the utility, the Project Manager, and field crews
- Sequence utility work against the construction schedule so energization follows installation closely
- Serve as the primary IKE contact for each utility in assigned markets, meeting regularly rather than only when an issue arises
- Document each utility's process, lead times, fee structure, escalation paths, and requirements
- Own the backlog of sites awaiting energization, working them as an active list and escalating anything aging
- Report weekly on applications submitted, make-ready status, energization forecast, and sites at risk
- Establish a repeatable utility workflow and the milestones needed to make the utility path measurable in SiteTracker
- Travel to assigned markets according to business needs for utility meetings and field coordination
Qualifications
- 3+ years coordinating electrical service or utility work for infrastructure, telecom, construction, or similar deployment programs
- Direct experience submitting utility applications and driving service requests through to energization
- Working knowledge of make-ready, service design, metering, and inspection sequencing
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain working relationships with utility staff
- Strong organization and follow-through, with a track record of not letting work sit
- Experience with SiteTracker, Salesforce, or a similar project tracking system
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to travel according to business needs
Preferred
- Experience with both investor-owned and municipal utilities
- Experience with small cell, fiber, digital signage, transit, or streetscape infrastructure
- Familiarity with electrical permitting and inspection processes
- Experience standing up a process rather than following one
- Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent experience
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Orange Barrel Media (OBM) creates and operates iconic urban media displays that advertisers ask for by name in top U.S. markets. Since our founding in 2004, OBM has pioneered a community-oriented model of outdoor media development and is nationally recognized by cities and real estate owners alike seeking to implement premier media programs that add to the character of urban places. In the advertising community, OBM is widely recognized as the owner of the highest impact and most memorable advertising locations in the cities where it operates.
The OBM team is also a leader in smart city infrastructure, launching the Interactive Kiosk Experience (IKE) platform in concert with cities across the U.S. through the company IKE Smart City. IKE is a best-in-class public engagement platform that helps cities communicate with the public, enliven the pedestrian experience, and tell the story of their city. The core pillars of the IKE platform are public benefit and social equity, values that we seek to maximize in every IKE market to achieve city objectives and exceed community expectations.
We are a place where people are inspired to achieve success, genuinely like each other, and have endless opportunities to grow.
Learn more at www.obm.com and www.ikesmartcity.com.