Lead Right-of-Way (ROW) Coordinator

About the role

The Lead Right-of-Way (ROW) Coordinator supports delivery of transportation projects by managing and coordinating all right-of-way activities required to advance projects from design through construction.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate early identification of ROW needs during planning and preliminary design, including permanent ROW, temporary construction easements (TCEs), access easements, drainage easements, and utility easements required for UDOT projects.
• Review roadway design layouts and construction limits to identify potential ROW impacts and collaborate with designers to minimize acquisitions where feasible.
• Cover with UDOT project managers and UDOT ROW staff to confirm ROW approach, acquisition strategy, and certification path for each project.
• Serve as a liaison between the design team, UDOT ROW staff, acquisition consultants, and property owners to maintain progress and clear communication.
• Support and coordinate the ROW acquisition process, including parcel tracking, title review coordination, appraisal support, and acquisition schedule development.
• Review existing easements and property documents to identify restrictions or conditions that could affect design, construction staging, or utility placement.
• Coordinate with UDOT and contractors on access constraints, temporary use areas, and restoration requirements.
• Maintain detailed ROW tracking logs identifying acquisition status, possession, easement execution, and clearance milestones.
• Support preparation of ROW certification documentation consistent with UDOT requirements before project letting.
• Clearly communicate ROW status, risks, and outstanding actions to project managers and discipline leads.
• Identify ROW as a critical path activity and proactively escalate acquisition or access risks that could impact design completion or letting dates.
• Coordinate phased ROW or early access strategies, where appropriate, to support utility relocations or construction sequencing.
• Work closely with the Utility Manager to ensure ROW availability aligns with utility agreements and relocation schedules.
• Support construction by coordinating ROW access questions, resolving property related issues, and assisting with post letting ROW clarifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, planning, real estate, geography, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7-10 years of relevant post-education experience in a related management role within our industry.
• 3–7+ years of experience supporting right of way activities on transportation projects, preferably for State DOT or local public agency clients.
• Working knowledge of ROW acquisition, easements, access control, and relocation processes for publicly funded projects.
• Experience coordinating with DOT staff, property owners, consultants, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to track multiple parcels and milestones concurrently.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills; ability to “clarify, not assume,” and work collaboratively across varied personalities and priorities.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make assessments and calculations involving the application of project management principles, with a sound understanding of intent, impact, and optimal outcomes.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and adjusting readily to the changing prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Competent with technical writing, office automation, relevant software, MS Office suite products (e.g., Word, Excel, Visio, Project, SharePoint), technology, spreadsheets, and PM tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience on UDOT or UTA projects.
• Familiarity with ROW certification requirements.
• Understanding of how ROW, utilities, environmental clearance, and permitting intersect on roadway projects.
• Utah Real Estate License.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.