Right of Way Agent (In-House)

Coates Field Service, Inc. is seeking an experienced Right of Way of Agent for day-to-day right of way duties for a pipeline project located in Houston, Texas. The successful candidate will be experienced in pipeline projects, acquiring linear right of way for private landowners, and able to adapt to tight deadlines to meet project deliverables. This will be a hybrid position with in-office work required.

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities:

- Identifies land ownership from both company and public records, including contact information.

- Researches, reviews, and analyzes land title; identify defects and outlines curative: ability to read title opinions and appraisals.

- Understands and interprets property legal descriptions, and is able to find properties based on GIS data.

- Ensures existing land obligation renewals are completed, by negotiating, forecasting, documenting, and paying on time (or early).

- Negotiates the acquisition of right-of-way and other property interests, as necessary to accommodate the construction, operation, and maintenance of company facilities, in such a manner to minimize litigation.

- Understanding of project related needs to include permits, sites, electrical and crossing agreements.

- Negotiates property damage settlements, as well as the damage release, and loss claims associated with capital projects and day-to-day pipeline operations necessary to maintain company facilities.

- Analyzes and negotiates agreements with local entities to accommodate the construction, operation and maintenance of company facilities and works with our internal finance group to ensure payments are completed on time.

- Secures local permits necessary for the construction and maintenance of company facilities.

- Reviews, prepares, analyzes, and interprets all Land and Right-of-Way related agreements, deeds, easements, leases, franchises, permits & licenses, title certificates, contracts, etc.

- Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in performing all aspects of land and right-of-way, with direct experience in the pipeline industry supporting operational and sustaining capital projects and FERC regulated and non-regulated projects; and having work experience with federal agencies, tribes, and/or railroad entities.

- Must have demonstrable experience reading and interpreting land contracts and documents, including payment terms, to develop renewal strategies and plans.

- Must have organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks and manage workload and reporting.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills.

- Self-starting individual who follows directions and procedures, adheres to a work schedule and can focus on details.

- Must be flexible and able to work effectively in a team environment and consistently maintain a professional and respectful demeanor / attitude with co-workers, and

outside contacts and regulatory agencies.

- Possess analytical and reconciliation skills, necessary for problem solving and decision making.

- Be able to successfully perform multiple tasks with abbreviated deadlines.

- Must be able to understand financial impacts of decisions and courses of action, results oriented.

- Strong computer skills desired due to use of various Microsoft Applications, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and other internal software and database daily usage, as well as familiarity with ESRI based GIS systems and the ability to utilize them for ROW related tasks pertinent to this job.

Who We Are:

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. The first firm of its kind, we are widely recognized as a leader in the land and right of way acquisition industry. A national corporation, Coates has the depth of knowledge and the agility to respond to client needs in all 50 states. Coates is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with regional offices located throughout the United States. It is our mission to provide professional, high-quality, cost-efficient land acquisition and right of way services our clients need, when and where they need us.

Coates is committed to rewarding the loyalty of the national team of Coates’ Employees. Coates hires the best candidates available for all positions, without regard to the individual's race, religion, or sexual preference, or orientation. Coates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Coates offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package, including medical/dental, vision, STD/LTD, life insurance, paid time off, company-paid holidays, and more!