RIGHT OF WAY AGENT to be hired by our client, on a contract basis, located in Houston Texas, USA.
Industry Sector: Oil & Gas
PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify Property Owners - Before a construction or maintenance project begins, such as laying an oil pipeline or building a road, right of way agents review the project proposal and use mapping software to understand what property will be affected. They then determine ownership of the properties by accessing public records.
- Negotiate Acquisition of Property Rights - Establishing a positive relationship with property owners is crucial to advancing a project smoothly. Right of way agents take time to explain what exactly the project entails, then answer any questions an affected property owner may have. Whether the property rights are being bought or leased, right of way agents research the property's value before making the owner an offer.
- Secure Permits and Licenses - Making sure that a project is compliant with local and state laws is also the responsibility of a right of way agent. They coordinate consultations with local officials, inspectors, and assessors to determine which permits and licenses they will need, then organise and deliver all the required documents for obtaining such permits.
- Review Progress of Projects - The right of way agent's job continues even while the project is underway. They routinely inspect the worksite to ensure that the project remains compliant with laws and permits, as well as to mitigate damages to property.
- Settle Damage Claims - If a project causes damage to property, right of way agents receive and process claims from property owners. Right of way agents draw upon their knowledge of the property both before and during the project to assess the legitimacy of the claim, then offer a settlement for the damages.
EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
- Right of way agents are highly effective communicators and problem solvers who possess a strong understanding of local real estate and construction laws.
- Legal knowledge - From land rights to permits, right of way agents must be able to understand different types of legal documentation needed to begin a construction or maintenance project in their region.
- Map reading - Right of way agents are adept at interpreting maps, blueprints, and property records to ensure that they are securing the appropriate rights and permits for a project.
- Research - Long stints in courthouses or online databases may be necessary for determining property ownership and securing records, so right of way agents should be adept researchers.
- Document management - Right of way agents deal with many documents and processes at all stages of a project, and therefore must be highly organized and efficient coordinators.
- Analytical ability - complex problems may arise during projects, such as conflicting interests between property owners and utility companies, so it's up to right of way agents to analyse alternative approaches and offer solutions that are agreeable to all involved
- Communication skills - right of way agents must not only be able to negotiate with property owners for the acquisition of land rights, but must be able to tactfully settle claims if there is property damage during projects
- Office suite software (including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook)
- Computer aided design software (such as AutoCAD)
- Map creation software (a Geographic Information System like ArcGIS)
- Web-based mapping platforms (these include Google Earth, Mapbox)
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