Job Description

Audubon is currently seeking a Right of Way Agent, Senior to join our team in our Houston, TX Office. This role will perform right of way activities for the negotiation, acquisition and maintenance of right of way necessary to perform pipeline, road, power line, cable and other related projects.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Responsibility will include:

• Conduct or acquire title searches and research public records to identify land owners affected by project and determine property rights and descriptions.
• Order and review title reports and review title searches for accuracy and any conflicting issues such as vesting of ownership, existing easements, judgments, covenants, conditions and restrictions, liens and encumbrances that may impact the project.
• Direct the recordation of legal documents for property purchase or sale easement acquisitions.
• Contact the owners of interests in lands regarding the acquisition of real property rights, amendment of rights, defense of rights, notifications of entry, settlement of claims, and such related other matters as determined by the company.
• Obtain right of way authorization from property owners and secure necessary access to property.
• Acquire temporary rights of entry for field studies and temporary easements by rental or lease to provide construction staging areas.
• Negotiate the extension or relinquishment of temporary construction easements and draft relinquishment documents.
• Discuss with property owners the process, timeline, access and equipment requirements of the project. Serve as point of contact and address any questions, issues or property damage concerns expressed by the land owner.
• Keep land owners abreast of project status and timeline changes.
• Negotiate with property owners, tenants, attorneys and permit agencies for the purchase, lease, donation or acquisition of easements of real property and/or property rights.
• Conduct all negotiations in a professional manner and in good faith.
• Provide proper notifications to property owners and inform owners of their rights, applicable laws and regulations.
• Coordinate 'before and after' surveys to ensure properties are left as required following temporary use.
• Address complaints by land owners and respond by investigating all complaints and taking remedial action upon consulting with company management.
• Negotiate claim settlements with owners and research market values to determine if settlements are appropriate.
• Prepare necessary affidavits such as descent and distribution, identity, use and adverse possession as required.
• Draft and/or review legal instruments for conveyance of rights of way including deeds, mortgages, and purchase contracts.
• Review legal descriptions, easement documents, deeds and other documents for acquisition of property and easements.
• Read and interpret maps and property descriptions.
• Provide assistance in resolving right of way and easement related disputes.
• May appear as a witness in litigation.
• Inspect affected property and identify implications of the project on the property and/or structures.
• Estimate areas of possible or potential damage in advance of construction, and accumulate information as to any damages occurring during construction, gathering data necessary to determine value of damages such as current market values.
• Develop relocation plans and negotiate with land owners, tenants and attorneys when displacement occurs due to project scope.
• Provide land owners and tenants displaced by projects advice on approved relocation assistance available in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Maintain relocation assistance records as required
• Note and inform supervisor of violations of easement terms by construction personnel.
• Arrange for the maintenance, protection, sale and removal of structures and/or vegetation within acquired ROW.
• Identify and provide detail of all required construction permits and permit requirements, and acquire permits as directed.
• Prepare adequate reports of daily activity and provide additional reporting as necessary to document difficult negotiations for easements, damage settlements and/or permit acquisition.
• Recommend and initiate condemnation processes where necessary; prepare legal documents for inclusion in condemnation packages submitted to court; confer with legal counsel on such matters to ensure that documents conform to legal requirements may appear as witness during court hearings.
• Perform preliminary appraisal research, title research, survey permitting and field title curative.
• Comply with all company and client health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) standards as well as federal and local HSSE regulations.
• Actively participate in company and client hazard identification and observation programs, and immediately report any unsafe acts, conditions or incidents to your supervisor.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for the position:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 3+ years' of experience in the ROW field preferred.
• Knowledge to examine public records to determine surface ownership rights required.
• Ability to negotiate with landowners, tenants, attorneys and permit agencies to meet project objectives required.
• Ability to maintain orderly documentation and ROW acquisition records required.
• Proficient in Windows based software and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access) to complete document preparation, project reporting, presentations, and general research required.
• Proficient in the acquisition of pipeline, power line, communication and surface easements and fee land purchases.
• Familiarity with condemnation procedures preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Knowledge to understand the legal agreements associated with any given project and legal documents of any nature pertaining to ROW.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Working at Audubon