Meet Espen Gjessing
“My function is the last stop before construction and build are allowed to start. We are responsible for getting the permits that are necessary to make the project happen.
It’s hectic, sometimes a bit stressful, but most of all fun and exciting. We are there from the start of the project to the end.”
Espen Gjessing, BA in Mechatronics from Agder University
As a permitting consultant, I work with projects across our disciplines. Most of my projects are within transportation, buildings and industry. Big projects that involve several disciplines, can be highly complex and require that you work fast and deliver a lot of solutions on a tight deadline.
Working like that is not for everyone, but I like the challenges and being under pressure. I like that I get involved in new projects and get to work with different people. Every task more or less follows the same template; it’s kind of a square culture where we go through the same steps every time. At the same time, everything is new because each task has its own challenges.
Check our open positions in Transportation. We are looking for engineers and specialists in different disciplines and different regions:
“Our job is to spot challenges or mistakes in projects that others don't catch. We focus on quality and doing things right. And we don’t compromise when it comes to things that could cause problems or mistakes.”
Join Espen and become part of COWI in Norway
Being responsible for permitting means we are the ones who obtain the permits needed to build and construct the project. We manage contact with the authorities and make sure everything can be done according to the Planning and Building Acts, specific local acts and conditions and any other applicable legislation.
To do that, we need to know what the different disciplines on the project are doing. To be in control of everything that’s going on, so to speak. It’s our job to know what tasks we are responsible for, but also to know what our responsibility is not. That way, we make sure all areas and tasks are covered – also the areas that aren’t part of the project scope of work.
I mainly work on large-scale projects in transportation, buildings and industry. Most transportation projects are big – railroads, roads, airports and so on – with more than one discipline involved. That’s my favourite kind of work because it means I have to be in touch with different specialists to understand every part of the project. It’s challenging, but it’s also what makes my job fun and rewarding.
Today, we are a fairly small team, and all are working closely together. People have strong opinions and want to be heard, but it’s in a positive way where people are engaged, professional and want us to succeed together. When you get a permit on a difficult part of a project, it almost feels like a victory that warrants celebration.
Permitting is an area that’s becoming increasingly important. There’s growing awareness about the need to build responsibly, and legislation and plans are here to make sure that happens. As engineering consultants, we will also be required to work proactively in the area, which means our team will continue to grow in the coming years.
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