Land Agent (Job Family)

NiSource•Merrillville, IN

11h•Remote

About The Position

This position is for a Land Agent within a job family, open to hiring at any level. The primary responsibility is to coordinate survey and land functions, involving contact and negotiation with landowners, their agents, or attorneys for various agreements essential to company operations. This includes acquiring and/or disposing of land rights and negotiating damage claims resulting from the construction, operation, and maintenance of Company Facilities. The role is remote, requiring the candidate to reside in Indiana. NiSource is a large employer serving nearly four million customers, committed to an inclusive and innovative environment that fosters growth.

Requirements

1-3 years of appropriate work experience for Land Agent I.
1-3 years of appropriate work experience for Land Agent II, with an additional requirement of 1 year experience as a NiSource Land Agent or Contractor for NiSource.
Customer service experience.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Proficient interpretation and analyses of land documents.
Superior organizational skills.
Analytical and decision-making skills.
Proven positive team player.
Demonstrated initiative with results orientation.
Strong problem solving skills.
Compliance with all Local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws regarding requirements for Real Estate Brokerage Licensing where applicable.
Valid Drivers License Upon Hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree
Experience in acquisition, abstracting and property protection

Responsibilities

Contact property owners or their legal representative to negotiate and obtain rights-of-way, easements, leases, railroad agreements, options to purchase, etc.
Disburse company funds in payment for land rights and damage settlements to property owners.
Notify landowners of planned company activity on their property, as needed.
Negotiate relocation of facilities and/or reimbursable projects.
Settle minor damage claims.
Develop knowledge in acquisition of property, easements and leases.
Assist project engineers in establishing construction routes and determining availability for property needed for new or replacement construction.
Act as liaison when investigating and resolving minor encroachments and landowner complaints.
Negotiate the termination of domestic gas service from local distribution company facilities, converting consumer to alternate fuel source.
Perform routine examination of courthouse records.
Interpret land documents while developing more complex knowledge.
Read project plans, maps, topographic maps, etc.
Protect the integrity of the company’s land rights by working with developers and third parties.
Collectively provide Land Services support across the organization.
Serve as liaison and representative of NiSource local distribution company with governmental agencies, private organizations and individuals.
Coordinate appraisals, investigate/appraise crop, timber, and property damages caused by maintenance and construction activities, and respond to land owner complaints.
Assist with the training and development of land agents.
Draft permit applications clearly and precisely for projects.
Coordinate and/or conduct monitoring and field investigations needed to support permit applications and assure compliance with existing permits, when applicable.
Participate in project planning process and identify natural resources related regulatory requirements needed for the successful completion of Gas or Electric projects.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory guidelines and company policies and procedures.
Conduct environmental reviews for corporate Land Right Transfer due diligence program.
Manage and/or assist with the management of third party land agents / contractors.
Review, for quality and accuracy, land rights agreements and/or permits secured by both in-house and contract land agents / contractors.
Coordinate changes in legal documents with company legal department.
Assist in-house and contract land agents / contractors with difficult land right acquisitions / permits.
Drive functional consistency process standardization and operational excellence.
Perform leader functions during times of leader’s absence.
Support and apply all safety guidelines and be a champion for safety and support a strong safety culture.