Right of Way Agent

Coates Field Service, Inc. is seeking an experienced Right of Way Agent to support a client’s distribution and transmission projects. This is an in-office position with per diem available. Multiple positions are available.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, negotiate, acquire, defend, and ensure legal recording and enforcement of property rights required for electric, gas, or communication infrastructure.
• Document all communication with landowners (in-person meetings, email, phone) and capture project updates and progress on each affected parcel using existing and future software and physical files.
• Engage landowners to mitigate encroachments on rights of way.
• Prepare or assist in preparing and securing state, highway, railroad, county, town, city, or village permits, including tree-clearing permits, for use of lands owned by governmental agencies, the public, or other utilities.
• Investigate, negotiate, and acquire leases, licenses, and permits for network infrastructure, staging areas for storm or construction laydown areas, railroads, and canal crossing permits.
• Manage document workflow involving legal document filing, recording, parceling, indexing, and retrieval.
• Coordinate and process payments to landowners for property rights through internal workflow.
• Investigate electric and gas franchise agreements and boundary lines.
• Obtain right of entry and survey permission from private landowners; potentially negotiate and acquire property rights for transmission and distribution projects.
• Respond to internal and external stakeholder inquiries related to property rights.
• Review and process executed documents according to client requirements, including requesting payment remittance and recording.
• Serve as a legal witness as necessary for condemnation or other proceedings.
• Perform other job duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of real estate principles gained through education and experience.
• Must have a NY Notary Public License or the ability to obtain it within 3 months of hiring.
• Ability to travel regularly.

Skills

• Preferred:
  • Working knowledge of drafting and negotiating property rights documents, including rights-of-way, easements, leases, purchases, and sale agreements.
  • Strong understanding of electric transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution principles as related to right-of-way and land rights.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency in multiple forms of technology, including project databases, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Earth, etc.
  • Ability to plot metes and bounds descriptions of property and read a variety of maps (electronic and paper).
  • Ability to evaluate, interpret, and analyze engineering and right-of-way drawings.
  • Ability to interpret and research (abstract) legal documents.
  • Skilled in property rights research methods, including courthouse searches for recorded documents and internet research.
  • Ability to determine valuation of crops, timber, etc., for damage settlement.
• Right of Way Agents may have prior experience as attorneys, paralegals, real estate, or land professionals, working in industries such as electric utility power, communication companies, pipeline, engineering firms, or government agencies specializing in land development.

About the Company

Coates has a 76-year history providing comprehensive land acquisition and right-of-way services to municipalities, utilities, energy providers, and oil and gas companies nationwide. Recognized as a leader in the land and right-of-way acquisition industry, Coates operates in all 50 states with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and regional offices throughout the United States. The company is committed to delivering professional, high-quality, and cost-efficient services.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short-term/long-term disability (STD/LTD) and life insurance.
• Paid time off and company-paid holidays.