Right of Way Specialist (Mid-Senior)

About the role

PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain its commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability, inclusion and belonging. This position is available at multiple levels; applicants will be considered for the level that best matches their education and experience.

Responsibilities

Right of Way Specialist responsibilities include:

• Negotiate and acquire easements, rights of way, licenses, leases, access agreements, permits, and other land rights necessary to support utility operations, maintenance, and capital projects.
• Research, analyze, and interpret ownership records, title reports, legal descriptions, surveys, plats, permits, and other land rights documents to support acquisitions and land management activities.
• Serve as the primary contact for landowners, agencies, and stakeholders, resolving encroachments, trespass claims, access issues, permitting matters, and other right of way concerns while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Maintain accurate right of way records, documentation, permitting requirements, compliance obligations, and critical milestones within company systems.
• Support construction, maintenance, and project teams by securing property rights, evaluating costs and land acquisition alternatives, and resolving land-related constraints.
• Collaborate with engineering, environmental, legal, regulatory, and project management teams to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, company standards, and industry best practices.

Senior Right of Way Specialist responsibilities include, in addition to the above:

• Lead complex right of way acquisition, land management, and stakeholder engagement initiatives involving significant operational, financial, regulatory, or public impacts.
• Manage high-profile negotiations with major landowners, tribal entities, public agencies, developers, government organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop acquisition strategies, recommend risk mitigation measures, and partner with leadership, legal counsel, and project teams to support successful project execution.
• Mentor, assign work to, and provide technical guidance for Career-Level Right of Way Specialists.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and company representative, utilizing advanced communication, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills to balance stakeholder interests with business objectives.

Requirements

Right of Way Specialist requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Land Management, Finance, Law, Geography, Environmental Studies, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three years of experience in right of way, land management, real estate, permitting, utility land services, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of right of way acquisition, easements, permitting, title review, land rights administration, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ability to interpret legal descriptions, title reports, surveys, plats, maps, and other real property documents; conduct ownership research; and analyze land rights issues.
• Strong communication, customer service, negotiation, research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with computer applications, databases, and land records management systems used to support right of way activities.
• Valid driver’s license.

Senior Right of Way Specialist requirements include, in addition to the above:

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in utility right of way, land acquisition, title research, permitting, valuation, and land rights administration.
• Advanced knowledge of title analysis, ownership research, survey interpretation, land rights evaluation, property valuation principles, condemnation processes, and utility corridor management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, competing priorities, and high-value negotiations while providing leadership, coaching, and project direction.
• Proven success building credibility and trust with landowners, agencies, community stakeholders, and internal customers through strong communication, public engagement, and conflict-resolution skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications for the Right of Way Specialist include:

• Experience with utility right of way acquisition, land management, permitting, easement administration, and land records management systems.
• Knowledge of electric transmission and distribution infrastructure, GIS applications, county recording procedures, and title reporting practices.
• IRWA designation or progress toward certification.

Preferred qualifications for the Senior Right of Way Specialist include:

• SR/WA designation or equivalent industry certification.
• Experience leading large-scale transmission, distribution, renewable energy, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Advanced training in project management, utility land rights, real estate, surveying, GIS, AutoCAD, or related disciplines.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k with match fixed contributions, including a Roth and saving option; for union employees, matching contributions vary by union; for nonunion, PacifiCorp makes a fixed contribution equal to 4% of eligible pay each year for new hires and matches 100% of the first 6% you contribute
• Life insurance
• Additional voluntary benefits, including pet insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Mass Transit Pass for employees in Portland and Salt Lake City offices

Work Life Balance

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) – varies by employee type (Union or Non-Union)
• Paid short-term disability leave and long-term disability insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance Program supporting mental and emotional wellbeing