Real Estate Specialist / Right of Way Agent

About the Role

The Right of Way (ROW) Agent works under the guidance of a Lead Agent or ROW Supervisor and brings solid experience in survey permission, acquisition, and title research. This role is responsible for acquiring, researching, and managing land rights essential for public or private infrastructure projects—including utilities, transportation, and energy. The agent negotiates with landowners, conducts thorough title research, ensures compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and collaborates effectively with team members while demonstrating autonomy and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research, negotiation, and acquisition of short‑ and long‑term land leases and right‑of‑way agreements to support construction projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Identify and verify various land ownership interests, including surface ownership and locations, by reviewing and interpreting engineered drawings, title research packets, and online records.
• Oversee all land‑related legal matters, including transfers of titles and deeds, construction, mortgage concerns, zoning, and interpretation of easements and associated land rights.
• Clearly explain legal terminology to stakeholders and assess risk in negotiations.
• Manage resolutions and prepare legal forms for land acquisitions, applying creativity and professional judgment as needed.
• Prepare thorough daily activity reports and special agent’s reports documenting complex negotiations for easements and damage settlements.
• Perform internal and external due diligence to ensure accuracy and completeness of land rights, proactively identifying deficiencies and recommending remedial action.
• Serve as liaison with client engineers, landowners, and tenants regarding ownership, easement rights, damage claims, and access issues, demonstrating advanced communication and negotiation skills.
• Utilize company and client policies, procedures, and technology tools such as MS Office, Maximo, Google Earth, GISMO, and county GIS/ROD applications.
• Review third‑party development plans and relevant right‑of‑way records (easements, permits, etc.) to identify and resolve conflicts.
• Maintain up‑to‑date status with designated upper‑level agents or project managers/supervisors to ensure assignments are completed according to client procedures.
• Demonstrate flexibility to accommodate customer schedules for site visits or remote discussions, maintain organized notes and records, and uphold professionalism and integrity in all interactions.
• Ensure compliance with real estate brokerage licensing requirements for each state represented, utilizing licensed agents for land‑right acquisition contracts as needed.
• Hold or be willing to acquire a valid notary service to facilitate prompt execution of land agreements by landowners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Active NC Real Estate License required.
• Minimum one year of relevant industry experience.
• Solid understanding of right‑of‑way laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Familiarity with settlement instruments, contract terms, and various land‑related agreements (fee simple, leases, permits, etc.).
• Experience with acquisition and relocation documents and processes.
• Ability to plan, organize, and adapt workload; work independently with minimal supervision.
• Capability to complete right‑of‑way transactions with oversight as needed.
• Skilled in interpreting alignment sheets, plats, and performing land title research.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; customer‑focused.
• Sound judgment, confidentiality, and detail‑oriented approach.
• Effective time management and organized record‑keeping.
• Collaborative team player, willing to take on new responsibilities.
• Regular attendance and schedule flexibility as required by projects.
• Compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Spends 75% of the time in an office or remote environment and 25% in the field.
• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Occasional standing, walking, and actions such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching may be necessary.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.