Commercial Underwriter – Renewables Team (remote)

First American•New York, IL

11d•$97,700 - $130,300•Remote

About The Position

First American's Direct division is seeking a Commercial Underwriter to support energy and renewable energy transactions. This role involves applying underwriting and title insurance expertise to assist in the development, financing, acquisition, and closing of energy projects. The position focuses on transactions related to solar, wind, battery storage, transmission, utility-scale development, distributed generation, and other energy assets where land rights and real property interests are crucial. The underwriter will identify, analyze, and resolve title issues impacting site control, project financing, construction, operation, or transfer of these assets. Collaboration with internal teams, title partners, escrow professionals, customers, and outside counsel is essential throughout the title process, from search and review to commitment, endorsement, policy, and closing. This is an opportunity to contribute to a specialized and growing area of the energy market, supporting renewable energy transactions that demand accuracy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of complex property records and land rights.

Requirements

5-7 years title underwriting experience, commercial experience preferred.
Experience with title transactions involving energy, renewable energy, utilities, land acquisition, project finance, energy infrastructure, or large multi-site portfolios.
Strong understanding of title insurance concepts, commitments, policies, endorsements, exceptions, and closing requirements.
Familiarity with real property interests commonly involved in energy projects, such as leases, easements, access rights, mineral rights, survey matters, and legal descriptions.
Ability to analyze complex property records and identify title matters that may affect development, financing, construction, operation, or transfer of energy assets.
Natural curiosity and an interest in researching property history, land rights, ownership, and recorded documents.
Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate issues, gather information, and support practical resolutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with internal teams, customers, underwriting partners, escrow professionals, and outside counsel.
Ability to navigate internal and external resources to answer questions and resolve title issues.
Professional, customer-focused approach with a positive and solutions-oriented attitude.
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple transactions and priorities.
Comfort guiding, supporting, and sharing knowledge with others as they grow in the title insurance field.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to quickly adapt to new software applications and technologies.
Flexibility, organization, and the ability to multitask while handling multiple aspects of title support.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Renewable energy transaction experience is strongly preferred.
Experience with utility-scale solar, wind, battery storage, transmission, project finance, land acquisition, or energy infrastructure matters is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide underwriting support and authorization to company personnel and customers for the issuance of real estate title insurance commitments and policies.
Underwrite the issuance of title insurance using underwriting standards and guidelines within delegated authority limits.
Review complete title searches for energy and renewable energy transactions in accordance with local practices and corporate standards.
Analyze property records, including liens, judgments, easements, leases, mineral rights, access rights, tax records, surveys, vital statistics, and other documents affecting real property.
Review legal descriptions, vesting, encumbrances, exceptions, leasehold interests, site control documents, and other title matters affecting energy and renewable energy projects.
Identify title issues that may impact project development, financing, acquisition, construction, operation, or closing.
Support transactions involving solar, wind, battery storage, transmission, utility-scale development, distributed generation, and other energy-related assets.
Review and approve documentation including deeds, leases, easements, operating agreements, corporate resolutions, affidavits, curative documents, and other transaction-related instruments.
Select appropriate write-ups for commitments and policies for both standard and extended coverage.
Properly price commitments, endorsements, policies, and guarantees using the appropriate schedule of fees and charges.
Coordinate with title, escrow, legal, and customer teams to resolve title issues and move transactions forward.
Communicate clearly with internal and external partners regarding title requirements, exceptions, curative needs, and closing-related matters.
Consult with attorneys to review search packages and escalate matters requiring legal guidance in some regions or locations.